Rhinecanthus rectangulus
The humuhumunukunukuapua’a, also known as Humuhumu, and reef triggerfish, is a species of marine fish that is known for its distinctive shape and bright coloration. It has a laterally compressed body and a triangular dorsal fin that is capable of locking into an upright position, allowing the fish to wedge itself into crevices to avoid predators.
The fish typically grows to between 12 and 16 inches in length and has a yellow or orange color with black stripes and spots. It has a small mouth and sharp teeth that it uses to crush the shells of its prey. The fish is a hardy species that is popular in aquariums and is also considered a good game fish.
The humuhumunukunukuapua’a is found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, including the Hawaiian Islands, the Society Islands, and the Tuamoto Archipelago. It typically inhabits coral reefs and is commonly found in shallow lagoons and near shore areas.
As for diet, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a feeds on a variety of small fish and invertebrates, such as crustaceans, mollusks and echinoderms. It is known to be an opportunistic feeder, and will also take advantage of other food sources, such as algae and detritus, when available.
In the wild, they are known to be active predators, they use their sharp teeth to crush the shells of their prey and they also use their strong jaws and sharp teeth to crush the shells of mollusks, crustaceans, and other hard-bodied prey.
The humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) is a species of triggerfish in the family Balistidae .It is the state fish of Hawaii and is known for its unique name and distinctive shape. The genus name for the humuhumunukunukuapua’a is Rhinecanthus and the family is Balistidae.
The Balistidae family, also known as the filefish and triggerfish, contains about 40 species. They are known for their distinctive shape, bright coloration, and hardy nature. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, typically in coral reefs and near-shore areas.
