How to know whether a triggerfish is about to attack?

[dive_lover88]

Ain't we lucky that triggerfish ain't the size of sharks?

 

[Tobagoman]

I had a Picasso Triggerfish attack me in the South Pacific. It charged a few times and I thought; "check out this spastic fish", then it decided that I wasn't intimitdated and on the next run hit the back of my hand, when I looked down at it there was a chunk missing and blood flowing. I got the message and skedadled out of his territory!

 

[Mrs.Prages]

Could someone please post a picture of a damsel fish, stuck here in the office it is hard to remember waht I am remembering?

I want to be sure I know when to keep my fingers tucked in.

Thanks

 

[Mick_O]

Could someone please post a picture of a damsel fish

The images at the bottom of this page show some, but these ones are no doubt grown in captivity. Wild dam(n)sels are bigger.

 

[Hank49]

The Giant Triggerfish I had come close just came out of nowhere. I think it is a sneak attack, a quick nip (through your wetsuit) and an attempt to scare you away. But I've swam by many that give you that kind of "side eye" look. They weren't nesting so it wasn't a problem.

 

[bgi]

Nothing packs more attitude per oz than certain types of pseudochromis/dottyback. Tank-raised fridmani or orchid dottybacks are about the tamest in the bunch. I've had one for a couple years. They are really beautiful small fish.

Some pictures here for ID
<http://www.marinedepotlive.com/fish-pseudochromis-dottyback.html>

Second in line are dam(n)selfish.

 

[CA Diver]

My wife, who does not dive, is always worring about sharks. I keep telling her that the only two times that I have been bitten are by a Garibaldi (a damsel) in Catalina and a Piccasso Triggerfish in Guam. Both were protecting their nest / Egg patch.

If your see a triggerfish, It is pretty much planning its attack, unless it has completed the planning before you noticed it which means "prepare to be reammed or bitten.