Blue Jaw Trigger

[Amoore311]

I had one in my 180 for the entire time the tank was set up. He was a model citizen with all the fish in the tank, and didn't mess with cleaner or blood shrimp. The shrimp would actually clean the trigger all the time.

That tank had the following fish in there:

Powder Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, Pair of Clowns, 12 Lyretail Anthias, Watchman Goby, Bluejaw Trigger(male), Pair of Mandarins, Dragonfaced Pipefish

 

[ahmed_iAM]

I have found a 125 gallon aquarium 72"x18"x22". It's for $125 but not drilled. Would it be wise to upgrade from my 48"x24"x24" 120 to this? I would fit a 55 gallon sump in it to put the volume close to 180. I could probably move everything to the 125 by June. Any thoughts?

 

[Amoore311]

If you aren't increasing the swimming area the fish has, I wouldn't bother. Mine used the entire length of my 180 Gallon.

I think it depends more on how your rock is set up, and how it will be set up in the new tank.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Can't wait for pictures!

 

[Marshall O]

I have found a 125 gallon aquarium 72"x18"x22". It's for $125 but not drilled. Would it be wise to upgrade from my 48"x24"x24" 120 to this? I would fit a 55 gallon sump in it to put the volume close to 180. I could probably move everything to the 125 by June. Any thoughts?

I would wait for a deal on a 180 if you can. You will miss the extra 6" width, even though you gain the 2' length.

 

[ahmed_iAM]

Can't wait for pictures!

The fish is still to scared to come on front of the camera. This is the blue jaw and my clown in the QT. Sorry the the bad pictures and the absurd algae growth. I use a high nutrient tank for frags. The clown and the trigger fish a clam in ~1hr. Feed it to them every other day with some mysis on the other day.

 

[ahmed_iAM]

She had yellow trim when she came in. But it has faded to a crimson color that blends in with its body. Still surprised it could finish a clam in that short of a window.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Mine gets shy around the camera too. Is he out and about when the camera isn't pointing at him?

Also with the color change: It seems that your male is exhibiting female colors. This happens for a couple of reasons. Top of the list are that it feels threatened (or even uncomfortable), or the absence of a female. They color up dramatically with the male colors in the presence of a female, but your tank needs to be able to support a pair. Oh yeah. Good filtration is needed for a pair too. When they go, they GO!!! LOL...

Best of luck!!!

 

[ahmed_iAM]

I noticed! It can finish a clam that's close to its size alone, though the Clarkii in there with it munches on it as well. Hopefully it colors up. Wouldn't mind if it has dull colors at this point, just want the fish in my display. It is active when the camera disappears, but it confines itself to a certain section and doesn't go near the pumps.
They should be fine with large maxima and derasa clams right? (3 to 4in)

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

It sounds like you are on the right track. Just stay the course...

It'll also be fine with the maxima and dersa clams, especially since they were in the tank before the trigger...

Keep us posted...

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Its been a few days. How is the trigger?

 

[ahmed_iAM]

Its been a few days. How is the trigger?

Very bad new I'm afraid. I hadn't seen it for two days so I went around my display tank tooling for it. Found it had gotten stuck between two pieces of love rock that had crushed it. Move it back to QT but I think euthanasia is a better option. All fins are damaged, scaring near its eye and it's starting to tilt sideways.

I'm going to stay away form the more expensive fish for a while.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Man, I'm so sorry to hear this... Are you sure he was crushed? Sometimes fish will scratch themselves up and injur themselves in a new tank when they rush for the rocks to hide, and triggers can use their fins (triggers) to wedge themselves in rock very tightly.

 

[ahmed_iAM]

It seems like he was stuck pretty badly. He was still shy so I didnt think it was a big deal that he disappeared for a couple days. But when I put the clam I always feed him he didn't come out to eat it. Really surprised me. Crossing my fingers right Now.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Hang in there, Man...

Keep us posted...

 

[jpitch]

Sorry to hear about your current bad situation. If he manages to pull through he'll become one of your favorite fish. It took my trigger about 4 days before I was able to hand feed him. I can put my nose up to the tank and he'll play with me, turning so he looks at me from his left eye, then turning to the other side to see with the right. He has more personality than all my other fish put together. He's an absolute pig. I have to open my Apex feeder to the biggest feeding setting and I feed my fish 5 times a day because he inhales so much food. You can hear him slurping the surface like a striped bass during a feeding frenzy. By the way, he loves spirulina and omega flakes. Every other day I feed my fish a combo of a ton of meaty stuff. I truly hope you get to experience this. Also, he doesn't touch my cleaner shrimp or my snails.

 

[jpitch]

I don't like to hijack but since it has been mentioned, why is it not suggested to keep a pair of btt's in a tank smaller than a 180? I have a male in my 125 and was considering a female to brighten him up. he likes all places in the tank no more than my tangs. i'd like some more info before i make the purchase now...

 

[ahmed_iAM]

I don't like to hijack but since it has been mentioned, why is it not suggested to keep a pair of btt's in a tank smaller than a 180? I have a male in my 125 and was considering a female to brighten him up. he likes all places in the tank no more than my tangs. i'd like some more info before i make the purchase now...

The bioload these fish add to the tank is heavy. A 180 would have more biological filtration. A standard 125 would have 72" x 18" (1296in²) and a 180 would be 48" x24" (1152in²) so as far a space I Dont think it would be too big of an issue unless the fish like the extra height and width the 180 adds. Im not an expert so don't quote me on it.

 

[ahmed_iAM]

Hang in there, Man...

Keep us posted...

Found it laying on its side this morning. Put it in the freezer to make less painful. The jaw is red from the bruising caused by the rock. the scaring healed up with in a couple days but I guess it was too much for it.

 

[jpitch]

Ugh sorry 8(