Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus assasi)

Image source: Jo's Animal Database
General data
- Main name: Picasso triggerfish
- Local names: Assasi triggerfish, Arabian picassofish
- Climates: Tropical
- Habitat: Saltwater
- Native: Africa, Asia
- Distribution: Indian ocean, Red sea, Persian Gulf
Classification
- Genus: Rhinecanthus - Rhinecanthus
- Family: Balistidae - Triggerfishes
- Order: Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes
- Class: Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
Rhinecanthus assasi, commonly known as the Assasi triggerfish or Arabian picassofish, is a species of fish in the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes. Rhinecanthus assasi reaches up to 30 centimeters long. It is tan above and white below with blue stripes between and below the eyes. It feeds mostly on invertebrates. R. assasi mostly lives in or near coral reefs. It occurs in the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.