There are many fish in the ocean that will often closely resemble one another or have very similar traits and features. Two of these fish, are the sheepshead vs triggerfish.
These fish are often confused with each other due to a few characteristics they share and the fact that they live in many of the same areas.
However, these fish are actually quite different from one another.
Let’s explore their key differences below!
Table of Contents
- Coloration and Appearance
- Physical Similarities and Differences
- Unique Teeth and Diet
- Habitat and Distribution
- Taste and Table Fare
- Popularity and Angler Preference
- Related Posts
Coloration and Appearance
One of the biggest differences between the sheepshead and the triggerfish is their outward appearance. Simply looking at the physical shape of the body and the color will generally tell you right away if what you are looking at is a triggerfish or a sheepshead.
Sheepshead have unique coloration and pattern. There are five to seven dark vertical bars that run down their sides, giving them various nicknames such as convict or convict fish. Along with the black stripes, the rest of the fish is either gray, silver, or white.
Triggerfish, on the other hand, are often brightly colored depending on the species. One of the most common species in the Atlantic Ocean, the grey triggerfish, does not have any bright colors but instead has a solid grey or silver profile.
Regardless of the species of triggerfish, you will not see the distinct black stripes that a sheepshead fish will have. Triggerfish, even the species that are not brightly colored, will not have bars or stripes like a sheepshead.
Physical Similarities and Differences
In addition to color differences, sheepshead and triggerfish have very different shapes and sizes as well. From their body shape and composition to their physical sizes, there are major differences that make it hard to confuse a sheepshead with a triggerfish.
Sheepshead have an oval-shaped body that comes with a blunt snout and small mouth. Their dorsal and anal fins have short but very sharp spines, and the pectoral fins are long. Their tails have a shallow fork that propels them through the water.
Triggerfish have more laterally composed bodies that feature two dorsal fins and a pointed snout that ends with a small mouth. Triggerfish get their name for their unique bodies and the spines on their dorsal fins.
In order to protect themselves from predators, triggerfish will lock up their first dorsal fin. This can allow them to lock themselves in a crevice or structure. Once erect and locked, the only way to lower the dorsal fin is by pushing the second dorsal fin or the “trigger”.
Triggerfish will reach a max length of around 28 inches but are most commonly found in the 12 to 18-inch range. These fish can weigh up to 13 pounds, with most individuals weighing around 2 to 5 pounds.
Sheepshead have a max length of around 30 inches as well, and they can generally weigh a lot more due to their body structure. The average length and weight, however, is around 15 to 20 inches and 2 to 8 pounds in weight.
Unique Teeth and Diet
One of the biggest reasons that sheepshead and triggerfish get confused with one another is due to their unique jaws and teeth. Both fish have strange and unique teeth that they use to feed upon their prey.
Sheepshead are omnivores and feed upon things like algae and shellfish. Because of this, they have teeth very similar to a human with well-defined incisors, grinders, and molars. The incisor teeth are in the front of the mouth with the molars towards the back to grind up their food.
Triggerfish have similar teeth to a sheepshead. With their sharp front teeth, they can cut into the hard shells of their prey such as sea urchins and starfish. It is these unique front teeth that are often what get them confused for sheepshead.
Both sheepshead and triggerfish primarily feed upon small creatures that they can use their strong teeth on, such as crabs, clams, shrimp, and smaller fish. Sheepshead will also eat clams and oysters while triggerfish prefer to hunt sand dollars and sea urchins.
Habitat and Distribution
Sheepshead and triggerfish are found in many of the same waters and prefer to live in some of the same types of habitats. Both species prefer warmer, coastal waters around the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Both the sheepshead and the triggerfish are found as far north as Novia Scotia and as far south as Argentina and Brazil. Some of the densest populations are found around Florida and the Gulf of Mexico where the temperatures are warmer and their preferred prey is more abundant.
The sheepshead and triggerfish both prefer to live in the same types of habitats as well. Inshore, underwater structures such as piers, jetties, mangroves, reefs, and rock pilings are all great places to find good numbers of both sheepshead and triggerfish.
Taste and Table Fare
Sheepshead and triggerfish both make great table fare due to their diets. Because of their preference for eating shellfish and crustaceans, their meat has a sweet and delicate taste. Many would compare the taste of both sheepshead and triggerfish as being similar to crab.
Triggerfish have delicious clean, white meat that can be cut into small fillets that are light and thin. To get these fillets you will first need to get through their tough skin.
To do this you will need to puncture it somewhere soft such as around the gills, but once you get through, the reward is the soft and firm meat.
Sheepshead are also excellent to eat, and have a firm and moist white meat with a shellfish flavor. You will, however, get slightly bigger and thicker fillets from a sheepshead than you will from a triggerfish due to the body composition.
Popularity and Angler Preference
Both sheepshead and triggerfish are not the most popular sport fishing species in the ocean, but both have a somewhat popular place amongst anglers for their fight and excellent table fare. Both species are unique and put up a hard fight when caught on the end of a line.
In recent years, triggerfish have become exceptionally popular and are on track to have their most popular fishing season yet in the state of Florida.
This is largely due to the fact that anglers are realizing how fun they are to catch and how they taste better than other popular fish such as snapper.
Sheepshead have equally enjoyed a similar rise in popularity for the exact same reasons.
From their excellent taste to their widespread availability, it is no wonder that these unique fish are becoming more and more popular and a major target for anglers.
You May Also Like: Jack Crevalle vs Pompano…How To Tell The Difference
Growing up in Florida, I’ve been surrounded by saltwater my entire life…and I love sharing my passion with others.
To learn more about why I started Saltwater Mecca, visit the ABOUT page.
Thank you for reading this article. Browse around & have some fun!
