The grey triggerfish is a surprise visitor. Grey triggerfish have been recorded off Sussex since 1967, including a catch off Littlehampton on 7 November 1999. British boat record: confirmed.
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About the grey triggerfish
The grey triggerfish is a surprise visitor. It is an oval, flat-sided grey fish with a small mouth, a strong first dorsal spine, a blue-ringed upper eye and rough skin. It sits at the edge of its range in British waters, but British Sea Fishing says it is now caught more often in the south. It lives in fairly shallow water, down to about 30 metres, over stony and broken ground where there are shellfish and crabs to eat. Most fish are about 2 ft and 6 lb, though British Sea Fishing reports fish over 10 lb. Wikipedia gives 44 cm as common and 60 cm as the maximum. Few anglers set out to catch one, because it is usually caught by accident. Most live sightings and catches fall from about July to October, and many dead fish wash up from December to January. Sussex records go back to 1967. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable. If one does take your bait, handle it with care, because the first dorsal spine is strong.
On the boat
Grey triggerfish are usually caught by accident. Small, strong hooks, size 1 or 2, on strong hooklengths, baited with mussel, peeler crab, ragworm or squid, are fished on the seabed or float-fished near rough ground. Summer is best, with most catches from about July to October. Off Sussex they have also been taken in trammel nets and beam trawls.
British boat-caught record
Confirmed record
- Weight
- 6 lb 4 oz 14 dms (2.859 kg)
- Where
- 0.5 mile off Tywyn Beach, Wales
- When
- 2002
- Angler
- Peter Phillips
Confirmed British boat-caught record: Peter Phillips caught a grey triggerfish of 6 lb 4 oz 14 dms (2.859 kg), half a mile off Tywyn Beach, Wales, in 2002. The official list gives the year only. Weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims are now by length only, with a qualifying length of 55 cm.
How we label records: the British boat-caught records table explains confirmed, claimed and none listed.
Care and rules
The grey triggerfish is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The source gives no UK minimum size, so check with the MMO and Sussex IFCA. Our record has no eating advice. Rules change: check the current rules before you fish.
Did you know?
The first Sussex record is given as 1967, from a lobster pot off Worthing. About 35 were taken in trammel nets off Sussex in spring 1997, according to the British Marine Life Study Society.
Questions about the grey triggerfish
What is the British boat-caught record for grey triggerfish?
Confirmed British boat-caught record: Peter Phillips caught a grey triggerfish of 6 lb 4 oz 14 dms (2.859 kg), half a mile off Tywyn Beach, Wales, in 2002. The official list gives the year only. Weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims are now by length only, with a qualifying length of 55 cm.
Is grey triggerfish caught off the Sussex coast?
Yes. Grey triggerfish have been recorded off Sussex since 1967, including a catch off Littlehampton on 7 November 1999.
When is the best time to catch grey triggerfish?
Off Sussex: Sussex records on the Glaucus page include September, November and July sightings and catches (for example 7 Nov 1999 off Littlehampton). No single season is stated for Sussex. Around Britain: Best sought in summer. Most live sightings and catches fall from about July to October; many dead fish wash up from December to January.
How big does a grey triggerfish get?
Usually up to about 2 ft and 6 lb; fish over 10 lb are reported (British Sea Fishing). Wikipedia gives 44 cm as common and 60 cm as the maximum.
Sources
- British Sea Fishing: grey triggerfish: britishseafishing.co.uk
- Wikipedia: grey triggerfish: en.wikipedia.org
- British Marine Life Study Society: triggerfish: glaucus.org.uk
- BRFC sea fish records, June 2026: anglingtrust.net
Picture: Diego Delso, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
