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.
- For more information on keeping this fish see: Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium
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.
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
Recommended light levels
Breeding/Reproduction
Temperature
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
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
Availability
This fish is generally readily available.
- Beginner Fish – Saltwater fish for beginners
- Community Fish – Peaceful Saltwater fish
- Hardy Fish – Hardy Saltwater fish
Featured Image Credit: iliuta goean, Shutterstock