Trigger fish while diving...

[badassbill]

Has anyone known triggers to attack divers? I know in the aquarium world, they are one of the most aggresive. They make pirahnas look like school kids. Off Flordia, on the gulf side, I remember seeing HUGE Triggers a foot in length. No one seemed to pay them any attention, but I know what they can do with those teeth and never took my eyes off them or approached them.
Are they different in the wild?

 

[H2Andy]

yes, i've heard quite a few stories from reliable sources of triggers suddenly
taking a bite at you. has never happened to me personally, though.

it's mostly related to defense of their territory, from what i understand.

 

[getwet2]

I've also heard stories from some friends who were dive instructors in Eygpt. They said if you got to close to their territory they would come after you! Yikes

 

[archman]

There is an incredibly long thread regarding this topic... I think it finally fizzled out in January.

 

[DandyDon]

It happens. Some species in the Indo-Pacific are the worst, I've read. If you want to play it safe, don't crowd the Trigger, and just in case - wear a beanie that protects your ears.

The only fish bites I've ever incurred were from a Texas Tetra - a 2" long member of the characin family, same as piranhas, with strong teeth and jaws - on the ear during OW, ouch, and a 4" Seargant Major who thought I was too close to her egg next. But most fish have the ability to attack or defend; one of the reasons we are taught to leave them alone...

 

[jagfish]

There is an incredibly long thread regarding this topic... I think it finally fizzled out in January.

Yeah, you should check out this thread. Some pretty funny and shocking stories...

JAG

 

[H2Andy]

here's one such thread:

http://scubaboard.com/t2039.html

 

[Kim]

Diving from Tioman, Malaysia you see Triggers on almost every dive - and it's best to be very wary and give them a lot of space. Most of the DM's/Instructors there sport small scars, typically on their foreheads. They seem to go for your mask/eyes. Also they don't like strobes at all and will often attack photographers.

 

[drbill]

Yes, triggerfish are considered more dangerous than sharks by many divers in Polynesia. They apparently only attack if you swim over the conical volume of water above their nest sites on the bottom. I was "attacked" by some in Moorea a few years ago, although it was easy to drive them off by kicking backwards with your fins in their direction. I heard stories about the larger species taking chunks out of legs and fins.

Dr. Bill

 

[archman]

The only fish bites I've ever incurred were from a Texas Tetra - a 2" long member of the characin family, same as piranhas, with strong teeth and jaws - on the ear during OW

I didn't know there were any texas tetras. Are you referring to Mexican Tetras? Astyanyx mexicana.