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Melichthys indicus (Randall & Klausewitz, 1973)
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Melichthys indicus (Randall & Klausewitz, 1973)
  • Photo. (c) 2022 BSS/MCSS.
Genus: ,

Scientific Name: Melichthys indicus

English Name: Indian triggerfish

Creole Name: Bours nwar

French Name: Baliste à nageoires noires

IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal rays: 30-35; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 27-30.

Small to medium-sized triggerfish. Upper and lower head profiles convex. Shallow oblique groove on cheek. Ridges along hind scales less developed than 
those in M. niger. Caudal fin rounded.

Colour. Black - sometimes bluish or violet in life. Soft dorsal and anal fins with bluish white bases. Narrow white margin round caudal fin.  


Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 25.0 cm TL.


Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coral-rich seaward reef slopes (depth 1-30 m). Feeds on sponges, algae, crustaceans and small invertebrates. Solitary. Digs holes below coral 
bases for shelter. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. 
 


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. Not recorded in artisanal catch during catch monitoring during 2012-2022 catch survey 
(J. Nevill pers obs).  
 


Notes:

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at 
Alphonse group 2022.


References:

fishIDER, CSIRO Australian National Fish Collection. Melichthys indicus. https://fishider.org/en/guide/osteichthyes/balistidae/melichthys/melichthys-indicus (05/09/22).   
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2022). FishBase.  https://www.fishbase.se/summary/7634 (05/09/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4.


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Melichthys indicus, Indian triggerfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/melichthys-indicus-randall-klausewitz-1973/ 


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