Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger) fish species and information / pictures of Black triggerfish - Melichthys niger

Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger) fish species information

Scientific Name
Melichthys niger

Common Name
Black triggerfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-35; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 28 - 31. A dark greenish-black triggerfish with purplish overtones. Pale blue lines along bases of soft dorsal and anal fins. Scales of rear part of body have prominent keels that form longitudinal ridges (Ref. 26938).

Classification

Classified By
Bloch, 1786
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)
Family
Triggerfishes (Balistidae)

Distribution

Region
Circumtropical. Western Pacific
Distribution
Circumtropical. Western Pacific: Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands eastward to the Tuamoto Islands. Eastern Pacific: San Diego, California, USA to Malpelo Island, Colombia (Ref. 9276). Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Bahamas to Brazil (Ref. 7251). Absent in Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 26938). Eastern Atlantic: St. Paul's Rocks (13121), St. Helena, Ascension Island, Rolas Island, and Cape Verde (Ref. 7348). S?o Tom? Island (Ref. 34088). Western Indian Ocean: Durban, Natal, South Africa (Ref. 4420). Uncommon in most areas but abundant around isolated oceanic islands (Ref. 9710).
Range
30°N - 24°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
75 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 75 m (Ref. 9710), usually 0 - 20 m (Ref. 40849)
Trophic Level
2.4 s.e. 0.28 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
50.0 cm
Common Length
30.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (41 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated