I am currently setting up a 58 gallon oceanic with a 20 gallon sump. I have a small reef tank that I like but want to have a couple of cool fish as this tank will be in my living room. is it too small for a Picasso trigger? Can anyone give me any suggestions on stocking? Thanks in advance
58 gallon FOWLR
- Thread starter reefdal
- Start date
I think the issue of tank size that is often overlooked with Triggers and other big fish is not so much the amount of free swimming room available but the effect of bioload on the system. Triggerfish are eating and pooping machines. I once kept a Bursa Trigger in a 72g bowfront quite successfully without a sump but the continued maintenance of water changes and siphoning food material from the sand made me realize the error of my ways. I'm not saying it isn't possible, simply highlighting one concern.
On a separate note, I personally think a 58g is too small for a full grown Picasso. These are incredibly active an inquisitive fish which enjoy exploring every inch of the tank. With that said, there isn't a person in this hobby who hasn't at one time or another kept a fish in an undersized tank but vehemently defended that the fish is "happy."
On a separate note, I personally think a 58g is too small for a full grown Picasso. These are incredibly active an inquisitive fish which enjoy exploring every inch of the tank. With that said, there isn't a person in this hobby who hasn't at one time or another kept a fish in an undersized tank but vehemently defended that the fish is "happy."
sandwi54
New member
A 3-foot, 58g tank is definitely too small for a picasso trigger. I would say the minimum tank length to keep this fish long term is 5 feet. Also, as Cicatrix pointed out, triggers are very messy eaters and would pollute the 58g quickly. You will be doing weekly water changes to keep nitrates down.
To give you another perspective, the nitrate level in my 225g has always been zero until my golden puffer came. After that, even with weekly 40g water change and heavy skimming, the nitrate would not go below 40ppm. 40ppm is nothing to be concerned with for fish only tanks, but I just want to show you what water quality you'll be expecting if you put a medium-sized piccaso trigger in your 58g.
To give you another perspective, the nitrate level in my 225g has always been zero until my golden puffer came. After that, even with weekly 40g water change and heavy skimming, the nitrate would not go below 40ppm. 40ppm is nothing to be concerned with for fish only tanks, but I just want to show you what water quality you'll be expecting if you put a medium-sized piccaso trigger in your 58g.
