Scientific Name: Xanthichthys auromarginatus
Alt Scientific Name:
Common Name: Blue Throat Trigger
Alt Common Name: Blue Throated Triggerfish, Blue Throat Triggerfish
Group: Triggers (Triggerfish)
Family: Balistidae
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Natal, South Africa and the Mascarene Is. (comprised of Réunion, Mauritius and Rodriguez) to the Hawaiian Is., north to the Ryukyus, south to Cocos Keeling Atoll and New Caledonia.
Adult Size: 9 inches (22.9cm)
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Temperament: Shy and generally peaceful
Care Difficulty: 4/10
Very Easy
Reef Safety Score : 2/3
Low Risk Reef Safe
Temperature Range: 75°F - 82°F
74 76 78 80 82 84
pH Range: 8.1 - 8.4
7.8 8.0 8.2 8.4 8.6 8.8
Salinity Range (specific gravity): 1.02 - 1.027
1.016 1.020 1.024 1.028 1.032 1.036
Diet Information: Carnivorous - Does well with a varied diet of mysis shrimp, krill and other protein based frozen foods.
Additional Information : Often billed as the only reef safe trigger, the blue throat trigger is a very well behaved fish. Typically shy and non aggressive it will probably be fine in most reef tanks. The blue throat trigger is still a triggerfish so it is possible inverts or corals could enter it's food chain.
These fish are extremely shy and it is not unusual for them to hide for several days after being introduced to a new aquarium.
Tank Mate Compatibility : Other reef safe and non aggressive fish. Use caution with small fish that could be eaten as a trigger snack.
Breeding Information: No known way in a home reef tank.
Determining Sex: Males tend to be larger and the throat is a much deeper blue.
Primary Area in Tank: All over