A painted face and a fierce attachment to one patch of reef make this fish hard to overlook.
- Local names
- 'O'iri'uo'uo
About this species
Brown markings and white patches break up a beige body. Dark marks around the eyes are crossed by blue, and a yellow line runs back from the mouth. This mostly carnivorous omnivore blows jets of water into sand to expose hidden prey.
During breeding, the fish vigorously confronts intruders, including swimmers. It may face an approaching animal before turning to bite. Both sexes hold territories, and research has followed some individuals for more than eight years. A male’s territory may overlap those of several females; females tend the eggs after spawning.
- Guide des poissons de Tahiti et ses îles, Indo-Pacific Fish conference Tahiti 2017, P. Bachet, T. Zysman, Y. Lefèvre, Au vent des îles
- DORIS - Rhinecanthus aculeatus
- FishBase - Rhinecanthus aculeatus