White-banded triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

Scientific name: Rhinecanthus aculeatus Linnaeus, 1758

White-banded triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

The White-banded triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) is a marine fish of the family Balistidae that grows to about 25.4 cm (10 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 380 L (100 US gal), water at 22.2–27.8°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 8.1–8.4. Native range: Widespread, 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.

White-banded triggerfish care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
25.4 cm (10 in)
Minimum tank
380 L (100 US gal)
Temperature
22.2–27.8°C (72–82°F)
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
8–12 dGH (143–214 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore
Reef safe
No

Biology

Commonly found in subtidal reef flats and shallow protected lagoons,. Benthopelagic. Juveniles secretive with rubble patches, adults swim about openly but are usually shy. Territorial. Feed on algae, detritus, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, sea urchins, fishes, corals, tunicates, forams, and eggs. Oviparous. Sleep on its side; makes a whirring noise when alarmed. Also caught with drive-in nets and is considered a popular aquarium fish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Family
Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Order
Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
30.0
Common length
15.0
Depth range
0–50 m (0–164 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 50 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
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.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.4)

More triggers, puffers & boxfish

See all triggers, puffers & boxfish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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