Melichthys vidua

(Richardson, 1845)

Vernacular names
English : Pinktail triggerfish
French : Baliste veuf

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Balistidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 40 cm in length. Body color dark olive with dark edges to every flank scale giving reticulated effect. Grey face with thin radiating bands from yellow eye. Yellow pectoral fin, white dorsal and anal fins, pink-white tail fin.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area from East Africa to New Caledonia, Marquesas Islands and Hawaii, to south Japan and Great Barrier Reef. Lives in seaward rocky and coral reefs to more than 60 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species could be declining locally because of habitat loss and overcollection for the trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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