Description:

Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal rays: 23-26; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 21-23.

Body compressed with elongated head. Body is largely whitish with a dark region midlaterally. Blue line above upper lip. Four blue lines cross between the eyes and there 
are three blue lines between the eyes and the pectoral fin bases. A yellow line enclosing a blue 'moustache' runs between the mouth and the pectoral fin base. There are 
four white-blue stripes descending from the side of the body to the anal fin. Three longitudinal rows of black tail spines with white border. The upper two rows extend 
anteriorly onto the body, lowest row restricted to caudal peduncle.
 

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 30cm TL.

Habitat and Ecology:

Coral reefs, lagoon areas and subtidal reef flats (depth 0-50m). Juveniles secretive often in rubble patches, adults swim openly but are usually shy.  Feeds on a variety 
of benthic organisms including fishes, sea urchins, crustaceans, polychaetes, gastropods, corals and algae. Territorial and haremic with male territories overlapping two 
or three female territories. Pair-spawning occurs around sunrise and females care for the demersal eggs until hatching. Sleeps on its side; makes a whirring noise when 
alarmed.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It may be caught in the artisanal fishery but if so it is an exceedingly rare component of the catch. 

Notes:

Photo courtesy of Alain Decomarmond (c) 2018.

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.

 

References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). Fishbase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/rhinecanthus-aculeatus (05/11/18).
McGrouther, M. (2013). Hawaiian Triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus. Australian Museum. https://australianmuseum.net.au/hawaiian-triggerfish-rhinecanthus-aculeatus (05/11/18).
Morris, J.A. & Schofield, P.J. (2018). Rhinecanthus aculeatus: USGS, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2766,
Revision Date: 4/30/2018, Peer Review Date: 1/4/2016, Access Date: 05/11/2018
Smith, M & Heemstra, P Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Rhinecanthus aculeatus, White-banded triggerfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/rhinecanthus-aculeatus-linnaeus-1758/  (edited 19/06/22).