Animal Species:Redtooth Triggerfish, Odonus niger (Rüppell, 1837)

The Redtooth Triggerfish is coloured blue to purplish with a light blue head. It is found on coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific.

Redtooth Triggerfish at Ribbon Reef

Redtooth Triggerfish at Ribbon Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Black-bodied Triggerfish, Blue Triggerfish, Red Toothed Triggerfish

Identification

The Redtooth Triggerfish is blue to purplish with a light blue head. All median fins have light blue posterior margins. The anterior portions of the second dorsal and anal fins are elevated. The caudal fin is lunate, with long lobes in adults. There are rows of small spines on the posterior sides of the body. The upturned mouth has two long red teeth in the upper jaw. These are visible when the mouth is closed.

Size range

The species grows to 40 cm in length.

Distribution

The Redtooth Triggerfish occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Odonus niger

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Redtooth Triggerfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Sometimes this fish is seen in large numbers swimming well off the bottom on steep outer reef slopes.

Feeding and Diet

It eats mainly zooplankton.

Classification

Species:
niger
Genus:
Odonus
Family:
Balistidae
Order:
Tetraodontiiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Redtooth Triggerfish, Odonus niger, Balistidae, blue, odd-shaped, 30 cm - 1 m, no pattern, coral reef, marine, adult,