Wedgetail triggerfish
Rhinecanthus rectangulus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Wedgetail triggerfish
- Scientific
- Rhinecanthus rectangulus
- Dhivehi
- ގަބުޅިފައްޓާ ރޮނޑުGabulhi fattaa rondu
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 30 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 25 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 20 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2022
Description
A triggerfish with an olive-brown back, white head and belly, a broad black band running diagonally from the eye to the anal fin and a black wedge on the tail base, both partly outlined in yellow-green. It favours shallow outer reefs exposed to surge and eats a wide range of invertebrates, algae and small fish.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name gabulhi fattaa rondu (MRS 1997). MRS notes it prefers more exposed places than the white-banded triggerfish.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Rhinecanthus-rectangulus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ގަބުޅިފައްޓާ_ރޮނޑު
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Reef_Triggerfish_1.JPG
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Gabulhi fattaa rondu' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ގަބުޅިފައްޓާ ރޮނޑު' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Furondu' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.