Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger)

Scientific name: Melichthys niger Bloch, 1786

The Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger) is a marine fish of the family Balistidae.

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Melichthys niger
Family: Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Order: Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 50.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 0–75 m (0–246 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 75 m, usually 0 - 20 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Circumtropical. Western Pacific: Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands eastward to the Tuamoto Islands. Eastern Pacific: San Diego, California, USA to Malpelo Island, Colombia. Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Bahamas to Brazil. Absent in Gulf of Mexico. Eastern Atlantic: St. Paul's Rocks (13121), St. Helena, Ascension Island, Rolas Island, and Cape Verde. S?o Tom? Island. Western Indian Ocean: Durban, Natal, South Africa. Uncommon in most areas but abundant around isolated oceanic islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)