blue jaw trigger isnt coming out

NYCBOB

New member
got him 7 days ago. hasnt seen him come out or eat. no big fish that could have harrassed him except maybe the male lyretail anthias. he is always wedged between the rockwork. he looks healthy and all. what gives?
 
Blue jaw triggers are usually very shy when first introduced to the aquarium, whilst 7 days feels like a long time I've heard of them taking much longer than that to finally get adjusted.
 
Mine took about 2 weeks before they ate. I've heard that they can take longer as well. You might need to put some food in the tank and then walk away. Then come back 15 minutes later to see if it is gone. My female loved clams on the half shell while my male loved hikari jumbo mysis.
 
Mine took about 2 weeks before they ate. I've heard that they can take longer as well. You might need to put some food in the tank and then walk away. Then come back 15 minutes later to see if it is gone. My female loved clams on the half shell while my male loved hikari jumbo mysis.

When I had one he was also very scared of me being near the tank as well for quite some time. Introducing food and walking away may be a good plan.
 
try leaving the lights off in the tank....they are very shy and secretive in a new environment...toss a live clam on the half shell in with the lights off...when he becomes more active use only actinics or moonlights for a while....when he is comfy crank up all lights....good luck!
 
This is one trigger that is annoingly shy! I had mine replaced because he would just not come out when people were near the aquarium. Nice fish but way to shy....hope you have better luck thou!!
 
my female is always out and about and steals food out of my other trigs and angels mouths...they just need a while to get comfy and acclimated...if you got a male dont be surprised to see the colors revert to female...
 
i have derasa and crocea clams in the tank with him. hoepfully he wont touch them ince he gets comfy. i am just gonna wait.
 
Maybe he is just afraid to tell his parent? LOL

I was about to buy one, my LFS has a female.
I know that she is in the display/coral tank, but she cen only be seen when there is nobody in the room. I don't want that kind of a fish, already have a Marine Betta! ;) I find my Niger much more entertaining. And yes, he is totally reef safe (I feed a lot)
 
I have a pair and they are always out. The male is on constant patrol keeping the female in line. She goes after the mag float and both take turns carrying snails around. I think having a pair and time to get comfortable really brings out their personality...
 
still isnt coming out during feeding. i tried walking away after feeding but not working. i will let nature decide.
 
I have had my blue jaw now for 2 years. when I first got him, he stayed in quarantine for close to 8 weeks. It took him a whopping 28 days before I actually saw him eat, he would just hide. I got to the point where i would feed, and then hide for up to a half an hour before I finally saw him come out and eat. Now, he's one of those fish that I can literally pet when I feed the tank.

Just a very shy species, be patient and continue offering food. they are water column feeders so mysis is a good bet. It helps if there is circulation in the tank to keep the food suspended in the water column as well.

Good luck!
 
I know it's hard but it has only be a few days....keep feeding...and just walk away...I leave my lights off for 3-4 days after introducing a new fish...they really do love fresh clams, either on the half shell or just drop the meat in your tank...let us know and good luck!
 
fresh clam wouldnt be a good idea since i have derasa and crocea clams in the tank. hate to see him develop a taste for it.
 
he finally came out when no one was in the room. i had to stand 20 feet away just to view him. dropped a few pieces of krills but didnt show interest at all.
 
My Blue Jaws really don't care for krill, try some chopped silversides. Cut them into bite sized pieces. I think the smell/taste in the water of the blood or oils encourage a feeding response... Also, my pair are housed with clams, shrimp, and small fish with no aggression...
 
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