Info for Rhinecanthus rectangulus    5/4/06
Hello,
<Hi there>
I am having a really hard time finding information on the "humuhumunukunukuapua'a", or Rhinecanthus rectangulus.  It's the  state fish of Hawaii.  In my
report (I am in the 7th grade), I need to know  all about their breeding habits, specifically # of offspring, birth rate and  incubation.
Hoping you might be able to help.  Maybe you already know  about trigger fish.  My report is due on Friday 5/5, so I'd really  appreciate hearing from you
soon.  Thanks so much,
Grace Diane  
<... put the scientific name in our Google search tool... and read on! Bob Fenner>

A buddy's Picasso in distress....  - 04/05/2006
<Sab>
I had a quick question for ya....  I have a buddy at work (CC'd here) with a 2" Picasso in a 40g tank with two other fish;
<Gonna get crowded...>
water parameters all sound great, am going to double check for him in case his test reagents are old/faulty.  Sounds like a decent setup given the
inhabitants' current size; also, the tank's in good shape/health aside from this little trigger.  He's been in the tank for 5 months and has started
showing signs that he might be blind.
<Does happen>
He tries to go for food and fails to find it.  He apparently acts as though he wants to eat, just can't see/get the food.  The only things I can think
of that might be issues are nutritional problems and toxic metals (copper, etc).
<These are the most common...>
I think we've ruled out the latter though.  The fish are fed on frozen krill, Mysis, brine shrimp, and flakes.  I've suggested he start trying some
frozen/thawed human-consumption fish/shellfish meats, foods soaked in Selcon, maybe some Spectrum pellets, but I'm just not sure if nutritional
  issues would blind a fish?
<Yes, can/do>
  I've read so in a couple of places, but....  is there anything else that I'm missing?  Other things that cause blindness in fish/triggers?
<Likely the third most common "cause" are pathogenic/parasitic problems... next, too-bright/continuous lighting...>
Am currently recommending quarantining the critter so he won't have competition for food and trying to get something into his little concave
belly.  Any other thoughts?
Also, Brent, the link for the conference is http://www.wmc2006.org - hope to see ya there!
-Sabrina
<Oh, yes. And do send along a close-up pic of this fish's eyes if you can.
Bob Fenner>

Re: A buddy's Picasso in distress.... blindness - 04/05/2006
thanks to both of you.  I'll get a close-up of his eyes soon.  as far as lighting goes, i have a 50/50 skylight/actinic on a timer (no reef/coral
set-up), so i don't think that's it.
<Me neither... Bob Fenner>

Triggerfish and Corallimorphs tog.?   2/14/06
I was wondering if I should take a chance of having a mushroom colony with a Picasso Triggerfish? I know that triggerfish are known to bother corals
somewhat but I just want to know my chances of keeping both. (btw I don't have the mushrooms or the triggerfish yet)
<Mmm, I give you about 50:50 odds that they'll co-exist... but no telling when the Rhinecanthus might munch the shrooms. Bob Fenner>

Rectangular Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus Sp.) Tankmates - 02/12/06
Dear Eric,
<<Hello Akila>>
Hope everything is fine there.
<<Not so bad my friend...thank you for asking.>>
Everything is going as planned in my main and quarantine tank.  I still didn't put any fish to the main tank even after a month of cycling.
<<Excellent to hear!>>
I am going to wait a little bit more and work on my quarantining process.
<<Super!>>
There is a 4" Rectangular triggerfish in the same tank with some Domino damsels at the LFS.  So I was wondering whether to buy the
fellow, quarantine it and put him with my 2 damsels and the clown. Do you think it'll be fine?  Cuz I heard that Rectangular, Niger and Humu Picasso triggers are quite peaceful than the rest.
<<The Rhinecanthus specie of trigger does make an excellent aquarium fish.  But as it matures/gets larger (10" or more in captivity) it will become more aggressive and need to be housed with equally aggressive (or more agile) fishes.  Domino damsels are actually a pretty good choice for tankmates here...though I don't consider them very attractive as adults.>>
Also later on in about 2 - 3 months time I am planning to buy a 4" Butterfly fish & a 2" Fire Goby.  Do you think the Rectangular   Trigger will be compatible with them?
<<It will probably be fine with the butterfly for a time...the goby is questionable in my opinion.>>
Appreciate your response, thanks.
Best regards,
Akila
<<Take care my friend, EricR>>

AP Fish Article Humu to Huma for HI State fish... sez who brah?  1/30/06
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DETHRONED_FISH?SITE=KJLL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
<To heck with the government! BobF>
Maybe the fish needs a vote in the matter!
<Or a bite!>

Compatibility of anemone and clownfish with Humu Humu trigger
Hi!  I love your site and all your extremely informative Q&A -- what a remarkable resource!  Thank you for what you do! <Much appreciated>
Here's my question:  I have a very friendly <There are no friendly triggers> and relatively docile humu
(about 4 inches) humu living very happily with a convict damsel in a 40 gallon FOWLR system. <Much too small a tank.> The two don't seem to bother each other at all and have been very peaceable roommates for over two years.  I would like to add a clownfish (percula, likely, although possibly a Clark) along with an
anemone.  In fact, I just bought a pink anemone today at the LFS largely since the man at the store didn't seem to think there would be any
incompatibility problem.  I thought I would give the anemone a chance to make itself at home before introducing the clownfish.  After now searching
the issue of compatibility between the humu humu and the anemone I am now suddenly alarmed at the thought that the humu humu might nibble at and
ultimately kill the anemone.  (I know, I should have figured this out in advance of buying the thing.)  Is it highly likely that the humu humu will
munch on the anemone or simply a somewhat possible eventuality?  Is the little convict damsel likely to succumb to the anemone's tentacles?  Should
I take the anemone back to the store tomorrow and forget the idea of giving the clownfish an anemone home? <Bad idea all together, take the anemone back.  Triggerfish should never be trusted with inverts.> Also, would the humu humu be likely to harass the new clownfish? <Yes> Does it depend very much on the relative size of the clown? <No> (the Clark would be about 3 inches and the percula would be a little guy - perhaps 1.5-2 inches).  Separately, what do you think of the idea of introducing a lunare wrasse into this environment?  Would the wrasse be likely to upset the happy relationship between the humu humu and the
convict? <As the trigger grows your tank will not be able to support any more fish.  Your trigger can attain a length of up to 10 inches and they do grow quite fast.  A 70 gallon tank would be the minimum size for this trigger.>
Thank you in advance for you advice. <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>

Humu humu Compatibility - 12/17/2005
Hi,
<Hello, Josh here.>
I've never posted a question before so I don't know if I'm supposed to send you an email like this or simply follow the link your site.  So, I apologize if you receive this twice....
<I only see this one, so, unless Bob got one...>   
Hi!
<Uh.. Hi there! Josh here today.>
I love your site and all your extremely informative Q&A -- what a remarkable resource! Thank you for what you do!
<Actually thank you! We couldn't do it without all the participation!>
  Here's my question: I have a very friendly and relatively docile Humuhumu (about 4 inches) living very happily with a convict damsel in a 40 gallon FOWLR system. The two don't seem to bother each other at all and have been very peaceable roommates for over two years.
<As with any Triggerfish, this can change. The fact that it's tank is too small increases the chances.>
I would like to add a clownfish (percula, likely, although possibly a Clark) along with an anemone.
<If you're trying to  pair them up, make sure you do the adequate research. There are many mixes that don't work, others that work only sometimes.>
In fact, I just bought a pink anemone today at the LFS largely since the man at the store didn't seem to think there would be any incompatibility problem.
<YAY! Did you research any on this type before your purchase? How about the best route to success for a Clown host?>
I thought I would give the anemone a chance to make itself at home before introducing the clownfish.
<Should also make sure you can make it at home. Give a bit of time here, and learn all you can on its care. Anemones aren't easy and should not be taken lightly.>
After now searching the issue of compatibility between the humu humu and the anemone I am now suddenly alarmed at the thought that the Humu humu might nibble at and ultimately kill the anemone.
<Better late then never (sort of). There is a chance it may happen. No way to know that it won't happen later either.>
(I know, I should have figured this out in advance of buying the thing.)
<Better luck next time.>
Is it highly likely that the Humuhumu will munch on the anemone or simply a somewhat possible eventuality?
<I'd say it's highly likely a chance he'll try it. Whether he likes it or not...>
Is the little convict damsel likely to succumb to the anemone's tentacles?
<Is this a Dascyllus (striped)? Probably not. Smart and quick.>
Should I take the anemone back to the store tomorrow and forget the idea of giving the Clownfish an anemone home?
<That's what I would advise.>
Also, would the Humu humu be likely to harass the new clownfish?
<Probably, at least upon introduction. The Damsel would as well.>
Does it depend very much on the relative size of the clown? (the Clark would be about 3 inches and the percula would be a little guy - perhaps 1.5-2 inches).
<The closer sized to the Trigger the better.>
Separately, what do you think of the idea of introducing a lunare wrasse into this environment? Would the wrasse be likely to upset the happy relationship between the Humu humu and the convict?
<Any introduction is going to cause some "activity". Introduction to an undersized tank will likely cause negative activity.>
Thank you in advance for you advice.
<No problem. I would abandon the anemone idea and plan a tank upgrade, too small for the Picasso. - Josh>

Trigger Feeding  12/17/05
Hi,
   <Howdy>
  I have a feeding question that was not directly answered in my searches.  I have a Picasso trigger that is about four inches in a 55 gal tank.
<... too small a world...>
He had some damsel buddies but he is now alone.  My question is how much and how often should I feed?
<Once, twice a day... more frequently, smaller amounts>
The reason I am asking is because anytime anyone passes within 5 feet of the tank or once it is dark outside, the trigger violently swims at the top front of the tank, back and forth for hours.
<Territorial... not for food directly>
In fact, lately it has been his activity half to 3/4 of the day.  He breaths hard doing this, and I am wondering if he is stressed.
<Good question>
  I don't know if I should be doing something different in how I feed.  I was feeding (krill and silversides) once in the morning and once at night when the actinic lights were on (which are timed to be on a hour before and an hour after the whites).  I try to increase it to three moderate portions, but the erratic swimming has worsened.  I drop the food in at the surface by the outflow of the protein skimmer, should I
do something different than that (use a feeding stick maybe)?  I don't see other triggers his size do this, so I am guessing it is something I am doing.  Any help you can provide would be helpful.  By the way, at last check pH and salinity were optimal, and I have a Remora skimmer, a Rena canister filter, with 2 powerheads and approx. 40-45 pounds of live rock.  I've had the trigger since July and he has been alone for 2 weeks.   
  JWA
<This fish/species needs more room... should be placed near last to avoid agonistic behavioral troubles... as you'll experience should you try placing something with it in the 55. Bob Fenner>