Black Triggerfish
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| Black Triggerfish | ||||||||||||||
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| Melichthys niger Bloch, 1786 |
Melichthys niger
The Black Triggerfish, or "Humuhumu'ele'ele" in Hawaiian, is a blimp-shaped fish. This fish has 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.
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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
(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.