are any triggers reef safe?

[Cubman777]

THinking of getting a trigger, was wondering if any are reef safe?

 

[ub32965]

That is the same question in TFH magazine for the march issue. It says: "that there are some species such as those in the genera Melichthys and Xanthichthys, that primarily feed from the water column. But if even the plankton feeders may discover that a crab or a coral have a nice taste or sample out of curiosity."

 

[kraze3]

There are no guarantees with triggers, from what Ive heard you have the best shot with the Niger and the Blue Throat. They seem to be 50/50 with reef aquariums. I guess its all in do you think its worth a try...

 

[KevinFJB]

I've had a bluethroat with a bunch of other fish, coral, and inverts for a year without any problem ever. I wouldn't hesitate to try any of the Xanthichthys triggers. Its possible to get an agggressive trouble maker with any fish, but there are lots of reef tanks with these triggers that have no problems.

 

[Horizon Canopy]

i have two crosshatch triggers in my 240 with no problems. they leave my fish, snails, crabs, and cleaner shrimp alone.

 

[Pinksteel]

I've had good success with a pair of blue chin triggers in a reef tank, however they did make alot of noise

 

[Julio]

There are many triggers that are reef safe, most of the ones found in Hawaii. Blue throats, Pink tails, Croshatch, Niger along with some others.

 

[Bret61081]

I have a blue throat in my reef...make sure u feed them atleast 2-3 times a day! mine started eating my xenia when Iwas only doing once a day!!

 

[VolitanLioness]

IMO you are better off sticking with Xanthichthys Species (Blue Throat, Crosshatch or Sargassum), the Pinktail & Nigers are Hit & miss when it comes to reef tanks, Corals & even smaller fish.

Kaye

 

[JIM260]

Have had a 5" Niger in a reef tank for a year. Hes in with clams, cleaner and coral banded shrimp, anemone crab, fire goby, anthias and tangs. No problems. Actually hes rather shy. I have never seen him even test an invert. I feed my tank alot.

 

[Cubman777]

thanks everyone.
Anyone have a bad experience with triggers?

 

[VolitanLioness]

I have not had any yet.... I have a large Pinktail that will not touch anything but like I said they are hit & Miss. I have 3 blue throats in a reef with no problems. I love my Triggers & Lions, I have had no problem with either species in a reef.


Kaye

 

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6649217#post6649217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kraze3
There are no guarantees with triggers, from what Ive heard you have the best shot with the Niger and the Blue Throat. They seem to be 50/50 with reef aquariums. I guess its all in do you think its worth a try...

I would put bluethroats and the other Xanthichthys triggers at much better than 50/50.

Does this new TFH article offer anything new over the one from 2003?

Cubman, many people have had bad experiences with triggers, including eating coral and killing other fish. There's always a little bit of gamble, so you just have to stack the odds in your favor as much as possible.

Dave

 

[nellahtes]

i have 2 4 in sargassums in my sps reef....no problems at all.very docile. they actually let the cleaner shrimp do there job. heres a pic but the shrimp is camera shy.

 

[mtracer]

does this count as a post

 

[Mike de Leon]

the crosshatch, niger , and the blue thraot triggers are said to be reef safe, but i havent experienced it for myself. I've heard they eat xenias too, but thats about it

 

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6665404#post6665404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike de Leon
the crosshatch, niger , and the blue thraot triggers are said to be reef safe, but i havent experienced it for myself. I've heard they eat xenias too, but thats about it

Nigers aren't nearly as predictable, and they can decimate a reef tank pretty quickly if you get a bad one.

Dave