BPBM 8990Ichthyology

Melichthys niger

Black Triggerfish

As recorded: Melichthys niger (Bloch, 1786)

Animalia › Chordata › Tetraodontiformes › Balistidae

Collected by: J.E. Randall, R.L. Bowers, and A.C. BannerA.H. Banner O.R.D.M. Banner →Ralph Bowers →Johnson Randall →
Date: July 26, 1968
Locality: Johnston Atoll; outside reef about 200 yards NE of small boat channel
Island: Johnston Atoll
Depth: 8 m
Record type: Preserved specimen

22 Bishop specimens of Melichthys niger · collected 1901–1983Species page ›

Collected the same day

On July 26, 1968, J.E. Randall, R.L. Bowers, and A.C. Banner also collected 24+ other specimens.

Melichthys niger observed alive

This specimen was collected in 1968. Since 2000, iNaturalist observers have recorded 2,566 research-grade sightings in the wild, most recently on 2026-10-21.

2026-10-21

HI, US

(c) diegocast286, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

2026-10-21

Díli, Timor-Leste

(c) Roxanne Lazarus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

2026-10-20

Ali'i Drive @ Kahalu'u Beach Park, Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI 96740, USA

(c) nikosoccer1014, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

2026-10-20

Little Cayman, KY

(c) Dwight Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

2026-10-19

Flying Fish Cove Shire of Christmas Island 6798, Christmas Island

(c) Lisa Bennett, some rights reserved (CC BY)

2026-10-19

Flying Fish Cove Shire of Christmas Island 6798, Christmas Island

(c) Lisa Bennett, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Observations and photos from iNaturalist, shown only when openly licensed.

Cite this specimen

Melichthys niger. BPBM 8990. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu. GBIF occurrence 37535740. Accessed via explore.bishopmuseum.org/specimens/i/8990.

Record sources

GBIF occurrence 37535740 ↗
Data license: CC0
Last harvested October 26, 2026