Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
This species is distinguished by the following characters: a deep groove in front of eye; 20-25 head scale rows from corner of mouth to lower end of gill opening; 57-66 body scale rows from upper end of gill opening to caudal fin base; presence of prominent longitudinal ridges following scale rows of posterior body; slightly rounded to double emarginate caudal fin; a thin white bar neat posterior margin of the caudal fin; black spots on scales forming lines (Ref. 90102).
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30 - 34; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 28 - 30
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Cleaned by hogfish, Bodianus rufus, as observed on the coral reefs in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles (Ref. 36810). Also cleaned by Thalassoma noronhanum observed at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago off northeastern Brazil (Ref. 36301). Microinvertiv/herbivore (Ref. 33499). Omnivorous and found around deep-water corals (Ref. 126840).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Inhabit clear seaward reefs. More common around oceanic islands (Ref. 9276). Found on inner and outer reef crests, usually near the slope or drop-off to deeper water, where in small but loose aggregations. Sometimes swim high above substrate feeding on zooplankton (Ref. 48637). May also be solitary (Ref. 90102). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Diet consists primarily of calcareous algae and zooplankton (Ref. 1602); also feed on phytoplankton (Ref. 5213). At Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, southeast Atlantic, groups of about 100 individuals join groups of spinner dolphins to feed on feces and vomits of the cetaceans when they congregate in a shallow bay for rest and social interactions. The postures a dolphin adopts prior to defecating or vomiting are recognized, and the fish begin to converge to the dolphin shortly before the actual voiding. Offal feeding may be regarded as a simple behavioral shift from plankton feeding to drifting offal picking (Ref. 48727). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9770).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family
Comprehensive Description
provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Melichthys niger (Bloch)
A 2β is more exposed posterodorsally, and A 2γ is more obviously bipinnate. The hyomandibular crest is somewhat larger, with the result that there is more of the levator arcus palatini visible laterally.
The cutaneous portion of the protractor hyoidei is much better developed and overlies a greater part of the ventral branchiostegal rays, while the inner and more ventral sections are reduced. There is some development of the horizontal section of the sternohyoideus described in B. undulatus. The posterodorsomedial fibers of the sternobranchialis do not meet their antimeres. The pharyngoclavicularis internus has partially divided into two portions. Levator externus V is less well developed than in either of the two previous species, and transversus dorsalis II is as for B. vetula. The arrector ventralis pelvicus and transversus caudalis are as for B. undulatus.
- bibliographic citation
- Winterbottom, Richard. 1974. "The familial phylogeny of the Tetraodontiformes (Acanthopterygii: Pisces) as evidenced by their comparative myology." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-201. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.155
Black triggerfish
provided by wikipedia EN
The black triggerfish or black durgon (Melichthys niger), called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, is a blimp-shaped triggerfish with bright white lines running along its dorsal and anal fins. From distance, it appears to be completely black. However, upon closer inspection with good lighting, one can see that it is actually mottled dark-blue/green coloration often with orange toward the front of the head. Black durgons are capable of changing color based on their surroundings.[1]
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 aquarium trade. The Indian triggerfish has never been found near Hawaii, but bears a striking resemblance to the black triggerfish because of the similar shape and coloration.
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
This species is found in open waters, shallows, and exposed reefs, 5–35 metres (15–115 feet) Seems to prefer inland/shores in the Ascension Island region where they are strangely prolific.
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.
A study conducted in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago of the southwest Atlantic Ocean, revealed the feces and vomit of Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) formed part of the diet of twelve species of reef fish from seven different families. The most prolific consumer was the black male, which could even discern the postures dolphins assumed prior to voiding and positioned themselves for effective feeding. All these offal eating fish species are recorded plankton eaters and it is considered that this type of feeding may represent a change in its usual diet, i.e. drifting plankton.[2]
See also
References
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Black triggerfish: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The black triggerfish or black durgon (Melichthys niger), called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, is a blimp-shaped triggerfish with bright white lines running along its dorsal and anal fins. From distance, it appears to be completely black. However, upon closer inspection with good lighting, one can see that it is actually mottled dark-blue/green coloration often with orange toward the front of the head. Black durgons are capable of changing color based on their surroundings.
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 aquarium trade. The Indian triggerfish has never been found near Hawaii, but bears a striking resemblance to the black triggerfish because of the similar shape and coloration.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Inhabits clear seaward reefs, from the reef front to deeper waters. Diet consists primarily of calcareous algae and zooplankton (Ref. 1602). Also feeds on phytoplankton (Ref. 5213). Caught with drive-in nets and handlines and is marketed fresh (Ref. 9770).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2023). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (02/2023).
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
