Species Name: Melichthys vidua

Authority: (Richardson, 1845)

Common Name: Pink-Tailed Triggerfish

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Durban South Africa, southern Japan, Marquesan and Tuamotu Islands, Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia

Size: 14 inches - 35 cm

Natural Environment: Inhabits clear coastal to outer reef drop-offs

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 81°F (22 - 27°C) and has a natural diet of zooplankton, small fishes, and invertebrate. Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, chopped fish or shrimp flesh, and meaty type frozen carnivore foods with two or three feedings per day. One of the more peaceful triggerfishes. And, if fed well, it makes an interesting reef fish, yet still maintains a liking for shrimp! A good community fish, however, it should be the last fish introduced and may have an appetite for much smaller fishes. Requires an aquarium larger than 75 gallons.

Aquarium Suitability: Large fish-only or reef aquariums