Description
Also known as Blackbar Triggerfish, Hawaiian Triggerfish, Huma Huma Trigger, Humu Picasso Triggerfish, Lagoon Huma, Lagoon Triggerfish, Painted Trigger, Painted Triggerfish, Picassofish, Picasso Triggerfish, Prickly Triggerfish, Reef Triggerfish, White-barred Triggerfish.
Found singly or in small schools, protecting their territories, over shallow, protected reef flats and lagoons.
They feed on algae, corals, crustaceans, detritus, eggs, fish, invertebrates, and sea urchins.
Juveniles found secretively, close to holes in rubble patches.
Length - 25cm
Depth - 0-50m
Widespread Indo-Pacific
Picasso's dig their shelters under solid objects by swimming sand away. This is done by putting their mouth against a solid object and swim like crazy, thereby creating a current that takes the sand away and making a little nest area. They sleep on their sides and make a whirring noise when alarmed to deter predators.
Triggerfish have a hard spine Dorsal Fin that can be locked.
When sleeping this spine is used to wedge them into place in a crevasse and so deter predators from pulling them out of their bed!
The spine is also held erect as a warning to other fish to stay away.
Several large Titans blow shallow depressions in the sand for nesting and if approached will raise this spine as a warning, if ignored they may charge, even divers! especially the Titan Triggerfish who will take a tasty bite!! Beware!!! Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5839
2 comments
Posted by @fishx6Thank you
Posted by @dreimersThis is not the state fish of Hawaii, and is not to be confused with the Reef Triggerfish. The state fish of Hawaii is the Reef, or Wedgetail Triggerfish. While the Wedgetail Triggerfish is plentiful in Hawaii, the Picasso is there also, but not near as plentiful.