Range: Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Hawaii and East Africa to Thailand, Sumatra, and Indonesia
Size: 10 inches (25 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits areas rich in coral growth on coastal to outer reef slopes. Seeks caves in the reef structure to hide or rest during evening hours. Feeds on crustaceans, small inverts, algae and sponges.
General Husbandry: A pretty fish that is a deep grey to black color, and has a light blue stripe at the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and edging the tail. There are also darker stripes across the top of the head and chin area. The Indian Trigger (Melichthys indicus) is very similar to the Black Trigger (M. niger), with the main difference the white margin around its tail, which is lacking on the Black Trigger. It’s not among the more normally stocked fish in the hobby, yet is slowly making its way into the hobby and becoming available.
In the home aquarium, they require a meaty diet, e.g., fortified brine shrimp, mysis, chopped fish, shrimp, squid, and clam flesh, and/or meaty type frozen carnivore foods with two or three feedings per day. Some people say they are reef safe, yet, that’s not a proven fact, as small fish, ornamental shrimp, snails, urchins and worms such as feather dusters may be at risk! Yet corals, soft and stony are not at risk. Most are better kept with moray eels, snappers, angelfish, tangs or other larger fish, yet not lionfish, as they are too slow moving and a target for fin nipping.
Definitely an attractive fish and ‘somewhat’ mild-mannered, making it a good choice for community-style reef or fish-only aquariums. Keep in mind that generally its recommended not more than one triggerfish be kept per aquarium unless a mated pair, and furthermore, that it be the last fish to be placed into the aquarium.
NO SIZE GUARANTEES