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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
Habitatedit
Shoal of black triggerfish off the coast of Kaumakani, Kauai
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.
Sizeedit
On average, 12 inches, although it can grow to be up to 18 inches.
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 alsoedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melichthys niger.
^Hoover, John P. Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes. Mutual Publishing, 2008
^Sazima, Ivan; Sazima, Cristina & Silva, José Martins (2003). "The cetacean offal connection: Feces and vomits of spinner dolphins as a food source for reef fishes". Bulletin of Marine Science (abstract). 72 (1). Miami. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
Hoover, John P. (2008). The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes.
External linksedit
Photos of Black triggerfish on Sealife Collection
April 12, 2024
black, triggerfish, black, triggerfishor, black, durgon, melichthys, niger, called, humuhumu, hawaiian, blimp, shaped, triggerfish, with, bright, white, lines, running, along, dorsal, anal, fins, from, distance, appears, completely, black, however, upon, close. The black triggerfishor 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 Black triggerfishConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ActinopterygiiOrder TetraodontiformesFamily BalistidaeGenus MelichthysSpecies M nigerBinomial nameMelichthys niger Bloch 1786 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 citation needed Contents 1 Range 2 Habitat 3 Size 4 Diet 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksRange editCircumtropical 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 citation needed Habitat edit nbsp Shoal of black triggerfish off the coast of Kaumakani KauaiThis 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 editOn average 12 inches although it can grow to be up to 18 inches Diet editOmnivorous 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 edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melichthys niger TriggerfishReferences edit Hoover John P Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes Mutual Publishing 2008 Sazima Ivan Sazima Cristina amp Silva Jose Martins 2003 The cetacean offal connection Feces and vomits of spinner dolphins as a food source for reef fishes Bulletin of Marine Science abstract 72 1 Miami Retrieved 26 April 2015 Hoover John P 2008 The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes External links editPhotos of Black triggerfish on Sealife Collection Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Black triggerfish amp oldid 1213590541, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
