Gray Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
Also known as Grey triggerfish, Leatherjacket, Leatherneck, Taly
Culinary Profile
The meat of gray triggerfish is uniquely sweet. It tastes more like crab than fish. The meat is of excellent quality and is good fresh, smoked, and dried/salted.
Firm.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Adults are primarily olive-gray, have blue spots and lines on the upper body and dorsal (back) fin, and the upper rims of their eyes are blue. Adults have the ability to change color, particularly during the spawning season (April to August). Males turn a dark charcoal gray, while nesting females display a contrasting white and black color pattern.
Biology
Triggerfish can grow to be up to 13 pounds, 28 inches fork length (length from the tip of the snout to the center of the fork of the tail), and 16 years old. Males are larger than females. Triggerfish become sexually mature at approximately 2 years old. Spawning occurs from April to August. Male gray triggerfish establish territories, build nests in the sand, and entice females into the nest to spawn.
Where They Live
Range Gray triggerfish are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia south to Argentina, including Bermuda and the Gulf of America. Habitat Adults live on hard ocean bottoms, reefs, ledges, and artificial reefs at depths of 80 to 300 feet, either alone or in small groups.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from North Carolina to Texas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2024, commercial landings of gray triggerfish totaled approximately 190,000 pounds and were valued at approximately $690,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Hand lines and electric or hydraulic reels are primarily used to catch gray triggerfish commercially. Recreational harvest is primarily by hook-and-line. In 2024, recreational fishermen harvested approximately 1.4 million pounds of gray triggerfish in the Atlantic and the Gulf, according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database . *Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America.
Other Southeast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Gray Triggerfish.
Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus acronotus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Caribbean Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Mild and sweet.
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Mild but distinct flavor, somewhere between bass and halibut.
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
King mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting meat a…
Queen Conch
Aliger gigas
Conch has a sweet, slightly smoky flavor, similar to abalone or clam. Fresh, farmed conch is sweeter and more tender tha…
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Red snapper has a sweetly mild but distinctive flavor.
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
Spanish mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting mea…
Vermilion Snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Gray Triggerfish, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Gray Triggerfish reproduce?
Triggerfish can grow to be up to 13 pounds, 28 inches fork length (length from the tip of the snout to the center of the fork of the tail), and 16 years old. Males are larger than females. Triggerfish become sexually mature at approximately 2 years old. Spawning occurs from April to August.
Where is Gray Triggerfish found?
Range Gray triggerfish are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia south to Argentina, including Bermuda and the Gulf of America. Habitat Adults live on hard ocean bottoms, reefs, ledges, and artificial reefs at depths of 80 to 300 feet, either alone or in small groups.
What else is Gray Triggerfish called?
Gray Triggerfish is also marketed as Grey triggerfish, Leatherjacket, Leatherneck, Taly.
Where in the water column does Gray Triggerfish live?
Range Gray triggerfish are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia south to Argentina, including Bermuda and the Gulf of America. Habitat Adults live on hard ocean bottoms, reefs, ledges, and artificial reefs at depths of 80 to 300 feet, either alone or in small groups.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught gray triggerfish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are three stocks of gray triggerfish: the Gulf of America stock, the South Atlantic stock, and a stock contained in the Puerto Rico Triggerfishes Complex. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Gulf of America stock is not overfished but still rebuilding to target levels (2015 stock assessment), and not subject to overfishing based on 2024 catch data.
Population
In the Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico), not overfished. In the South Atlantic, the stock has not been assessed, the population level is unknown, and management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to harvest gray triggerfish has minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch of sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish that may interact with fishing gear used to harvest gray triggerfish.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic , Gulf , and the Caribbean Fishery Management Councils manage the gray triggerfish fishery. In the South Atlantic, managed under the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan : Recreational and commercial fishery minimum length limits in federal waters off the east coast of Florida. Recreational bag limits.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 5 values
Nutrient Facts (NOAA)
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.