Black Trigger
Melichthys niger
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 18 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Black Triggerfish (often listed as the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish) is a deep brown trigger with dark fins and thin white lines near the base of the dorsal and anal fins. In the aquarium it tends to be an active, open-water cruiser that uses rockwork and caves as a home base.
What You’ll Observe:
- Long, steady laps across the tank, often swimming high in the water column
- A consistent “home” crevice it returns to between patrols
- Quick recognition of feeding time, including waiting at the front glass
- Noticeable shifts between lighter brown and darker tones depending on lighting and activity
How to Succeed: Provide sturdy rockwork with multiple caves plus clear swimming lanes, and plan for a strong filtration routine to match this fish’s appetite and activity level. Offer a varied menu of meaty foods, and mix in sheets of marine algae so it can graze between meals.
Why do some Black Triggers look almost jet-black on certain days?
Color shifts are common—lighting angle, background, and the fish’s activity can make it appear lighter brown or much darker.
Is it normal for a Black Trigger to wedge itself tightly into rockwork at night?
Yes. Many triggers pick a specific crevice and “lock in” to rest, then resume cruising once the lights come on.
How can I avoid confusing Melichthys niger with the smaller Melichthys indicus in stores?
Ask for the scientific name on the invoice and compare photos carefully—hobbyists frequently report these two being mislabeled as “black trigger.”
Why does my trigger rush food and miss it in high flow?
Keepers often note triggerfish key in on scent and then lunge; heavy circulation can make the “last inch” targeting look clumsy until you find a consistent feeding spot.
Will it take nori or algae sheets, or only meaty foods?
Many owners report strong interest in algae sheets (sometimes grabbing a full sheet quickly), so offering nori can be a practical way to add grazing time between protein-heavy feedings.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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