Melichthys indicus

Osteichthyes Balistidae Genus Melichthys Melichthys indicus
Indian triggerfish MLJ
23 cm TL
Characteristic features:
Colour:

Body black, soft dorsal and anal fins black with bluish white bases, caudal fin uniformly black or with white margin.

Size:

Up to 24 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indian Ocean in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coral reefs from 2 to 20 m depth.

Similar species:

Melichthys niger
Black triggerfish

Melichthys niger

Melichthys niger differs in having a caudal fin emarginate to lunate (vs. rounded); caudal fin uniformly black (vs. black but sometimes with a narrow white margin) and 20–25 scale rows between mouth and gill opening (vs. 27–31).

to Melichthys niger

Melichthys vidua
Pinktail triggerfish

Melichthys vidua

Melichthys vidua differs in having soft dorsal and anal fins pale with narrow black outer margins and the caudal fin pinkish (vs. soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins blackish).

to Melichthys vidua
External links:

FishBase