WoRMS taxon details
Melichthys niger (Bloch, 1786)
219881 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:219881)
accepted
Species
Balistes fuscolineatus Seale, 1901 · unaccepted
Balistes kib Montrouzier, 1857 · unaccepted
Balistes kibitar Montrouzier, 1857 · unaccepted
Balistes niger Bloch, 1786 · unaccepted
Balistes piceus Poey, 1863 · unaccepted
Balistes radula Solander, 1848 · unaccepted
Balistes ringens Osbeck, 1765 · unaccepted
Balistes sillone Le Danois, 1961 · unaccepted
Balistes verrucosus Gronow, 1854 · unaccepted
Melichthys bispinosus Gilbert, 1890 · unaccepted
Melichthys piceus (Poey, 1863) · unaccepted
Melichthys radula (Solander, 1848) · unaccepted
Melichthys ringens (Osbeck, 1765) · unaccepted
Melicthys niger (Bloch, 1786) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Melicthys radula (Solander, 1848) · unaccepted (misspelling)
marine, brackish, fresh, terrestrial
(of Balistes niger Bloch, 1786) Bloch, M. E. (1786). Naturgeschichte der ausländischen Fische. <em>Berlin.</em> v. 2: i-viii + 1-160, Pls. 145-180.
page(s): 27, Pl. 152 (fig. 2) [details]
page(s): 27, Pl. 152 (fig. 2) [details]
Description Inhabits clear seaward reefs, from the reef front to deeper waters. Diet consists primarily of calcareous algae and...
Description Inhabits clear seaward reefs, from the reef front to deeper waters. Diet consists primarily of calcareous algae and zooplankton (Ref. 1602). Also feeds on phytoplankton (Ref. 5213). Caught with drive-in nets and handlines and is marketed fresh (Ref. 9770). [details]
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2025). FishBase. Melichthys niger (Bloch, 1786). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=219881 on 2025-07-13
Date
action
by
The webpage text is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Nomenclature
original description
(of Balistes fuscolineatus Seale, 1901) Seale, A. (1901). New Hawaiian fishes. <em>Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum of Polynesian Ethnology and Natural History.</em> v. 1 (no. 4): 1-15. [details]
original description (of Balistes kibitar Montrouzier, 1857) Montrouzier, X. (1857). Essai sur le faune de l'île de Woodlark ou Moiou. Ichthyologie. <em>Annales de la Société d'Agriculture, Histoire Naturelle et Arts Utiles de Lyon (sér. 2).</em> v. 8 (1856): 417-504. [details]
original description (of Balistes niger Bloch, 1786) Bloch, M. E. (1786). Naturgeschichte der ausländischen Fische. <em>Berlin.</em> v. 2: i-viii + 1-160, Pls. 145-180.
page(s): 27, Pl. 152 (fig. 2) [details]
original description (of Melichthys bispinosus Gilbert, 1890) Gilbert, C. H. (1890). A preliminary report on the fishes collected by the steamer Albatross on the Pacific coast of North America during the year 1889, with descriptions of twelve new genera and ninety-two new species. <em>Proceedings of the United States National Museum.</em> v. 13 (no. 797): 49-126. [details]
basis of record Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2025). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (06/2024)., available online at https://www.fishbase.org [details]
original description (of Balistes kibitar Montrouzier, 1857) Montrouzier, X. (1857). Essai sur le faune de l'île de Woodlark ou Moiou. Ichthyologie. <em>Annales de la Société d'Agriculture, Histoire Naturelle et Arts Utiles de Lyon (sér. 2).</em> v. 8 (1856): 417-504. [details]
original description (of Balistes niger Bloch, 1786) Bloch, M. E. (1786). Naturgeschichte der ausländischen Fische. <em>Berlin.</em> v. 2: i-viii + 1-160, Pls. 145-180.
page(s): 27, Pl. 152 (fig. 2) [details]
original description (of Melichthys bispinosus Gilbert, 1890) Gilbert, C. H. (1890). A preliminary report on the fishes collected by the steamer Albatross on the Pacific coast of North America during the year 1889, with descriptions of twelve new genera and ninety-two new species. <em>Proceedings of the United States National Museum.</em> v. 13 (no. 797): 49-126. [details]
basis of record Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2025). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (06/2024)., available online at https://www.fishbase.org [details]
Ecology
ecology source
Looby, A.; Erbe, C.; Bravo, S.; Cox, K.; Davies, H. L.; Di Iorio, L.; Jézéquel, Y.; Juanes, F.; Martin, C. W.; Mooney, T. A.; Radford, C.; Reynolds, L. K.; Rice, A. N.; Riera, A.; Rountree, R.; Spriel, B.; Stanley, J.; Vela, S.; Parsons, M. J. G. (2023). Global inventory of species categorized by known underwater sonifery. <em>Scientific Data.</em> 10(1). (look up in IMIS), available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02745-4 [details] 
Other
context source (Bermuda)
Smith-Vaniz, W. F.; Collette, B. B.; Luckhurst, B. E (1999). Fishes of Bermuda: History, zoogeography, annotated checklist, and identification keys
(American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists - Special Publication No.4)
. ASIH, 424 pp. [details]
additional source McEachran, J. D. (2009). Fishes (Vertebrata: Pisces) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 1223–1316 in: Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. [details]
additional source Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). Checklist of marine biota of China seas. <em>China Science Press.</em> 1267 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
[request]
additional source McEachran, J. D. (2009). Fishes (Vertebrata: Pisces) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 1223–1316 in: Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. [details]
additional source Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). Checklist of marine biota of China seas. <em>China Science Press.</em> 1267 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details] Available for editors
[request]
Present Present in aphia/obis/gbif/idigbio Inaccurate Introduced: alien Containing type locality
Unreviewed
Description Inhabits clear seaward reefs, from the reef front to deeper waters. Diet consists primarily of calcareous algae and zooplankton (Ref. 1602). Also feeds on phytoplankton (Ref. 5213). Caught with drive-in nets and handlines and is marketed fresh (Ref. 9770). [details]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| English | black triggerfishblack durgon | [details] |
| Japanese | ソロイモンガラクラカケモンガラ [from synonym] | [details] |
| Spanish | cochito negro | [details] |
To Barcode of Life (40 barcodes)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Balistes kibitar Montrouzier, 1857)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Balistes sillone Le Danois, 1961)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Melicthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (15 publications) (from synonym Balistes piceus Poey, 1863)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (16 publications) (from synonym Melichthys bispinosus Gilbert, 1890)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (17 publications) (from synonym Melichthys ringens (Osbeck, 1765))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (18 publications) (from synonym Melichthys piceus (Poey, 1863))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (20 publications) (from synonym Melichthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (24 publications)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (39 publications) (from synonym Balistes verrucosus Gronow, 1854)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (47 publications) (from synonym Balistes ringens Osbeck, 1765)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (5 publications) (from synonym Balistes fuscolineatus Seale, 1901)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (78 publications) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (8 publications) (from synonym Balistes radula Solander, 1848)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL) (from synonym Balistes verrucosus Gronow, 1854)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To Digital Atlas Of Marine Species & Locations, DAMSL (Black Durgon)
To Digital Atlas Of Marine Species & Locations, DAMSL (Black Durgon)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Melichthys niger)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes kib Montrouzier, 1857)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes kibitar Montrouzier, 1857)
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys ringens (Osbeck, 1765))
To FishBase
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes radula Solander, 1848)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes fuscolineatus Seale, 1901)
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys bispinosus Gilbert, 1890)
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys piceus (Poey, 1863))
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes sillone Le Danois, 1961)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes verrucosus Gronow, 1854)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes piceus Poey, 1863)
To FishBase (from synonym Melicthys niger (Bloch, 1786))
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes ringens Osbeck, 1765)
To FishBase (from synonym Melicthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To FishBase images (Melichthys niger, Brazil, by Luiz, Jr., O.)
To FishSounds
To GenBank (58 nucleotides; 48 proteins)
To GenBank (58 nucleotides; 48 proteins) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI)
To IUCN Red List (Least Concern)
To NHMUK collection (Balistes niger Park, 1794; HOLOTYPE; NHMUK:ecatalogue:2595070) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To NMNH Extant Collection (Melichthys niger USNM 207088 radiograph lateral view)
To NMNH Extant Collection (Melichthys niger USNM 439490 photograph lateral view)
To ITIS
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Balistes kibitar Montrouzier, 1857)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Balistes sillone Le Danois, 1961)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (1 publication) (from synonym Melicthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (15 publications) (from synonym Balistes piceus Poey, 1863)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (16 publications) (from synonym Melichthys bispinosus Gilbert, 1890)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (17 publications) (from synonym Melichthys ringens (Osbeck, 1765))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (18 publications) (from synonym Melichthys piceus (Poey, 1863))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (20 publications) (from synonym Melichthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (24 publications)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (39 publications) (from synonym Balistes verrucosus Gronow, 1854)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (47 publications) (from synonym Balistes ringens Osbeck, 1765)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (5 publications) (from synonym Balistes fuscolineatus Seale, 1901)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (78 publications) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (8 publications) (from synonym Balistes radula Solander, 1848)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL) (from synonym Balistes verrucosus Gronow, 1854)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL)
To Digital Atlas Of Marine Species & Locations, DAMSL (Black Durgon)
To Digital Atlas Of Marine Species & Locations, DAMSL (Black Durgon)
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Melichthys niger)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes kib Montrouzier, 1857)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes kibitar Montrouzier, 1857)
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys ringens (Osbeck, 1765))
To FishBase
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes radula Solander, 1848)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes fuscolineatus Seale, 1901)
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys bispinosus Gilbert, 1890)
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys piceus (Poey, 1863))
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes sillone Le Danois, 1961)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes verrucosus Gronow, 1854)
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes piceus Poey, 1863)
To FishBase (from synonym Melicthys niger (Bloch, 1786))
To FishBase (from synonym Balistes ringens Osbeck, 1765)
To FishBase (from synonym Melicthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To FishBase (from synonym Melichthys radula (Solander, 1848))
To FishBase images (Melichthys niger, Brazil, by Luiz, Jr., O.)
To FishSounds
To GenBank (58 nucleotides; 48 proteins)
To GenBank (58 nucleotides; 48 proteins) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI)
To IUCN Red List (Least Concern)
To NHMUK collection (Balistes niger Park, 1794; HOLOTYPE; NHMUK:ecatalogue:2595070) (from synonym Balistes niger Bloch, 1786)
To NMNH Extant Collection (Melichthys niger USNM 207088 radiograph lateral view)
To NMNH Extant Collection (Melichthys niger USNM 439490 photograph lateral view)
To ITIS
