Biology:Melichthys

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Short description: Genus of fishes

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

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.

Species

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

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
Melichthys indicus Maldives.JPG Melichthys indicus J. E. Randall & Klausewitz, 1973 Indian triggerfish Indian Ocean.
Melichthys niger - Schwarzer Drückerfisch 167403510.jpg Melichthys niger Bloch, 1786 Black triggerfish Hawaii, up through Polynesia, westward to the East Indies and across the Indian Ocean
KuroMG.jpg Melichthys vidua J. Richardson, 1845 Pinktail triggerfish Indo-Pacific.

References

  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. 

Wikidata ☰ Q2704528 entry