TRIGGERFISH
BALISTIDAE
Black Durgon
Melichthys niger
    Ecological Descriptors
Habitat Size (cm) Diet Behaviour Sex 
Dem, Co 50 Pla, Veg Sh F
 
 
Description:
Body oval, relatively deep, robust and laterally compressed.A dark greenish-black triggerfish with purplish overtones. Pale
blue/ white lines run along the bases of the soft rear dorsal and anal fins. Above the eye, the head may be blue, and below the eye orange or yellow. Scales of the rear part of the body have prominent keels that form longitudinal ridges.

Ecology
Found on inner and outer reef crests, usually near the slope or drop-off to deeper water, in loose aggregations, down to 75 m. The diet consists primarily of calcareous algae and zooplankton, but also feeds on phytoplankton. Sometimes they even rise up to the surface to feed on drifting algae.  It is one of the very few reef fishes with a circumtropical distribution and is a successful colonizer with an exceptionally long pelagic stage. Dorsal and anal fins 'skull' to propel them.

Life Cycle:
Distinct pairing during breeding. Benthic eggs and pelagic larvae. It's estimated longevity is 5-6 years  and size at birth is around 1.5 mm. 
Black Durgon
Synonym:
Black Triggerfish
Black Durgon
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