Humuhumunukunukuapua'a - State Fish with Ties Elsewhere

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) is a rectangular Reef triggerfish whose Hawaiian name means 'triggerfish with a snout like a pig'. This fish was considered a symbol of Hawaii and became a global sensation in 1933 when the song My Little Grass Shack hit the radios and movies.
Although our State fish is indigenous (found in the Indo-Pacific), It was first declared the Hawaii State fish from 1985-1990. It was permanently declared Hawaii's State fish in 2006 by the Governor of Hawaii. 
The Reef triggerfish is commonly found in captivity and when found in the wild, it is alone.
It has teeth and a blue top lip.  As stated in its name, this fish has a snout like a pig and grunt (squeel) with fleeing from predators. The snout is used to blow water into the sand to find buried invertebrates for their food and other edible organisms.
The triggerfish is considered aggressive and have been known to bite swimmers that are in their area. 
The Reef triggerfish  are able to camouflage themselves. Usually their face is white, their mid area has a black stripe, and a yellow shaped Y is by the rear area. The colors will be vibrant when their are happy and healthy, then will dim or become dullish when sleeping or submitting.

                                             https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reef_triggerfish

Comments

  1. Crystal KimNovember 18, 2018 at 8:08 PM

    This fish brings me back memories of when I was a child and watched High School Musical! There was a song that was called Humuhumunukunukuapua'a and I was having such a hard time saying it because it was so confusing to say! I had no idea that this fish was considered a symbol of Hawai'i though. Thank you so much for sharing!

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