Rhinecanthus rectangulus

Osteichthyes Balistidae Genus Rhinecanthus Rhinecanthus rectangulus

Wedgetail triggerfish

16.1 cm TL

Characteristic features:

Colour:

Tan to brown above, whitish below, a large oblique black band from eye to anal-fin base, a blue stripe over upper lip, a red line along pectoral fin base, two yellow v-shaped marks on posterior body, followed by a black wedge-shaped mark on caudal peduncle.

Size:

Up to 25 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo–West Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Shallow outer reefs, to 12 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds on sponges, algae, crustaceans, molluscs, worms, algae and fishes.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught by gillnets, traps and drive-in nets.

Similar species:

Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Blackbar triggerfish

Rhinecanthus aculeatus differs in having 3 rows of projecting spines on caudal peduncle (vs. 4 or 5) and 2 pairs of oblique pale bars near anal fin (vs. a large, broad oblique black band from eye to anal-fin base).

to Rhinecanthus aculeatus

Rhinecanthus verrucosus
Blackpatch triggerfish

Rhinecanthus verrucosus differs in having 3 rows of projecting spines on caudal peduncle (vs. 4 or 5) and a large roundish black blotch on lower side of body (vs. a large, broad oblique black band from eye to anal-fin base).

to Rhinecanthus verrucosus

External links:

FishBase