WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Indian Triggerfish

Melichthys indicus

Also known as: Black Triggerfish, Black-finned Triggerfish, Indian Ocean Durgon, Indian Trigger

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022
Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · June 20101 / 16
01

Overview

Found singly, below coral bases, over seaward reef slopes, rich in coral growth.

Triggerfish have a hard spine dorsal fin that can be locked.
When sleeping this spine is used to wedge them into place in a crevasse and so deter predators from pulling them out of their bed!
The spine is also held erect as a warning to other fish to stay away.
Several large Titans blow shallow depressions in the sand for nesting and if approached will raise this spine as a warning, if ignored they may charge, even divers! especially the Titan Triggerfish who will take a tasty bite. Beware.

02

How to identify

Pattern
stripes
Behaviour
solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indian Ocean
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 15
LIVES IN

Found singly, below coral bases, over seaward reef slopes, rich in coral growth.

04

Adult photos 16

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderTetraodontiformes
    5. familyBalistidae
    6. genusMelichthys
    7. speciesMelichthys indicus Randall & Klausewitz, 1973

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Triggerfishes (Balistidae)