Guide Fish Care Rating:
1 StarFamily: Balistidae
Scientific Name: Rhinecanthus rectangulus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801).
Other Common Names: Humu-Humu, Black-Wedgetail, Wegde-Tail, Pig-Nosed, Reef, and Painted Triggerfish.
This fish is also "tagged" with the Picasso name, but the Rhinecanthus aculeatus species is the "true" Picasso Triggerfish.
Hawaiian Name: Hu-mu hu-mu nu-ku nu-ku a pu-a-'a.Both the Rhinecantus rectangulus and aculeatus bear this famous long Hawaiian name. Roughly translated this name means "fish with a pig-nosed face". In short, this and most all other Triggerfishes worldwide are referred to commonly as Humu-Humu's, and sometimes incorrectly as Huma-Huma's, but these names do not actually identify an individual species one may have.
Identification:
The Rectangular Triggerfish is easily recognized by the "black wedge" near the tail, thus giving this fish its other common Wedgetail names. It has bright blue, green, golden-brown, yellow, red, black and white line markings, a distinctive large wide black band on the sides of the body and red lips, all of which makes it an easy to identify species.Distribution:
This species in Hawaii is the official state fish, but it is found in waters from Hawaii southward to central Polynesia and Australia, westward through Micronesia and Melanesia, through the East Indies including the Philippines, and across the Indian Ocean to the coast of Africa and the Red Sea.Average Size:
10 to 12 inches.Suggested Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons.
Habitat:
This fish enjoys the shallower waters inside and outside the reef where lots of rocks and creviced structures are present to hide in and search for food from. To help to reduce aggression towards other tankmates, provide ample room and shelter to allow this fish to establish an adequate sized territory of its own.Reef Tank Suitability:
Not recommended. This fish eats a wide variety of crustaceans and other invertebrates.Characteristics & Compatibility:
The Rectangular species behaves in the typical aggressive Triggerfish manor. However, it may be housed with members of the same genus, if they are all added at the same time and ample space and housing is provided. Same species juveniles can be kept together, but as they mature fights are likely to occur between them. The Rectangular Trigger is best kept in an aquarium with other similarly aggressive species of the same size or larger, as it may opportunistically eat smaller fish.Diet & Feeding:
A carnivore, this fish can be fed typical Triggerfish fares.Suggested Feedings: At least 3 times a day.
