Melichthys indicus
Indian triggerfish | Black Triggerfish | Blackfinned Triggerfish
Similar Species
Same Genus
Distribution
Tropical Indo-Pacific
Description
Oval-shaped dark brown/black body with pale blue stripes along the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and faint blue oblique stripe on cheek. Differs from M. niger (Black Triggerfish) in having white trim around tail fin margin. Swims with dorsal and anal fins.
Information
Max Size: 25 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 26.3-31°C
Depth: 1-30 m
Habitat Generalization Index: 13.28
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Widespread (50.7% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Few (4 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: Joe Shields