Black Durgon

Melichthys niger

The black durgon (Melichthys niger) is a medium-sized triggerfish reaching about 35 cm found circumtropically in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. It is one of the most uniformly colored triggerfish, with an entirely dark brown to black body accented by thin pale blue to white lines at the bases of the dorsal and anal fins. It aggregates in midwater above outer reef slopes and drop-offs, feeding on algae, planktonic organisms, and floating debris. Unlike many aggressive triggerfish, the black durgon is generally shy and non-threatening to divers. It is particularly common in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and isolated oceanic islands.