Black triggerfish

Black triggerfish
Black triggerfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Melichthys
Species: M. niger
Binomial name
Melichthys niger
Bloch, 1786

The black triggerfish, Melichthys niger, called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, is a blimp-shaped triggerfish with bright white lines running along its dorsal and anal fins. When in the water, it appears to be completely black. However, if it is taken out and exposed to bright light, one can see that it is actually of a dark-blue/green coloration.

These are not to be confused with their cousins, the Indian Triggerfish or Black-finned Triggerfish (Melichthys indicus), which are often mistaken as being black triggerfish within the trade. The Indian triggerfish has never been found in Hawaii, but bears a striking resemblance to the black triggerfish because of the similar shape and coloration.

Contents

Range

Circumtropical. Hawaii, up through Polynesia, westward to the East Indies and across the Indian Ocean. The Black triggerfish is also located around the southern coast of Africa. Although, the Black triggerfish is commonly found in the Indo Pacific and Red Sea.

Habitat

School of black triggerfish near Waikiki

This species is found in open waters, shallows, and exposed reefs, 5–35 metres (16–115 feet)

Size

On average, 12 inches, although it can grow to be up to 18 inches.

Diet

Omnivorous. Feeds upon small fish and squid. Shrimp, zooplankton, algae, and other marine plant life.

References

See also

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