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
- 106 gal
- 400 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
Keep a single wedgetail in a fish-only or FOWLR tank of at least 400 litres with solid rockwork, at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.0 to 8.4. It is not reef safe: it eats shrimp, crabs, snails and urchins and rearranges loose rock and sand. House it with similarly assertive fish and add it last so it does not claim the tank before others settle. Feed hard-shelled foods like clams, mussels and shrimp in the shell along with marine meats.
In the wild
The wedgetail triggerfish is a boldly marked fish with a black wedge running back from the eye, blue lips and a diagonal dark bar edged in yellow across the body. It is the reef triggerfish made famous as Hawaii's state fish. It is active, curious and holds a strong territory around its patch of rock.
Good to know
Rhinecanthus rectangulus is one of two fish that share the Hawaiian name humuhumunukunukuapuaa, which loosely means triggerfish with a snout like a pig. When alarmed it darts into a crevice and locks its dorsal trigger spine to wedge itself in tight. It grunts audibly when disturbed by grinding its teeth.
Did you know
This fish shares the tongue-twisting name humuhumunukunukuapuaa with its cousin the lagoon triggerfish, and the word is often cited as one of the longest in the Hawaiian language.
Common questions
What size tank does a Wedgetail triggerfish need?
A Wedgetail triggerfish needs at least 106 gal (400 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.
How big does a Wedgetail triggerfish get?
An adult Wedgetail triggerfish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Related species
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