Xanthichthys greenei, also known as the Kiri triggerfish, is a relatively new species of triggerfish first identified in 2005 from Kiritimati (Christmas Island) atoll, Kiribati.[1] It is abundant on coral rubble and holes adjacent to deeper drop-offs at several localities of the coasts of Kiritimati. It has always been observed near the reef substratum, where it would seek shelter when approached.[2]
The fish was first spotted at a mesophotoic depth of 90 to 100m (295–330 ft) at the Kiritimati of the Line Islands. Brian Greene caught the first specimen with his bare hands when he was scuba diving.[3]