Pinktail Triggerfish (species: Melichthys vidua) in Cook Islands (Gaia Guide)
Cook Islands > Animalia > Vertebrata > Actinopterygii > Tetraodontiformes > Melichthys vidua (gallery)
Melichthys vidua
Pinktail Triggerfish


©D. Ross Robertson: Pinktail Triggerfish (Melichthys vidua)

©Lyle: Melichthys vidua at Cod Hole near Lizard Island, attended by cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus

©Bernard Dupont: Pinktail Triggerfish (Melichthys vidua)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Tetraodontiformes
Family Balistidae
Genus Melichthys
Species Melichthys vidua

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Colours

                        

Distinguishing features

A dark, almost black, triggerfish with prominent whitish/transparent dorsal and anal fins edged with black; pectoral fins yellow; mouth area yellowish; tail white with paler trailing edge (differs from other localities in that tail margin is not pink).

Size

  • Up to 40 cm (Total Length)

Depth range

  • From 4 m to 60 m

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Occur in seaward reefs to depths greater than 60 m, with rich invertebrate growth. Common in coral-rich areas exposed to currents. Usually at moderate depths in small loose groups (FishBase).

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Uncommon

Web resources

References

  • Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene (1997). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea: Second edition Crawford House Publishing, Bathurst, NSW.