Melichthys vidua | fishIDER

Osteichthyes Balistidae Genus Melichthys Melichthys vidua

Pinktail triggerfish

17.4 cm TL

Characteristic features:

Colour:

Head and body brown, dorsal and anal fins with distinct black margin, snout and pectoral fins yellowish, caudal fin pale pink with a white base and the upper and lower margins black.

Size:

Up to 34 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo–West Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coral reefs, to 60 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds primarily on algae, but also cephalopods, crustaceans, sponges and fish.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught by gillnets, handlines and drive-in nets.

Similar species:

Melichthys indicus
Indian triggerfish

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

to Melichthys indicus

Melichthys niger
Black triggerfish

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

to Melichthys niger

External links:

FishBase