Finescale Triggerfish
Its listed range reaches northern California, and iNaturalist holds 55 California records from 2017 to 2025. 2026 has brought as many California records since July as the 3 years before combined.
Sightings
2026 season, every one sourced
Southern California
- Oct 28, 2026La Jolla CanyonJuvenileSource: Jon Malgaya photo, sent to Nick, Oct 28
- Oct 26, 2026Redondo Beach6 records from 1 diver
- Oct 23, 2026Redondo Beach and San Diego County
- Oct 19 and 21, 2026San Diego County
- Oct 7, 2026La JollaSource: iNaturalist 407282642
- Sept 26, 2026Los Angeles County (exact spot hidden)Source: iNaturalist 403785008
- Aug 6 to 9, 2026La Jolla, Palos Verdes Estates and San Diego County4 records
- July 30, 2026San Diego County9 records from 1 diver
- July 18, 2026Redondo BeachCaught by an anglerSource: iNaturalist 382763375
Photos
More of each life stage
Juvenile
Home Range
Where it normally lives
Northern California to Chile, plus Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands; resident throughout Pacific Mexico.
Range source: FishBase · Mexican Fish.com
This triggerfish lives in every part of Mexico's Pacific waters, and FishBase lists its range from northern California to Chile, along with Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands. FishBase puts it at about 10 to 200 feet, while a Mexican field guide records it as deep as 1,700 feet.
Identification
The finescale triggerfish has a deep, flattened body covered in thick skin made of plate-like scales. It is a plain brownish tan with hints of blue. Mature adults flash bright neon blue on the head and along the fin edges when they feed or fight. The mouth is small, with strong teeth that stick out, 8 in each jaw. It grows to about 30 inches.
Natural History
Finescale triggerfish live on rocky reefs, boulder slopes and the sand next to them. Adults stay near the bottom, while the young drift in open water. They eat sea urchins, small crustaceans and mollusks.
In California
The finescale triggerfish is not new to Southern California: iNaturalist holds 55 California records from 2017 through 2025. The 2026 count stands out. iNaturalist holds 26 California records from July 18 to October 26, 2026, about as many as in the 3 years before combined. They come from Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, La Jolla and elsewhere in San Diego County. An angler caught one at Redondo Beach on July 18.
Taxonomy
Rarity
Rarity in the compendium is Nautical Nick's call on how likely a diver is to run into the animal on the California coast this season, not how rare it is where it normally lives.