Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Balistes heteracanthus
Balistes ornatissimus
Monacanthus cheverti
Rhineacanthus aculeatus
Rhinecanthus aculeatus aculeatus
Common name
Picasso triggerfish
Lagoon triggerfish
Blackbar triggerfish
Picassofish
Humuhumu
Origin
Origin: South Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean
Natural habitat: algae meadows, coral reefs and rocky areas (up to 10 m / 33 feet deep)
Dimorphism
None
Group
Balistidae
Volume
800 L / 176 Imp Gal / 211 US Gal for 1
Parameters
T°: 24 to 26°C or 75 to 79°F
pH: 8 to 8.4
Density: 1021 to 1026
Difficulty
Average
Size
25cm (10")
Longevity
15 to 20 years
Living zone
Middle and depth
Individuals
1
Food
Food
How to feed the Picasso triggerfish?
This fish is an omnivore. It easily accepts all types of food that you will propose to it. Indeed, the triggerfish is particularly voracious!
For better health, alternate its menus both in form and content. Thus you will distribute freeze-dried, live or frozen food. It will be necessary to obligatorily and regularly give him preys with a shell/hard shell so that he can wear out his teeth. Indeed, if these are too long they can prevent him from closing his mouth or even eating normally.
Watch your fingers when feeding: these fish have extremely sharp teeth.
Behavior
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Picasso triggerfish have?
The Balists have a strong character, and it grows stronger with time! They are lively, active and territorial fish.
Cohabitation
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Picasso triggerfish?
Because of its assertive and territorial temperament, we recommend the maintenance of only one Picasso triggerfish per aquarium. Indeed, these fish are very aggressive towards their congeners, and moreover with all territorial fish. The fights can be quite muscular! They can also show aggressiveness towards smaller fish that they will hunt.
Never associate invertebrates with triggerfish as they are their natural prey. You will avoid all molluscs, crustaceans, corals and anemones.
Finally, you will choose as your ferry mates species with a strong temperament, capable of standing up to the triggerfish. Examples are scorpion fish (pteroïs), large angelfish (pomacanthidae) or balloon fish (arothron).
In all cases, to ensure that its associations go well, get your triggerfish used to the presence of other species from an early age. Similarly, if you wish to keep several triggerfish in the same tank (in very large volumes only), make sure you introduce them young and at the same time.
However, caution is still required because triggerfish do not tolerate the presence of their congeners. If things go wrong, they will have to be separated quickly, which can be a material problem.
Breeding
Breeding
How to breed the Picasso triggerfish?
Impossible in captivity.
Its aquarium
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Picasso triggerfish?
For proper maintenance of a Picasso triggerfish in a community aquarium, you will need at least 8000 litres / 1760 Imp0 Gal / 2110 US0 Gal. Indeed, given its adult size and character, it needs space!
Never introduce it in a reef aquarium because it will be a carnage for your invertebrates! For the decor, plan rather algae (note that it will consume it) and rocks forming many hiding places of sufficient size. Indeed, your fish will hide at night to rest, and therefore needs secure caves (from his point of view ;) ). Pay attention to the stability of your rocks to avoid any risk of rockslide. For the ground, a simple sand will do the trick.
Protect your technical equipment because the ballista can attack it: pipes, immersion heater, etc... Also avoid plastic decorations that will be nibbled (and which have nothing to do in an aquarium).
These fish are quite polluting and make the water very dirty. You need a very good filtration and a powerful stirring in order to maintain good water quality. However, you will still need to change the water regularly.
Good To know
Good To know
Find all additional information!
There are 7 species of the family Rhinecanthus. Examples are R. rectangulus, R. verrucosus and R. assasi.
The Balistes sleep lying on their side!
They can make sounds to communicate with each other and when they fight.
How would you describe the shape of this fish? Not easy! It's a rhomboid, which means it's diamond-shaped with 6 sides. Its name "Picasso" comes from its colourful dress reminiscent of the painter's paintings.
They are robust and not very prone to diseases. Their acclimatization is also easy.
This fish is consumed in certain parts of the world (Hawaii for example). In some cases, it can cause food poisoning (Ciguatera). Although not very lethal, the symptoms are not negligible.
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