Expert: LocoFisherman - 12/23/2007

Question
You said you had Florida experience and that was the only thing I saw that related to my question. I know it isn't about south east Florida but I caught a trigger fish on the Sunshine Skyway pier and I can't seem to Identify it. here is a link to it http://picasaweb.google.com/skywaypiers/NorthPierPictures/photo#5144982485948047...

Answer
Nice catch. Here's some info on the trigger fish you caught.

The gray triggerfish was originally described by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788 who named it Balistes carolinensis. The name was later revised to Balistes capriscus. Synonyms include B. forcipatus Gmelin 1788, B. spilotopterygius Walbaum 1792, B. buniva Lacepede 1803, B. caprinus Valenciennes 1836, B. fuliginosus DeKay 1842, B. taeniopterus Poey 1860, B. powellii Cope 1870, and B. moribundus Cope 1871. These final two synonyms were originally used to describe individuals that were both juveniles of B. capriscus.
     Juvenile gray triggerfish are yellowish with small violet dots. At lengths less than 50 mm, large, irregular dark patches form on the body and the fins are tinted with yellow, blue, and olive or the second dorsal, anal, and caudal fin membranes are translucent. Saddle markings interspersed with light spots also appear on the dorsal and anal fins.The primary body color of adult gray triggerfish is light gray to olive-gray to yellowish-brown. This fish appears dull gray while swimming in open waters, however it has the ability to change its coloration slightly to match other surroundings. There are three faint broad dark blotches on upper body and often white dots and lines on the lower body and fins. Blue spots and lines are located on the upper body and dorsal fin. There is a pale narrow band on the chin and the upper rim of the eye is blue. The dorsal and anal fins appear marbled in color. Gray triggerfish fade in color as they age.
Thanks for your question and happy holidays.