Picasso Triggerfish

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Common name: Picasso Triggerfish, Huma Huma Trigger, Whitebanded Triggerfish, Painted Triggerfish, Lagoon Triggerfish
Scientific name: Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Max size: 12 in / 30 cm
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.021-1.025
Temperature: 76°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C)

The Picasso triggerfish is a very beautiful fish that truly deserves the popularity it has gained. It is relatively common in the aquarium trade and if your fish store don't have it they can get it for you or you can order it online. The Picasso triggerfish is very hard to describe in words, so I recommend taking a look at the pictures instead.

The Picasso triggerfish is less aggressive than most other triggerfish but that doesn't mean that it isn't aggressive. It can be kept in community aquariums with other aggressive fish species. It should never be kept with small species as it will likely eat them. Only keep one Picasso triggerfish in the aquarium.

The Picasso triggerfish is not reef save as they will eat most small invertebrates. They will also tip over and damage corals and similar when they roam around the aquarium rearranging and exploring things.

The Picasso triggerfish have sharp teeth and might bite if it feels threatened. It is therefore good to take extra care when working in aquariums containing this species.

The Picasso triggerfish is like most triggers a hardy species and if it weren't for its size and temperament it would be an ideal beginner fish. Picasso triggerfish can be recommended to beginners that have a large enough aquarium and don't mind the fact that it is aggressive and only can be kept with other large aggressive species.  

The Picasso triggerfish have a very large native range and can be found in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic. In the Atlantic, it can be found along the west coast of Africa from Senegal to South Africa. In the Indo Pacific Ocean they can be found from the east coast of Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands. The northern distribution limit is the coast of southern Japan and the southern limit is Lord Howe Island.

Picasso Triggerfish care and aquarium setup:

The Picasso triggerfish is a large fish and should not be kept in aquariums smaller than 75 gallon / 300 L and an even bigger aquarium is to be preferred. They become very aggressive in too small aquariums. The aquarium should be decorated so as to provide the Picasso triggerfish with plenty of hiding places and plenty of things to explore. Arrange live rock in such a way that caves and overhangs are created. This fish will not feel safe and at home if not provided with enough caves. Fixate the rocks well as Picasso triggerfish like to rearrange things.

This species is best kept in "fish only" and "FOWLR" aquariums. It is not suitable for reef aquariums.

The Picasso triggerfish prefers a well lit and well circulated aquarium. This species tolerates less than ideal conditions but you should still provide good filtration and try to keep a good and stable water quality.

Ideal conditions for the Picasso triggerfish is pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.021-1.025, and temperature 72-78ºF (22-26°C).

Feeding Picasso Triggerfish

The Picasso triggerfish should be fed a varied diet. Many, but not all, specimens accept flake food and pellets.  A good diet should consist of a variety of different food sources such as different types of chopped up sea food, frozen food, preparations for omnivorous fish, live food and (if your Picasso triggerfish accepts it) flake food. They should be fed little but often. Feed them at least 2-3 times a day.

Breeding Picasso Triggerfish

We have no information about anyone successfully breeding Picasso triggerfish in a home aquarium. In the wild, the male Picasso trigger protects a territory with several females in it. Each female protects its own territory within the males' territory.  During spawning season the females dig a pit in which they spawn. This behavior makes it likely that a very large aquarium is required to breed Picasso triggerfish. Fry and larvae caught in the wild have proved very hard to raise. Sexing Picasso triggerfish is possible as males are larger than females of the same age. This method is however not very reliable.

Triggerfish Articles:

Arabian Picasso Triggerfish – Rhinecanthus assasi
Clown Trigger – Balistoides conspicillum
Niger Triggerfish – Odonus niger