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How can triggerfishes be distinguished from filefishes by their dorsal spines and teeth?
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tetraodontiform
Scrawled filefish (Aluterus scriptus)
Within the order Tetraodontiformes, triggerfishes (family Balistidae) and filefishes (family Monacanthidae) can be distinguished by the following anatomical differences:
- Dorsal Spines: Triggerfishes possess three dorsal spines, whereas filefishes have only two. In both groups, the first spine is large and erectile, and it can be locked into an upright position by the second spine.123
- Teeth: Triggerfishes typically have eight outer teeth in each jaw. In contrast, filefishes have six or fewer outer teeth in each jaw.1
These structural characteristics are key diagnostic features used to classify these related marine fishes.1