Reef triggerfish - Definition and Overview

Reef Triggerfish
The Reef Triggerfish, or humuhumu nukunuku apua‘a, is the state fish of Hawai‘i.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Tetraodontiformes Family: Balistidae Genus: Rhinecanthus Species: rectangulus
Binomial name
Rhinecanthus rectangulus Bloch & Schneider, 1801

The Reef Triggerfish, also known by its Hawaiian name humuhumu nukunuku apua‘a, is one of several species of triggerfish. Classified as Rhinecanthus rectangulus, it is endemic to the salt water coasts of various central and south Pacific Ocean islands.

The Reef Triggerfish is especially prominent in the coral reefs of the Hawaiian Islands, where it is revered as the official state fish.