Triggerfish experts, please ID me!

[alprazo]

This trigger was caught in shallow waters, inshore in the Maldives.
Currently in QT, so the lighting Is poor.
Overall it has a golden-tan background. White stripes on the body that turn blue towards the abdomen. Blue lines on the face. Dorsal and ventral pelvic rays are yellow and black. Tail is a dark brown. I initially thought a hybrid between a pink tail and an Indian but colors and stripes differ in both.
Thx in advance

 

[alprazo]

Maybe an Indian morph

 

[i cant think]

This trigger was caught in shallow waters, inshore in the Maldives.
Currently in QT, so the lighting Is poor.
Overall it has a golden-tan background. White stripes on the body that turn blue towards the abdomen. Blue lines on the face. Dorsal and ventral pelvic rays are yellow and black. Tail is a dark brown. I initially thought a hybrid between a pink tail and an Indian but colors and stripes differ in both.
Thx in advance

Could it be a juvenile Melichthys niger? These are native to most tropics except for the Caribbean. And from what I’ve seen in juveniles they show that whole pattern you explained.

 

[alprazo]

It’s odd. The fins are clear and yellow striped. Not black. The body color is that of a pink tail and it lacks the white stripes near the pelvic fins that are universal on the indian triggers. Still trying to figure this one out. Will post more pics once out of QT.

 

[i cant think]

It’s odd. The fins are clear and yellow striped. Not black. The body color is that of a pink tail and it lacks the white stripes near the pelvic fins that are universal on the indian triggers. Still trying to figure this one out. Will post more pics once out of QT.

The patterning is wrong for both a Pink Tail and an Indian Trigger because neither of them have stripes on their dorsal/anal fins. The other thing is, a hybrid trigger is incredibly rare in the hobby so it’s really unlikely to be a hybrid.

 

[alprazo]

Two more pics. Definitely a golden-yellow back. White edge on tail. Three yellow Stripes on the pelvis fins. Anyone have a clue on an ID?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I'm not an expert on triggers by any means, but I'd guess based on the fins and tails that it's a hybrid of Melichthys indicus with M. vidua. I could definitely be wrong, but that's my guess.

Here's one that is similar but clearly different that is supposedly a hybrid of M. niger and M. indicus:

And, here are some pics you can use for comparison:

Melichthys vidua Paddlefin Triggerfish, Paddle-fin Trigger-fish, Pink-tailed Triggerfish, White-tailed Trigger-fish

Melichthys vidua is commonly referred to as Paddlefin Triggerfish, Paddle-fin Trigger-fish, Pink-tailed Triggerfish, White-tailed Trigger-fish. Difficulty in the aquarium: Only for advanced aquarists. A aquarium size of at least 3500 Liter is recommended. Toxicity: Toxic hazard unknown.

reeflex.net

Melichthys indicus Indian triggerfish

Melichthys indicus is commonly referred to as Indian triggerfish. Difficulty in the aquarium: Only for advanced aquarists. A aquarium size of at least 2000 Liter is recommended. Toxicity: Toxic hazard unknown.

reeflex.net

and M. indicus "white phase:"

https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/03/18/35/88/240_F_318358891_aNrFz5AK67Jjv0uXcdFZKTVwBNepCPTc.jpg

 

[alprazo]

Wow. that is definitely the same fish. Thank you.

 

[alprazo]

As this hybrid has continued to grow, it colors have intensified. Turning from a golden brown to a bright yellow. Just moved it to a 600 grow out tank, hoping it will have that hybrid growth vigor.

 

[alprazo]

Hybrid Trigger

youtube.com

 

[Seansea]

Thatbthing is legit!! Also looks mean as hell

 

[alprazo]

Growing nicely but moved for better viewing.

 

[alprazo]

As this one ages, it looks more and more like a very Bright yellow Indian trigger. The white base of the fins are now present, the fins have lost their stripes, and the tail has changed too. The yellow continues to increase in intensity. Interesting to observe the changes. Anyway, thought I would share.

 

[Slicktop]

Beautiful fish, triggers are one of my favorites. I have a blue throat in my reef.. great fish

 

[alprazo]

So as this hybrid trigger matured, it lost its striped dorsal and anal fins and the tail darkened. A white striped developed at the base of the fins as well. Other than retaining a great golden color, it has taken on the phenotype of an Indian triggerfish. I wonder if they all do.