Picasso Triggerfish Small 2"
$29.99
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Picasso Triggerfish Small 2"
$29.99
The Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus, also called the lagoon triggerfish or humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa in Hawaii) is a vibrant, intelligent marine fish native to Indo-Pacific coral reefs and shallow lagoons.
Key Facts & Appearance
- Scientific Name: Rhinecanthus aculeatus (or Rhinecanthus assasi in the Red Sea)
- Size: Grows up to 10 to 12 inches (25–30 cm) in length
- Appearance: Features a tan-to-cream body with bold black diagonal bands, electric blue stripes across the top of the head, a bright yellow stripe from cheek to cheek, and a small blue ring around the mouth.
- The "Trigger" Mechanism: Possesses a specialized first dorsal spine that can lock upright into rocky crevices to anchor itself and prevent predators from pulling it out.
- Vocalizations: Known to make grunting or snorting sounds by grinding its teeth and vibrating its swim bladder.
Aquarium Care
- Minimum Tank Size: At least 75 to 90 gallons for a juvenile/medium fish, scaling up to 120–180+ gallons for a full-grown adult.
- Water Parameters: Temperature of 72–78°F (or up to 82°F), pH of 8.1–8.4, and specific gravity (salinity) of 1.020–1.025.
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive and heavily territorial; they will dig in the sand, rearrange rockscapes, and bite if threatened.
- Reef Compatibility: Not reef-safe. They actively hunt shrimp, crabs, snails, and other invertebrates, and may nip at corals or clams.
- Diet: Carnivorous; requires a varied diet of meaty foods like mysis shrimp, krill, squid, and hard-shelled items to wear down their continuously growing teeth.