Blue Jaw Trigger in Reef ??

[drew930]

I was just curious on what some of you thought about blue jaw triggers in reef tanks. Seen a couple on youtube... but thats youtube lol. .. so i know triggers arent reef safe, but how about the blue jaw ?

 

[Tat2demon]

Bluejaw, Sargassum, Crosshatch and Pinktail are reefsafe. They're planktivores and not really built to harm inverts. However there is the rare case of one of them being bad but its few and far between.

 

[drew930]

okay thanks ! other than the coral and invert point of view... do they get along with clowns,gobies, chromis, any smaller reef safe fish ? I saw a case or two when they killed smaller fish, but they were in pairs.

 

[OceanDweller]

I'd also like to add that some nigers are reef safe. My friend use to have one is his 150 reef and it was an insanely pretty fish, bluish purple with great personality.

 

[drew930]

I like most triggers . Never knew even one of them were reef safe !! Insist they all were lol but I WILL try a blue jaw if they really are .... And if they won't pick on/ or eat fish . I have some Picasso clowns and adding some more fish that I definitely don't want to be a snack for it . Anybody else have any experience with the blue jaw in a reef ?

 

[Tat2demon]

okay thanks ! other than the coral and invert point of view... do they get along with clowns,gobies, chromis, any smaller reef safe fish ? I saw a case or two when they killed smaller fish, but they were in pairs.

Yep, all that I listed are very docile fish. There are a couple more in that family but pretty rare and very expensive.

 

[sbtdark]

I totally agree, Bluejaw, Sargassum, Crosshatch and Pinktail are reefsafe. To add, the Crosshatch Triggerfish are very expensive compared to the others listed.

 

[drew930]

Yep, all that I listed are very docile fish. There are a couple more in that family but pretty rare and very expensive.

Sweet ! That's good news !

Does it matter if they're big or small when added ?
Are the blue jaws hardy ? Eat foods that others will ? ( tangs, clowns, cardinals ..etc)

You mean others that were not listed ? Are these hard to care for ? Would u please list them ?

 

[Wolverine]

I'd also like to add that some nigers are reef safe. My friend use to have one is his 150 reef and it was an insanely pretty fish, bluish purple with great personality.

True some are, but they are much less predictably so than the Xanthichthys sp triggers. Those are almost always reef safe. If you want to be extra sure, it's a good idea to add any crustaceans and corals you want and get them established before adding the trigger. Also, keep in mind the these fish like a lot of swimming space, so you want to put them in a reasonably big tank.

 

[Monster00101]

I had a Niger trigger in my reef for a year. Never a problem. I've heard they r hit or miss though.

 

[kirkaz]

As I've said many times here, a big trigger is a potentially aggressive Trigger, it doesn't matter the species. My 8 inch male crosshatch may not eat corals or hermits, but I would feel sorry for a 2 inch clown that went after the same piece of food as him.

 

[drew930]

As I've said many times here, a big trigger is a potentially aggressive Trigger, it doesn't matter the species. My 8 inch male crosshatch may not eat corals or hermits, but I would feel sorry for a 2 inch clown that went after the same piece of food as him.

I better start off small then ! I have 2 1" Picasso Clownfish . I would HATE for them to be destroyed by a trigger

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

How big is the tank?

 

[aleonn]

From what I've been told on RC, I'd be cautious about a big trigger eating small fish if they were hungry.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

From what I've been told on RC, I'd be cautious about a big trigger eating small fish if they were hungry.

Agreed, smaller tank also increases aggresion, imho.

 

[drew930]

How big is the tank?

It's a 180(6x2x2) . Is this big enough ?

 

[jjk82901]

I have a male and female pair with a blenny, a very docile maroon clown, arc eye hawk, and a pair of black and white chromis in a 120. The triggers are really a happy and fun fish and don't mess with the others nearly ever. They were the last to be added to the tank and even the chromis were able to defend their territory. I have snails, hermits, coral banded shrimp, emerald crabs, and sea stars have had no problems with any thing. Just keep them fat and happy with a mixed diet of mysis, krill, pellets, and mixed foods. Good luck they are cool

 

[Tat2demon]

Sweet ! That's good news !

Does it matter if they're big or small when added ?
Are the blue jaws hardy ? Eat foods that others will ? ( tangs, clowns, cardinals ..etc)

You mean others that were not listed ? Are these hard to care for ? Would u please list them ?

All of the ones I listed are pretty hardy. The Blue Jaw is a pretty shy fish at first. When I had mine he hid for a week before he came out for food the first time. After that he was a very personable fish.

A couple others that come to mind are the Kiri and Gold Back triggers. The last Kiri I saw for sale was right around $1000 and the only Gold Back Ive seen was $1400.

There are also some very sweet hybrids like this one if you have deep pockets.

 

[drew930]

Those are nice ! But out of range . I was hoping you wouldn't say $1000+ . I won't get a rare one . I think for my first trigger I'll will try the red tail or blue throat . Is there anything special I need to know about triggers before I purchase one ?

And I'm guessing they are not aggressive towards humans? Lol

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

It's a 180(6x2x2) . Is this big enough ?

Sounds good to me. Get as small as you can, though I never see 'small' bluethroats imported.