English Name: Picasso triggerlish
Family: BALISTIDAE
Local Name: Gabulhi rondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 28 cm
Specimen: MRS/0054/86
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 angular.
Colour: Pale brown shading to white below. Complexly coloured with blackish, blue, and yellow hands. 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: lndo-Pacific.
Remarks: Rhinecanthus acu/eatus is a very common inhabitant on Maldivian reefs. It is often seen sleepingon its side at night and makes a whirring noise when startled. A popular aquarium fish.