Triggerfish lay their demersal eggs in a small hole dug in the sea bottom. Humu-Humu – Also known as the Picasso Triggerfish, this species has a blue and black band stretching over the head from eye to eye, a white belly, yellow lips, striping along the back, and horizontal stripes leading into the tail. Predators. The Balistidae family takes its common name from a set of spines the fish use to deter predators or to “lock” themselves into holes, crevices, and other hiding spots. Black Triggerfish are one of the least aggressive of the triggerfish but they are, nevertheless, a poor choice for reef tanks. Male triggerfish maintain large territories with several females maintaining smaller territories within the male’s larger territory. Also known as Black Durgon, Black Durgon Triggerfish, Black Oldwife, Blackfish, Ebony Triggerfish, Hawaiian Black Trigger, Hawaiian Black Triggerfish, Negro Trigger, Niger Head, Nigger, Niggerfish. The Hawaiians call reef triggerfish humuhumunukunukuapua’a. The black triggerfish or black durgon (Melichthys niger), called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, is a blimp-shaped triggerfish with bright white lines running along its dorsal and anal fins.From distance, it appears to be completely black. These fish fall prey to larger fish and sharks. Triggerfishes emit a grunt-like noise when they spot a predator. This species will nip at corals and eat reef invertebrates (even sea urchins). It is one of the more aggressive Triggerfish, particularly when defending a nest of eggs. Off Florida , juveniles of some species of triggerfishes are found in floating Sargassum , where they feed on the small shrimp , crabs , and mollusks found there. You aren’t hearing things! Each female will dig a pit in the sand within their territory which will serve as a place to deposit the eggs. When sleeping this spine is used to wedge them into place in a crevasse and so deter predators from pulling them out of their bed! This warns other animals of the danger. However, in Hawaii they are known by another, much longer name.
That’s a Mouthful – The reef triggerfish is the state fish of Hawaii. An aggressive species, it will also attack and eat smaller, more passive fish.