Picasso/Lagoon Triggerfish

A friend of mine lived in Hawaii and told me that while he was there, the state selected the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa as its official state fish. I was pretty perplexed by that name and had to look it up. Once I saw the fish, it all made sense.

This is actually the fish I saw while snorkeling in Hanauma Bay years ago. I was taken back by how beautiful its colors were and by how many of them I kept seeing. Ever since then, I've been a big fan of the species, and I still love seeing them whenever I visit aquariums around the country.

Some fish catch your attention because they're rare. This one caught mine simply because it was beautiful.

​

• Scientific Name: Rhinecanthus aculeatus

• Habitat: Warm, shallow tropical waters around coral reefs, rocky areas, lagoons, and protected coastal habitats

• Range: Indo-Pacific, from the eastern coast of Africa across the Indian Ocean and through the tropical Pacific, including Hawaii

• Typical size: About 10–12 inches; can reach around 12–13 inches

• Diet: Algae, small crustaceans, mollusks, worms, sea urchins, and other small invertebrates

• Known for: Their striking geometric patterns, bold black, white, yellow, and blue markings, distinctive wedge-shaped body, and the ability to produce a grunting sound when threatened