Red Sea Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus assasi)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Rhinecanthus assasi
- Common name
- Red Sea Picasso triggerfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Balistidae
- Genus
- Rhinecanthus
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 1–25 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, sand
- Behaviours
- solitary, territorial
- Ocean zones
- Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Rhinecanthus assasi reaches 30 cm. Oval white-to-cream body adorned with characteristic blue, yellow and black geometric patterns: oblique black band from snout to dorsal, yellow accents around the mouth, blue spots on the tail. Endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Territorial on shallow mixed sand-reef bottoms between 1 and 25 m. Its abstract patterns earn it comparison to a Picasso painting.
Photo of Red Sea Picasso triggerfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Red Sea Picasso triggerfish?
- Red Sea Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus assasi) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Red Sea Picasso triggerfish?
- Red Sea Picasso triggerfish is found between 1–25 m deep.
- Is the Red Sea Picasso triggerfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Red Sea Picasso triggerfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Red Sea Picasso triggerfish?
- Found in: Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Rhinecanthus
Other species in the family Balistidae
- Balistes vetula - Queen triggerfish
- Sufflamen bursa - Scythe triggerfish
- Balistapus undulatus - Orange-lined triggerfish
- Odonus niger - Redtoothed triggerfish
- Canthidermis sufflamen - Ocean triggerfish
- Canthidermis maculata - Spotted Triggerfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 219887)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2407230)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia