Marine Life

Reef triggerfish

Gabulhi fattaa rondu

Rhinecanthus rectangulus

The Rhinecanthus rectangulus can be easily distinguished from the R. aculeatus by its color pattern. Both species inhabit shallow areas, with R. rectangulus preferring more exposed locations, and it is also a very wary fish, making it difficult to approach underwater.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 25 cm
color: Ground colour olive brown above, pale below. Black band across body, and black triangular patch on caudal peduncle. Black areas partially outlined with green-yellow. Orange at base of pectoral.
order: Tetraodontiformes
family: Balistidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/rhinecanthus-rectangulus.png
habitat and biology: Frequently found in shallow reef habitats that are exposed to strong currents, the diet of R. aculeatus is even more diverse than other species, consisting of a variety of invertebrates, fishes and algae.
distinctive characters: The dorsal fin has three spines and 23-24 rays, the anal fin has 20-21 rays, the pectoral fin has 13-15 rays, there are no grooves in front of the eyes, and there are four to five rows of small, forward-curving spines posteriorly on the body. The caudal fin is rounded with acute corners.