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Black Durgon (Triggerfish)

Melichthys niger

Photo by TracyB
Published on Project Noah
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20.6322, -156.494

Field Notes

Description:

"HUMUHUMU 'ELE'ELE" "Soroi-mongara"

"Common in large aggregations on reefs and ledges with good water circulation to 300 feet. Feeds upon zooplankton, phytoplankton, and calcareous algae. White line at base of dorsal & anal fins appears blue underwater. Yellow and blue lines are displayed at will. A skittish species except where fed by swimmers, a bad idea as they have sharp teeth. Attains 12 inches. Occurs in warm seas worldwide."

http://www.marinelifephotography.com/fishes/triggerfishes/melichthys-ni…

Notes:

There were a lot of them swimming close to where the boat was anchored, further out from 'Molokini' than the other fish and closer to the surface. I suppose you could say that they were more social. They looked black in real life.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
TracyB
I found them, Logan. And at Matt... no wonder they made me feel wary! I just recall feeling uncomfortable around them and like I didn't want to get too close. A good thing too, as the website says: "A skittish species except where fed by swimmers, a bad idea as they have sharp teeth." That explains why they were close to the boat. I am glad to know my fishy senses are all intact :)
TracyB
Matt, I can't remember exactly, but they were very big black fish swimming around! Big enough that they made me feel a little wary, if that helps at all. (I'm sorry, this was in 2008 and my memory isn't serving me well at the moment.) On the order of about one foot long.
LuckyLogan
It's a Triggerfish (Balistidae) there aren't too many species in this family so you maybe able to find the species. I love that red! Very uncommon :)
MattAdams8128
No idea what it is lol. Real nice spotting tho. Just out of curiosity, how big was it? :-D

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Underwater Hawai'i
Photographed
PublishedNovember 13, 2013

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