Scientific ClassificationScientific Classification

Hawaiian Name:Hawaiian Name: • Black Triggerfish Black Triggerfish (Humuhumu’ele’ele)(Humuhumu’ele’ele)

• Picasso Triggerfish Picasso Triggerfish (Humuhumunukunukuapua’a)(Humuhumunukunukuapua’a)

Species:Species:

• Melichthys Niger / Rhinecanthas AculeatusMelichthys Niger / Rhinecanthas Aculeatus

Phylum:Phylum:

• ChordataChordata

Class:Class:

• ActinopterygiiActinopterygiiOrder:Order:

• TetraodontiformesTetraodontiformesFamily:Family:

• BalistidaeBalistidae

Scientific ClassificationScientific Classification

HabitatHabitat

• Warm Coastal WatersWarm Coastal Waters

• AtlanticAtlantic

• MediterraneanMediterranean

• Indo-PacificIndo-Pacific

• Coral ReefCoral Reef

• LagoonsLagoons

Distinctive CharacteristicsDistinctive Characteristics

• General Colors: Molten General Colors: Molten Browns, Yellows, and GraysBrowns, Yellows, and Grays

• Queen Triggerfish: Strikingly Queen Triggerfish: Strikingly Blue, Green, YellowBlue, Green, Yellow

• Avg. Length: 1 footAvg. Length: 1 foot

• Rough Skin and Laterally Rough Skin and Laterally Compressed BodiesCompressed Bodies

Behavioral CharacteristicsBehavioral Characteristics

• AggressiveAggressive

• TerritorialTerritorial

• SolitarySolitary

• DiurnalDiurnal

Feeding NicheFeeding Niche

• Coral ReefCoral Reef

• CrustaceansCrustaceans

• Large ZooplanktonLarge Zooplankton

• AlgaeAlgae

• OmnivorousOmnivorous

PredatorsPredators

• SharksSharks

• AmberjacksAmberjacks

• GroupersGroupers

Defense MechanismsDefense Mechanisms

• FadingFading

• GruntingGrunting

• Locking of SpinesLocking of Spines

•“Triggerfish." Wikipedia. 25 April 2008. 9 May 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triggerfish>.•“Triggerfish.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 2001–07. 10 May 2008 <www.bartleby.com/65/>.•Fenner, Bob. "Triggerfishes of the Genus Melichthys ." Wet Web Media. 1 May 2008. 11 May 2008 <http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/triggers/melichthys/index.htm>.•Hauter, Debbie & Stan. “Picasso Triggerfish.“About.com. 2 January 2008. 11 May 2008 <http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/triggerfishcare/p/propicassotrigg.htm>.•Shiino, Sueo M. "List of Common Names of Fishes of the World, Those Prevailing among English-speaking Nations." Science Report of Shima Marineland #4 1976:262.