The Picasso Triggerfish or Huma Huma Trigger (Whitebanded Triggerfish or Painted Triggerfish) is very popular probably because of its’ very interesting color and unusual patterning.

It is quite striking with the line markings of yellow, blue and black adorning a mostly white body. This fish will emit a ‘whirring’ sound when it is startled.

To maintain a peaceful tank that houses triggerfish, be sure to provide lots of room and a cave or rocks for a retreat area. Also house-appropriate fish together that have similar needs and can hold their own. In this case larger protein eaters such as groupers, surgeonfishes, and basses, Some eels and puffers can be appropriate too.

The Picasso Triggerfish or Huma Huma Trigger are known to have a pretty good disposition for a trigger and are generally a peaceful fish.

 

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Tetraodontiformes
Family:Balistidae
Genus:Rhinecanthus
Species: aculeatus

Maintenance difficulty

The Picasso Triggerfish or Huma Huma Trigger is easy to keep. Triggers are among the hardiest of all marine fish.

Picasso Triggerfish
Image Credit: Darren J. Bradley, Shutterstock

Maintenance

Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. We generally feed squid, shrimp (the same kind people eat), mussels, and all kinds of chopped-up fish.

Habitat: Natural geographic location

Picasso Triggerfish are found in the Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to South Africa and east to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to South Africa. Commonly found in subtidal reef flats and shallow protected lagoons. Juveniles are secretive in rubble patches, adults swim about openly but are usually shy. They are a territorial fish.

Foods

In the wild they feed on algae, detritus, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, sea urchins, fishes, corals, tunicates, forams, and eggs. In the aquarium they should be fed all kinds of meaty marine foods, cut up fish, shrimp, squid, etc.

Social Behaviors

Can be aggressive towards members of its own species and fish that are the same size.

Sexual differences

Unknown.

Recommended light levels

No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction

Unknown.

Picasso triggerfish
Image Credit: elementals, Shutterstock

Temperature

No special requirements.

Length/Diameter of fish

Picasso Triggerfish or Huma Huma Trigger (Whitebanded Triggerfish or Painted Triggerfish) adults can grow to 30 cm (12 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size

A minimum 60 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong

No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom

No special requirements.

Availability

This fish is generally readily available.

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Featured Image Credit: iliuta goean, Shutterstock