Black triggerfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black triggerfish |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Balistidae |
| Genus: | Melichthys |
| Species: |
M. niger
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| Binomial name | |
| Melichthys niger (Bloch, 1786)
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The black triggerfish or black durgon (Melichthys niger) is a cool fish that looks a bit like a blimp! In Hawaiian, it's called Humuhumu'ele'ele. This fish has bright white lines along its top fin (called the dorsal fin) and bottom fin (called the anal fin).
From far away, the black triggerfish looks completely black. But if you get a closer look, especially in good light, you'll see it's actually a mix of dark blue and green. Sometimes, the front of its head even has orange colors! Black durgons can also change their color to blend in with their surroundings.
It's easy to mix up the black triggerfish with its cousin, the Indian triggerfish (Melichthys indicus). These two fish look very similar in shape and color. However, the Indian triggerfish has never been found near Hawaii.
Contents
Where They Live (Range)
The black triggerfish lives all around the world in tropical waters. This means you can find them in places like Hawaii, all the way through Polynesia, west to the East Indies, and across the Indian Ocean. They also live around the southern coast of Africa. You'll commonly see them in the Indo-Pacific region and the Red Sea.
Their Home (Habitat)
These fish like to live in open ocean waters, shallow areas, and on exposed reefs. They usually swim at depths of about 5 to 35 meters (15 to 115 feet). They seem to especially like the inland and shore areas around Ascension Island.
How Big They Get (Size)
On average, a black triggerfish grows to be about 12 inches long. But some can get even bigger, reaching up to 18 inches!
What They Eat (Diet)
The black triggerfish is an omnivore. This means it eats both plants and animals. They enjoy eating small fish and squid. They also munch on shrimp, tiny floating animals called zooplankton, algae, and other types of marine plants.
See also
- Triggerfish
 | Stephanie Wilson |
 | Charles Bolden |
 | Ronald McNair |
 | Frederick D. Gregory |
