Halfmoon Triggerfish, Rhinecanthus lunula Randall & Steene, 1983

Scientific name: Rhinecanthus lunula
Halfmoon Triggerfish, Rhinecanthus lunula Click to enlarge image
A Juvenile Halfmoon Triggerfish at Fairy Bower, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales, 21 May 2013. Image: John Sear
© John Sear

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Rhinecanthus
    Species
    lunula
    Family
    Balistidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 28 cm in length.

Identification

The species can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It is yellowish to greyish above and white below. There are four blue bars over the eyes, a yellow line extending back from the mouth, a dark band on the caudal peduncle, a large black area above the anus and a curved band on the rear of the body.

Distribution

The Halfmoon Triggerfish occurs widely across the tropical Pacific. In Australia the species is 'officially' known from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland south to northern New South Wales. Juveniles are found further south. The fish in the image was observed well south of the recognised distribution of the species.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.