Melichthys is a small genus in the triggerfish family (Balistidae). Member species are found in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and even the Red Sea (M. niger). The Black triggerfish is the largest species in this genus at 45 cm in length and the Indian triggerfish is the smallest at 25 cm. Melichthys niger and Melichthys indicus are similar in appearance and are often confused.

Melichthys
Melichthys vidua
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Melichthys
Swainson, 1839

Species

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There are currently 3 recognized species in this genus:[1]

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
  Melichthys indicus J. E. Randall & Klausewitz, 1973 Indian triggerfish Indian Ocean.
  Melichthys niger Bloch, 1786 Black triggerfish Hawaii, up through Polynesia, westward to the East Indies and across the Indian Ocean
  Melichthys vidua J. Richardson, 1845 Pinktail triggerfish Indo-Pacific.

References

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  1. ^ Matsuura, Keiichi (2014). "Taxonomy and systematics of tetraodontiform fishes: a review focusing primarily on progress in the period from 1980 to 2014". Ichthyological Research. 62 (1): 72–113. doi:10.1007/s10228-014-0444-5. S2CID 254172132.