HYBRID WEDGETAIL/LAGOON TRIGGERFISH
Rhinecanthus rectangulus x aculeatus
   In September 2022 Don Mcleish photographed this unusual triggerfish at Kahekili Beach Park on Maui (also called Old Airport Beach). It appears to be a cross between the common Wedgetail Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) and the less common Lagoon Triggerfish (R. aculeatus). Hybrids are often the result of a fish of an uncommon species not being able to find a partner and thus pairing up with a fish of a common, closely-related species. I had never heard of hybrid triggerfish before, but a little research revealed that they do occur from time to time.

UPDATE: In December 2023 Judith Culler photographed what is probably the same fish at Kahekili Beach Park (photo below).