Wedgetail triggerfish
Rhinecanthus rectangulus
Also known as Reef triggerfish, Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, Wedge-tail triggerfish, Rectangular triggerfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.0–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 180 gal
- 680 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Not reef safe
- Family
- Balistidae
- Origin
- Native to the Indo-Pacific, living on shallow reef flats and surge zones where it grazes and shelters in rock.
Overview
The wedgetail triggerfish is an active, curious reef trigger with bold markings. It is aggressive and not reef safe, so it is best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
The wedgetail triggerfish's Hawaiian name, humuhumunukunukuapuaa, loosely means triggerfish with a snout like a pig. The word is often cited as one of the longest in the Hawaiian language.
Caring for the wedgetail triggerfish
Keep a single wedgetail triggerfish in a fish-only tank, with or without live rock, of at least 180 gal (680 L). It rearranges loose rock and sand, so build solid rockwork. Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.0 to 8.4.
Feed hard-shelled foods such as clams, mussels and shrimp in the shell, along with marine meats. It is not reef safe and eats shrimp, crabs, snails and urchins.
The wedgetail is aggressive and holds a strong territory around its patch of rock, so choose tank mates with caution. House it with similarly assertive fish. Add it last, so it does not claim the tank before the others settle.
Good to know
The wedgetail triggerfish, Rhinecanthus rectangulus, has a black wedge running back from the eye, blue lips and a diagonal dark bar edged in yellow. It is the reef triggerfish made famous as Hawaii's state fish, and it shares its Hawaiian name with its cousin the lagoon triggerfish. When alarmed it darts into a crevice and locks its dorsal trigger spine to wedge itself in tight. It grunts audibly by grinding its teeth when disturbed.
In the wild
Wedgetail triggerfish are native to the Indo-Pacific. They live on shallow reef flats and in surge zones, where they graze and shelter in the rock.
Common questions
What size tank does a wedgetail triggerfish need?
A wedgetail triggerfish needs at least 180 gal (680 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a wedgetail triggerfish need?
A wedgetail triggerfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.
What does a wedgetail triggerfish eat?
A wedgetail triggerfish eats hard-shelled foods such as clams, mussels and shrimp in the shell. Give it marine meats as well.
How big does a wedgetail triggerfish get?
An adult wedgetail triggerfish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Related species
11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Picasso triggerfish
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Undulated triggerfish
Balistapus undulatus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)125 gal (473 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bursa triggerfish
Sufflamen bursa
9.8 in (25 cm) · 125 gal (473 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)106 gal (400 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Crosshatch triggerfish
Xanthichthys mento
11.8 in (30 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Niger triggerfish
Odonus niger
11.8 in (30 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)
19.7 in (50 cm)300 gal (1,135 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Clown triggerfish
Balistoides conspicillum
19.7 in (50 cm) · 300 gal (1,135 L)