Blue Throat Trigger Qs

[Stuart60611]

I am starting a 125 FOWLR (6 ft. long) and want to possibly keep a trigger. I was thinking about a male blue throat. However, from what I read, they can be kind of shy. I do not want to get this fish if it is going to be hiding all the time. Do these guys, once adjusted, stay out in the open a lot or are they always hiding. Alternatively, I have thought about adding a picasso trigger, but from what I have read they can become real terrors. I do want to house other fish with the trigger.

Thoughts?

 

[SteveJakubiec]

Am I in the same boat with you or what? I was thinking about setting up a 125g FOWLR, but now I"m leaning towards a 180g that I can get. I have heard through various sources that they aren't very happy in 125g Tanks, and I've read that some people have them in 400g Tanks and they still aren't happy.

Now onto the topic of the Picasso, they are mean when they are older, and create tiny sandstorms in the tank, while putting out ideas of 125g stocklists, people told me I shouldn't try a Picasso seeing as how they're so aggressive.

I do think that Blue Throats are not shy at all (Brother kept one in his 240g, which was taken down), and they are really nice.

I'd also look into Sargassum Triggers, people have said that they seem to be more comfortable in tanks than the Blue Throats.

Just my $0.02.

Good Luck,
Steve


Check out my thread, maybe there will be some useful info.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1422229

 

[mike89t]

I've got a beautiful 6" Bluejaw Trigger and he never hides. He is always out begging for food. He damn near bites my fingers off when I feed the tank. Not shy at all but I've heard that sometimes they can be shy.

My 150 is fairly open. Dual island setup with a 4" DSB. The first night he was in my display tank he made bed in the DSB behind a huge rock. That was some serious excavation, sand flying everywhere. He goes there every night.

 

[Stuart60611]

I saw some of the postings you were refering to. However, I have also read of plenty of posts where the blue throat has been successfully kept in 100 gallon systems. I cannot imagine that there would be any difference for a blue throat in either a 125 or 180. These tanks are both six feet long. The difference between the two is a 125 is 18 inches deep and a 180 is 24 inches deep. Because length is far more important from fish's perspective, I do not think it would make much of a difference to the fish. I am definitely leaning toward geting one for my 125.

 

[SteveJakubiec]

I'm not trying to go against you, I would like it to work, but I have read from a few people that it wouldn't work out.

 

[R.W.]

i have one in my 90g, he seems to be fine and is very active.

 

[jda]

The BlueThroat can/will outgrow a 125G tank. When they do, they will get quite fidgety and either act nervous or hide all of the time. They grow very slowly so IF you got a small one, you could enjoy it for a few years, but it will need to move on eventually to a larger home. The downside is that it is very hard to find small X triggers. Oftentimes, they are caught at 5+ inches.

Any of the X triggers can be shy at first. After a few weeks, if they are healthy, they will start to stay in the open more and eat all kinds of offered foods. They are very hardy at this point. My crosshatches have never hidden after the first week or so.

Picassos aren't all that agressive for triggers. They are nowhere close to reef safe though. They also grow slowly and can be decent tankmates for other semi-agressive fish if you feed them enough. I have one that is 7 years old and is just now about 5.5 inches. Unless you are a sheet of nori, then the other tankmates have nothing to fear from him.

 

[Stuart60611]

JDA:

Thanks for the reply. I am now leaning toward a Picasso. Do you think I would have any problem with the Picasso and this stock list for a 125 FOWLR. I will be getting the Picasso small.

1. Royal Gramma
2. Starry Blenny
3. Picasso Trigger
4. Blue Dot Toby Puffer
5. Flame Hawk
6. One Spot Foxface
7. Sixline Wrasse
8. Pair of Ocellarus Clownfish
9. Purple Tang

 

[jda]

There are a lot of reef fish on that list. Clowns, blennys and smaller wrasses are probably not good ideas with non reef safe triggers. The picassos can still eat small fish and stuff.

The tang, foxface and other fish of this type are fine in a FOWLR with a picasso. These larger fish usually do just find with a picasoo.

I might suggest a tougher pair of clows like saddlebacks or maroons.

Picasso will need a larger tank someday too, but they do grow slowly. If you get one, do the right thing when the time comes.

 

[falconut]

I've had my 3" Male Blue Throat for over 6 months now. He was a little shy in the begining, which is typical. He is out all the time. The only time he hides is when I put my hand in, if I feed, then he's right there eatting. I haven't noticed any growth, so they must be pretty slow growers. He doesn't bother any of the other fish, cleaner shrimp, CBS, hermits or snails either. Great fish.

 

[Stuart60611]

Falconnut:

what size tank do you have your blue blue throat in?

 

[SteveJakubiec]

I'm guessing it's in a 90g, seeing as how that is the one tank listed in his sig.

 

[JoeMomma]

I have a blue throat in my 120 and he is always out and about. Great fish but I wish he was a little more colorful. He minds his own business and leaves even the littlest fish alone.

My purple tang is the boss of the tank though.

 

[falconut]

Yes, it is in my 90. It is only 3" and doesn't appear to be growing very quick. It's been over 6 months and it's doesn't appear to have gotten any bigger.

 

[Untamed12]

I had a pair of Blue throats in my 400. As they achieved their full grown size, they began to pace relentlessly in the tank. Reefsafe...good with other fish...not shy....but not happy in captivity once they achieve full size.

 

[Stuart60611]

The main reason I was going for a blue throat was its compatability with smaller fish. I have decided to go another direction with my 125 fowlr and go full blown aggressive. My current stocking thoughts are as follows:

1. Picasso Trigger
2. Paddlefin Wrasse
3. Harlequin Tusk
4. Purple Tang
5. One Spot Foxface
6. Honey Comb Toby Puffer
7. Flame Hawk