Black triggerfish - Melichthys niger

Species Name: Melichthys niger

Synonyms: Melichthys niger, Melichthys ringens, Balistes niger, Balistes buniva, Melichthys buniva, Balistes radula, Melicthys radula, Balistes verrucosus, Balistes kib, Balistes kibitar, Balistes piceus, Melichthys piceus, Melichthys bispinosus, Balistes fuscolineatus, Balistes sillone

Common Names:Black triggerfish

Family: Balistidae (Triggerfishes)

Order: Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and filefishes)

Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)

Max.Size: 50.0 cm/20 inches

Environment: Marine-reef

Origin: Western and Eastern Indian Ocean, Western Central and Eastern Central Pacific, Western Central and Eastern Central Atlantic

Temperament: Harmless

Company: Melichthys niger (Black triggerfish) should ideally be kept with organisms that are familiar for them in wild, as long as they won’t feed on each other.

Aquarium Setup: Melichthys niger (Black triggerfish) is a curious and intelligent fish, and should be given a aquarium setup with plenty of things to explore and play with, as well as hide among. The aquarium should be large and the water clean, well-filtered and properly circulated. Arrange rocky reefs for your Black triggerfish to hide inside, otherwise it will not feel safe when it goes to sleep.

Food: Melichthys niger (Black triggerfish) feeds mainly on phytoplankton in the wild, but will eat a large variety of food in the aquarium.

Breeding: We have no information about Melichthys niger (Black triggerfish) breeding in aquariums.