Black Triggerfish

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Black Triggerfish | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Actinopterygii | ordo = Tetraodontiformes | familia = Balistidae | genus = Melichthys | species = M. niger | binomial = Melichthys niger | binomial_authority = Bloch, 1786 }}

The Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger), called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, is a blimp-shaped fish 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.

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.

Habitat

Open waters, shallows, exposed reefs, 5-35 metres (16-115 feet)

Size

On average, 12 inches, although it can grow to be up to 14 inches.

Diet

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

References

See also

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