Indian Trigger
Melichthys indicus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
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 | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 180 gallons |
| Max Size | 10 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Indian Trigger (Melichthys indicus), also called the black-finned triggerfish, is a deep brown-to-charcoal trigger with black fins and fine white lines at the base of the dorsal and anal fins. It’s an Indian Ocean species and is often kept as an active “open-water” style trigger in large marine aquariums.
What You’ll Observe:
- Steady cruising in the water column with frequent laps around the rockwork
- A consistent “feeding-time” response, often coming out quickly when food hits the water
- Wedge-resting in a favorite rock crevice, especially in the evening
- Curious picking at rock surfaces and sand as it explores
Provide sturdy rockwork with a few larger caves while leaving plenty of open swimming room. Offer mixed meaty foods (chopped seafood, frozen blends) along with occasional nori to round out the diet and keep feeding routines consistent.
Is this species commonly mislabeled as a “Niger Trigger” or “Hawaiian black trigger”?
Yes—these fish are frequently confused in the trade, so verifying the scientific name is the most reliable way to confirm what you’re getting.
Does it look darker or lighter depending on lighting and mood?
Many keepers notice day-to-day shade shifts; the fin edging/lines are usually a more consistent ID clue than body color alone.
Will it move frags or rearrange small rocks?
It can pick up and mouth small items while exploring, so stable rock placement and secured frags make day-to-day tank life easier.
What foods help keep the teeth worn down?
Harder items like clam on the half shell or other shell-on foods (used occasionally) are commonly used alongside regular frozen and prepared foods.
Can you keep more than one together long-term?
Most hobbyists plan on keeping a single specimen unless the system is very large and introductions are managed carefully.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
Recently viewed products
