Melichthys


Melichthys is a small genus in the triggerfish family. Member species are found in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and even the Red Sea. The Black triggerfish is the largest species in this genus at 45 cm in length and the Indian triggerfish is the smallest at 25 cm. Melichthys niger and Melichthys indicus are similar in appearance and are often confused.

Species

There are currently 3 recognized species in this genus:
ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Melichthys indicus J. E. Randall & Klausewitz, 1973Indian triggerfishIndian Ocean.
Melichthys niger Bloch, 1786Black triggerfishHawaii, up through Polynesia, westward to the East Indies and across the Indian Ocean
Melichthys vidua J. Richardson, 1845Pinktail triggerfishIndo-Pacific.