โ† Fish Guide
Grey Triggerfish
Photo: Diego Delso ยท CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Wikimedia Commons
๐Ÿ—

Grey Triggerfish

ุงู„ุฎู†ุฒูŠุฑุฉ / ุงู„ุญู„ูˆู

Khanzira / Hallouf

Beginnerโœ“ CommonBalistidae

The triggerfish is the tough, pig-faced reef fish Egyptian anglers call 'Khanzira' or 'Hallouf' (the pig), after its blunt snout and powerful jaws. It uses strong teeth to crush crabs, urchins and shellfish โ€” and to bite straight through hooks and bait. Stubborn on the line and surprisingly good eating.

Local names ยท what anglers actually call it

ุงู„ุฎู†ุฒูŠุฑุฉ / ุงู„ุญู„ูˆูKhanzira / Hallouf

'the pig' โ€” both names paired with Balistes capriscus by an Egyptian fishing team

source: Stanly Fishing Team (Egypt, Facebook) โ†—
ุฎู†ุฒูŠุฑKhanzir

FishBase lists 'Khanzir' for Egypt under Balistes capriscus

source: FishBase โ†—

Size

20โ€“45 cm

Depth

2โ€“60 m

Record weight

up to 6 kg

Habitat

Reefs, wrecks, rocky bottoms, harbour walls

Best seasons

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Fishing techniques

Bottom fishingFloat fishing

Baits & lures

SquidCrabShrimpFish strips

Did you know?

A triggerfish can lock its first dorsal spine upright with a second 'trigger' spine โ€” wedging itself into reef cracks so predators can't pull it out. Its strong teeth shred most light hooks.