Blue Throat or Sargassum Trigger

Jasanden

New member
Im planning on adding one of these to my mixed reef. Looking for a reason why i should add one or the other. Any experience or info is welcome.

Thanks
 
As long as the tank is large, either should be fine in a reef. There are a few individuals that can go rogue and start killing things, but it's definitely the exception.

As for which one, it's really personal preference. If you want a mated pair, then you'd want to go bluejaw, since you can tell the sexes apart. If you only want one, there's really not going to be much to sway you one way or the other.
 
He pretty much summed it up quite well...

I have 2 Bluejaws myself, and absolutely love them. If you decide to get two, and don't get a "mated" pair, make sure the female is smaller than the male. My female is slightly bigger than my male, and he gets aggressive sometimes reminding her that he is the man of the house. No actual harm inflicted. He just charges her, and flashes his colors...
 
I'm in the minority; but BJs just aren't my favorite trigger. They can be on the wussy side and hide too much, especially with extremely active tankmates. (Maybe not a problem in a reef.) A Sargassum is a magnificent fish that doesn't bother tankmates and they usually don't bother them either. I have two Sargassums together now (in a FOWLR), wasn't sure it was a good idea, but its working so far. Sargassums are also much more "up front" and bigger beggers than BJs. One of mine can be finger fed. If the Sargassum doesn't work out, they are great sailfish bait (long story).

I don't know if this means anything, but I hang around the disease forum a lot and there seems to be too many BJs showing up with problems lately. This isn't scientific, just my observation. BTW, I really like Niger's in a reef tank. They usually aren't included in reef-safe trigger lists, but should be, IMO.
 
Thank you for you're thoughts. Mrtuskfish I was leaning toward the sargassum and was hoping someone would chime in with experience. Seems like a lot of people have had BJ but no so much with the Sargassums. Not sure I could fit 2 with my stock list so was planning to only add 1. I had a Niger years ago in a 210 and he got a little aggressive as he got older. Do you think my cleaner shrimp stand the same chance of survival withas hone of the3 ?
 
I'm in the minority; but BJs just aren't my favorite trigger. They can be on the wussy side and hide too much, especially with extremely active tankmates. (Maybe not a problem in a reef.) A Sargassum is a magnificent fish that doesn't bother tankmates and they usually don't bother them either. I have two Sargassums together now (in a FOWLR), wasn't sure it was a good idea, but its working so far. Sargassums are also much more "up front" and bigger beggers than BJs. One of mine can be finger fed. If the Sargassum doesn't work out, they are great sailfish bait (long story).

I don't know if this means anything, but I hang around the disease forum a lot and there seems to be too many BJs showing up with problems lately. This isn't scientific, just my observation. BTW, I really like Niger's in a reef tank. They usually aren't included in reef-safe trigger lists, but should be, IMO.

I agree...bt trigs can be painfully shy and reclusive esp when introduced into a new environment...a huge complaint with many owners is that they never see the fish...
Sargassums are much bolder and more "dog-like."
 
with regards to the cleaner shrimp...they def learn to venture out at night to feed...mine will also clean during the day but do so with their backs up against a hole so they can make a quick escape need be...they fish kind of lie on the rock while the cleaner does his job...the shrimp do not freely crawl all over the fish like they would in a less aggressive tank...having said that- they still get picked-off from time-to-time but it is a nice snack for the trigs and allows them to act like the predators they are...I end up adding sev cleaners a few times a year...
good luck!
 
Thank you for you're thoughts. Mrtuskfish I was leaning toward the sargassum and was hoping someone would chime in with experience. Seems like a lot of people have had BJ but no so much with the Sargassums. Not sure I could fit 2 with my stock list so was planning to only add 1. I had a Niger years ago in a 210 and he got a little aggressive as he got older. Do you think my cleaner shrimp stand the same chance of survival withas hone of the3 ?

I wouldn't do two. I just had the opportunity and got lucky, I think.
 
I would vote for the Sargassum based on personality. My Sargassum was one of the most entertaining Triggers I've kept, he would spit water at me when waiting for food, and was always out and about, loved to swim against the current of the powerheads. B. Jaw can be hiders.
 
I would vote for the Sargassum based on personality. My Sargassum was one of the most entertaining Triggers I've kept, he would spit water at me when waiting for food, and was always out and about, loved to swim against the current of the powerheads. B. Jaw can be hiders.

I suppose following my post right after the Packers were eliminated is just coincidence? I think we got our sargassums about the same time; if my memory still works. Glad yours is still doing well, they are magnificent fish.
 
Each blue jaw seems to have it's own personality. Many are very shy, particularly the males. I must have seen a couple of dozen at my favorite LFS before I saw one that was a real extrovert. He is in my DT for a couple of months now and is anything but shy. My wifes favorite fish.
 
I agree with what the others have said as I have kept both. My Sargassum ate within about a half hour being acclimated to the QT tank and to this day is very bold, but not a bully. Great fish!
 
My male BJ was very shy for awhile but he is now fearless. I was taking care of some aiptasia with some aiptasia x and he wouldn't leave be alone. He kept coming up to my hand to check out the syringe. (I feed my tank with a turkey baster)
 
Agreed that BJ's can be a little shy. When first introduced, my male was very reclusive for about a week. When I added the female, the male was alway out and about from the time I turned the lights on until I turned them off while the female hid out in the PVC (QT tank). One week later, they are both out and about from lights on until lights out. They keep their eyes on me the whole time hoping I come up to the tank with some tasty bits for them. Funny thing is that when they do start to venture into the PVC, they always stop themselves and pause, looking at me like "I want to go to bed, but, I don't want to miss anything". It's like they watch me more then I watch them. LOL

But like stated above, each fish has its own personality. I may have just have gotten lucky with two extroverts. Best bet may be to go with the Sarg. Trigger as they have a more consistent character.

Best of luck!!!
 
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