Melichthys indicus Randall & Klausewitz, 1973

Common Name

The Indian triggerfish, Melichthys indicus, is also commonly called the black-finned triggerfish.

Coloration and Markings

This species has a brown body and black fins, with distinct white lines at the base of its dorsal and anal fins.

Distribution

It is distributed throughout the Indian Ocean, and has never been recorded near Hawaii.

Size

Adult Indian triggerfish can reach a maximum length of 10 inches, which equals 25 centimeters.

Diet

Their typical diet consists of hard-shelled mollusks and echinoderms, though some individuals consume algae and zooplankton instead.

Reproductive Behavior

Indian triggerfish are usually very aggressive when guarding their eggs, but they are harmless to people outside of this behavior.

Aquarium Suitability

They are easy to maintain in home aquariums.

Temperament Variation

Individual temperaments vary greatly: some Indian triggerfish are peaceful, while others are highly aggressive toward other tank fish.

Taxonomic Confusion

This species is frequently confused in the aquarium trade with the Hawaiian black triggerfish, also called black durgon (Melichthys niger).

Morphological Similarity

The two species look very similar thanks to their matching body shape and coloration.