|
|
|
|
Trigger Fish
|
Undulate Trigger Fish
(Balistapus undulatus)
|
Tank: Fish-only system and provide 145 gallons or larger. Should be kept singly.
Aquarium Behavior: Aggression with most. Robust tankmates are often hard to find. However, in the right setting it will become very tame, rewarding the aquarist with fascinating behavior and longevity!
Maximum Length: 12 in
Food & Diet: Will accept shellfish, mysis, and brineshrimp, deadfish such as lancefish or sand eels. Offer molluscs with their shells also try dried algae in a tank clip.
Reef Compatibility: Do not house this speices with any invertebrates! In the wild this species eats echinoderms, corals, fish, algae crustaceans.
Quick Notes: Keep it only if you are prepared to forgive its aggressive behavior! Many are often returned to the dealer after killing all its tankmates.
|
|
Clown Trigger Fish
(Balistoides conspicillum)
|
Tank: Fish-only aquarium. May be housed with live rock-based system with the exception that it may gradually gnaw away the rock. Provide 132 gallons or larger and should be housed singly.
Aquarium Behavior: Assume that this fish will become quite aggressive and potentially lethal towards its tankmates. Although this transition from a relatively peaceful juvenile does not seem to take place in every case and there are no advance warnings, choose tankmates at the outset in anticipation of the likely outcome.
Maximum Length: 18 in
Food & Diet: Provide meaty foods, offer a varied diet and provide shell-on foods regularly.
Reef Compatibility: Do not house with corals, sessile invertebrates, or ornamental shrimp!
Quick Notes: Word of the wise, do not buy a highly attractive small specimen unless you have the means to care for it long term. Careless aquarists may also experience nasty bites! Nevertheless this species is a beautiful fish and highly entertaining.
|
|
Blue Trigger Fish
(Odonus niger)
|
Tank: Fish-only aquarium. May be housed with live rock-based system. Provide 132 gallons or larger. Can be kept in pairs or small groups provided you appreciate the demands a number of these large fish will put on your aquarium's water quality.
Aquarium Behavior: This fish can be aggressive or submissive depending on the individual.
Maximum Length: 18 in
Food & Diet: Provide a variety of meaty foods and feed the fish regularly, at least three times a day.
Reef Compatibility: Can nibble at most corals. Provide dried algae to prevent this behavior, but it cannot be considered trustworthy.
Quick Notes: Very attractive swimming motions. Do not buy this fish if you cannot meet its long term requirements. This species needs plenty of swimming space and very robust tankmates. |
|
Blue Jigsaw Trigger Fish
(Pseudobalistes fuscus)
|
Tank: Fish-only system. Provide 238 gallons or larger and should be kept singly.
Aquarium Behavior: Large angelfish and pufferfishes are suitable tankmates. Not particularly belligerent.
Maximum Length: 22 in.
Food & Diet: Will eat almost anything offered. Juveniles can be a bit more finicky than older individuals and may need brineshrimp or mysis to entice it.
Reef Compatibility: Do not maintain with any invertebrates.
Quick Notes: Provide this species with robust fish such as large angelfish and pufferfishes. The yellow base color of this juvenile will become blue as it matures. It can also destroy any aquarium decor. Remember to always do plenty of research before you purchase a fish and know what your getting before you get it. Avoid fish with cloudy eyes or that are not feeding.
|
|
Picasso Trigger Fish
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus)
|
Tank: Fish-only or live rock-based fish-only systems. Provide 132 gallons or larger and best kept singly.
Aquarium Behavior: Becomes aggressive as it matures; will bully any delicate species.
Maximum Length: 12 in
Food & Diet: Provide plenty of meaty foods, including shell-on molluscs and crustaceans.
Reef Compatibility: Will harm many corals, sessile invertebrates, and crustaceans. Should not be housed with any aquarium with invertebrates.
Quick Notes: Be sure to house this fish with very hardy marine fish that are able to look after themselves. Possible exceptions are larger or similar triggerfish. Do not buy this fish if you are unable to satisfy its long-term requirements.
|
|
Blue Throat Trigger Fish
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
|
Tank: Fish-only or live rock-based fish-only systems. Can be stocked into a reef aquarium with care. Provide 120 gallons while small; 200 gallons or larger when fully grown. Can be kept singly; male/female pairs; or in trios of two females to one male.
Aquarium Behavior: May have disputes with members of the same species.
Maximum Length: 12 in
Food & Diet: Frozen or prepared diets; offer a variety with occasional vitamin supplements.
Reef Compatibility: May not be completely trustworthy with all species of ornamental shrimp and appears to ignore most larger (Lysmata spp.)
Quick Notes: This is one of the most suited triggerfish for introduction to a reef aquarium when done properly. Despite its size this can be a shy species, particularly when first introduced.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
