Description:

Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal rays: 33-36; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 28-31.

A dark deep blue bodied fish with purple and green overtones. The head is paler than the body.

Fins are blue-green with paler margins. Anterior portions of second dorsal and anal fins are elevated. Caudal fin is lunate with long lobes in adults. Bright red teeth 
the upper two “fangs” protrude from the mouth. Deep groove before the eye below the nostrils highlighted in green. The lips are green and a bridle like double green 
stripe runs from the mouth to the base of the pectoral fin.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 50cm TL.

Reef associated, inhabiting reef channels and slopes on seaward reefs (depth 5-40m) subject to strong currents. Juveniles associated with isolated patches of rubble or 
crevices offering protection. Omnivorous – seen to form large aggregations to feed on zooplankton brought in on the current. Also consumes algae, invertebrates such as 
sponges, and fishes.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery, but is a rare component of the catch.

Bray, D.J.  Odonus niger in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/766 (02/11/18)
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase https://www.fishbase.de/summary/odonus-niger (01/11/18)
McGrouther, M. (2013). Redtooth Triggerfish, Odonus niger (Rüppell, 1837). Australian Museum. https://australianmuseum.net.au/redtooth-triggerfish-odonus-niger (01/11/18).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Odonus niger, Red-toothed triggerfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/odonus-niger-ruppell-1836/ (edited 18/06/22).