Red-toothed triggerfish – Odonus niger

Red-toothed triggerfish, Redtoothed Triggerfish, Odonus niger
Size: 50 cm
Depth: 5 - 110 m

American Samoa, Andaman and Nicobar, Australia, China, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Egypt, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, New Caledonia, Niue, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Reunion Island, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vietnam, Yemen

Arabian Sea, Celebes Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Yellow Sea

The Redtoothed Triggerfish, Odonus niger, is a striking and distinctive fish species characterized by its vibrant coloration and robust build. This intriguing marine inhabitant is found in a variety of tropical and subtropical waters around the globe.

Description & Characteristics

The Redtoothed Triggerfish, Odonus niger, is easily recognizable due to its distinctive features. The body of this fish is generally elongated and compressed laterally, with a maximum recorded size of 50.0 cm. Its coloration is equally striking, showcasing a vibrant red hue that extends across its body, punctuated by black patches on the head and along its flanks. This combination of vivid colors serves as a potent visual deterrent to potential predators.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Redtoothed Triggerfish, Odonus niger, is a reef-associated species, often found in the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones. It is typically observed in depths ranging from 5.0 to 110.0 meters, making it a common inhabitant of the neritic zone, the area of the ocean that extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf. This fish exhibits a preference for sheltered environments like rock crevices and seaward-facing reefs, using these areas as hiding places and for seeking sustenance.

Taxonomy

The Redtoothed Triggerfish, Odonus niger, belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Tetraodontiformes, and Family: Balistidae. This classification places Odonus niger within the larger group of ray-finned fishes, a diverse and successful lineage of aquatic vertebrates. The Tetraodontiformes order includes a variety of specialized and often uniquely shaped fish, such as pufferfish and triggerfish. The Balistidae family encompasses the triggerfish, which are known for their robust bodies and distinctive trigger-like spines.

Feeding

The Redtoothed Triggerfish, Odonus niger, is a carnivorous species, with a diet that primarily includes sponges and zooplankton. This opportunistic feeder plays an important role in its marine ecosystem, actively contributing to the control of prey populations and the overall balance of its habitat.

Associated Species

Image References

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