The Picasso Triggerfish, scientifically named Rhinecanthus assasi and also called the Assasi triggerfish or Arabian picassofish, is part of the Balistidae family, commonly known as triggerfishes. This tropical fish is typically found in the undefined, especially the 🌊 Red Sea and the 🌊 Persian Gulf, as well as surrounding areas like the 🌊 Gulf of Oman. It thrives in coral reefs at depths ranging from 1 to 25 meters (3 to 82 feet), where it usually seeks shallow sandy and rubble areas, and juveniles are often seen on reef flats.
Reaching up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) in length, the Picasso Triggerfish is distinguished by its striking coloration: a tan upper body and a white lower body accented with blue stripes around the eyes. Its diet mainly consists of invertebrates found on the ocean floor.
Known for its timid and cautious behavior, the fish tends to stay close to shelter. It is commonly caught using artisanal fishing methods, such as pots. The name Rhinecanthus is derived from Greek, combining "rhinos," meaning nose, and "akantha," meaning thorn, likely referring to its distinctive shape or features.
Why it's threatened
Rhinecanthus assasi is occasionally taken by bottom trawls in the Persian Gulf (Carpenter et al. 1997), but this is not thought to be a major threat at this time (K. Matsuura pers. comm. 2014).
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
