English Name: Black triggerfish
Family: BALISTIDAE
Local Name: Kalhu rondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 35 cm
Specimen: MRS/P0350/89
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 32-35 rays. Anal fin with 28-31 rays. Pectoral fin with 15-17 rays. Prominent longitudinal ridges following scale rows on caudal peduncle. Caudal fin emarginate to lunate (except juveniles).
Colour: Dark blue-green to black. Blue-white lines at base of soft dorsal and anal fins. Submarginal blue line on caudal fin bends into lobes.
Habitat and Biology: Occurs on upper reef edge of outer slopes of seaward reefs. Feeds
predominantly on calcareous algae; also feeds on zooplankton.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Melichthys niger is very similar in appearance to, and easily confused with Mindicus
(previous page). M. niger is more widely distributed.