Did you know the Triggerfish was used as a substitute for pigs in some religous cermonies by the early Hawaiians? Triggerfish were also dried and used as cooking fuel.

Rhinecathus rectangulus

Description • The Triggerfish has an angular body and distinctive color pattern and grows from 7 to 12 inches long. The dorsal spike and the lower body trigger allow the fish to lock itself in a hole making it next to impossible to pull them out. When threatened, it dives into a hole and wedges itself.
Its eyes are high on its head and can move independently so it can scan the reef for food. When faced with a predator, it makes grunting sounds like a pig. It can hover over the reef and can go forward and backwards. Its jaws are powerful and can injure a fisherman.

Habitat • Triggerfish live in shallow water outside the reef.

Diet • TheTriggererfish swims close to the bottom searching for potential food such as algae, small crustaceans, brittle stars, worms, and snails.

In 1984 the Triggerfish was elected Hawaii's state fish.

Did you know "humuhumu" means "to fit pieces together" and "nukunuku-a-pua'a" means "snout like a pig"? The early Hawaiians thought the Triggerfish had piglike habits.