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  • English Name : Picasso triggerfish
  • Local Name : Gabulhi rondu
  • Size : Max. 28 cm
    Family : BALISTIDAE
  • Order : Tetraodontiformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 24-26 rays. Anal fin with 21-23 rays. Pectoral fin with 12-14 rays. Head pointed; dorsal and ventral profiles nearly straight. 3 rows of forward curving spines on caudal peduncle. Caudal fin rounded to double emarginate, the corners regular.
  • Colour: Pale brown shading to white below. Complexly coloured with blackish, blue and yellow bands. Peduncular spines black edged with blue. Anus black.
  • Habitat and Biology: Common on shallow lagoon reef environments dominated by sand. Omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates, fishes and also algae.
  • Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
  • Remarks: Rhinecanthus aculeatus is a very common inhabitant on Maldivian reefs. It is often seen sleep-
    ing on its side at night and makes a whirring noise when startled. A popular aquarium fish.