Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger)
Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Hawaiian Black Trigger, Black Durgon, Black Finned Triggerfish, or in Hawaiian, Humuhumu’ele’ele are found worldwide in Tropical Atlantic/Caribbean, Tropical Eastern Pacific, and Tropical Indo Pacific waters.
Its range extends from Hawaii, up through Polynesia, westward to the East Indies and across the Indian Ocean. The black triggerfish is also located around the southern coast of Africa.
Black Triggerfish are uncommon in most areas of their range, but appear abundantly in small, loose aggregations around the exposed outer reefs of isolated oceanic islands. They are prolific inland and around the shores of the Ascension Island area.
Black Durgon are a Benthopelagic species that are also encountered alone and in small, loose aggregations in shallow lagoons, open water, and more abundantly around oceanic islands on the clear, shallower, 15 to 125 foot deep outer reef crest ledges, slopes and drop offs.
In open waters at depths to 300 feet, large congregations of Black Triggerfish are commonly encountered feeding on zooplankton, phytoplankton, and calcareous algae.
Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger)
Black Triggerfish have a mottled dark blue green, almost black, body color with horizontal markings and occasionally some greenish orange at the head; bold, bright white to bluish white lines along the base of their dorsal and anal fins, and a slightly rounded to double emarginate black caudal fin. Around the eyes and face there are thin, light blue to turquoise colored lines. There are no obvious sexual differences between males and females.
Unlike the Indian Triggerfish (Melichthys indicus), which has never been seen near Hawaii, the Black Durgon lacks the white edging on the caudal fin. Black Triggerfish are capable of changing their colors at will, depending on their mood and surroundings.
Black Triggerfish are not reef safe and will munch on corals and invertebrates in your tank, they are best housed in a mature FOWLR tank of at least 125 gallon capacity with a crushed coralline gravel or sandy substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs and plenty of free swimming space.
Like most triggerfish, Black Triggerfish are voracious eaters that require a good filtration system, efficient protein skimming, and a wave maker to replicate the brisk water movement they require.
Black Triggerfish are territorial and known to be somewhat aggressive, especially towards smaller tank mates and those with similar body shapes.
Similar sized semi aggressive species and slightly smaller more aggressive species can usually coexist with them.
In large systems, suitable tankmates include large angelfish like the Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator), some tang species like the Naso Tang (Naso Lituratus), Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae family), and certain surgeonfish like the . Avoid housing them with small docile species.
Melichthys niger have not been bred in an aquarium environment.
In the wild like Indian Triggerfish, they are egg scatterers that display distinct pairing during breeding.
Black Triggerfish are omnivores that feed predominately on drifting zooplankton, phytoplankton, squid, shrimp, small fish, calcareous algae, and at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in the southeast Atlantic, the feces and vomits of Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) that congregate in the shallow bay.
In an aquarium environment, Black Triggerfish require a varied diet of high quality marine pellets, frozen foods, and live or frozen seafood. Frozen Angelfish formulas, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, Spirulina enriched brine shrimp, Mysis, squid, chopped shrimp, mussels, small fish and some vegetable matter will keep them healthy and vibrant. Feed small portions several times daily.
Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online suppliers and specialty fish shops at prices that vary according to size and area of collection.
Approximate purchase sizes vary from small specimen 1.25″ – 1.75″, up to large 7″ – 9″ adults with prices starting at $75.99 for small specimens.
Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger)
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: Temp 76-82F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1-8.4, Salinity 1.022-1.025
Max size: 12 – 18″
Color Form: Black, Blue, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef safe
Origin: Tropical Pacific to Indian Ocean
Family: Balistidae
Lifespan: Over 10 – 15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
