Can I really get a triggerfish?

[brett559]

I've always loved triggerfish. I assumed none of them were reef-safe. However, a few videos (Mr Saltwater, etc.) showed reefers with triggers, specifically blue-throat triggers.

According to LA, they are reef-safe "with caution." How cautious should I be? Corals are secondary to me - the fish are why I got into the hobby. I have a large soft leather, establish frogspawn, Ducan, and trumpets. I've got quite a few frags on different zoas and a few acans (very small).

What is the caution? Is it corals they eat? Snails and shrimp? Everything?

I am thinking of adding one final fish to my tank - a trigger would be a great capper. Any experience with these fish. My tank is 90 gallons - 120 with sump. I realize that's on the small side. Yay or nay?

 

[snorvich]

They are not safe for inverts and small fish. Your tank is small even for the least demanding one.

 

[brett559]

I know that's what LA says, but in looking through dozens of forums, people almost unanimously say that if they are well fed, these particular triggers don't bother inverts or corals. Have you kept one before? Are you speaking from experience?

 

[Reef Dude]

I ordered a red tail trigger from LA over a year ago, and he has been a model citizen. I have an SPS dominated reef with some LPS, a couple softies, and a clam. I've never seen him nip at anything. He's never gone after a snail or shrimp. I understand that this could change, but I'm just telling you my experience up to this point.

Although the red tail trigger is known to be one of the more reef safe triggers, I imagine that this can vary from fish to fish. Either way, triggers get big and need a good bit of swimming room, and I wouldn't put one in a 90 unless you're planning on upgrading or know someone with a bigger home for it once it outgrows your tank. I have not had any other triggers, so I can't speak to other triggers, such as the niger trigger, I see on others' reef tanks. Blue throats are beautiful, but I don't think I've personally ever seen one in a reef tank.

 

[snorvich]

I know that's what LA says, but in looking through dozens of forums, people almost unanimously say that if they are well fed, these particular triggers don't bother inverts or corals. Have you kept one before? Are you speaking from experience?

Then I think you should simply "take their advice" and go for it. No reason to ask here.

 

[brett559]

I assumed this was the place to ask.

Thanks for the reply. The red tail looks awesome - a bit pricey for me. I see both the red tail and the blue throat are of the same Xanthichthys family/genus (not sure which - been a long time since Biology 101). It looks like the blue throats are a little smaller and perhaps less aggressive.

 

[DamonG]

I had a Niger in my 110 fir almost a year and a half I think. The little guy was great (except for him spitting water at me when he wanted to eat). And never bothered a thing. He loved to eat, almost anything actually, and I knew that sooner or later I would have to give my little buddy up.

But he was nice, swam with the tangs and anthias, Tusk and especially the Fox face. Never bothered a thing and was just a solid goofball..

I had sps, lps and a few zoos, along with gorgonians. That clown never bothered a thing. I am a trigger fan also!

 

[Megistos]

Niger triggers are generally considered "reef-safe" and the Melichthys (Hawaiian/Indian Black Durgeon, Pinktail) and Xanthichthys (Blue Throat, Sargassum, Crosshatch)genera are as well. Triggers are highly variable between individuals though, so there is always a chance you'll get one that likes the taste of your corals. In the long term they can get kind of big but a 90 will work for awhile.

 

[Jasanden]

No.... Your tank is to small. End of story. The size of your tank will bring the worst out of the nicest Trigger you can find. Maybe not right away but soon enough. Sorry I know that's not what you want to here.

 

[Iowafisher]

I have had a Niger trigger in a tank for years never ate crabs it snails. A you can do is try it. Just get a tiney one

 

[brett559]

It's not what I wanted to hear. But after doing a little more research, I think you are right. I appreciate all the feedback. Thank you. Maybe some day if I get a bigger tank....

 

[Iowafisher]

This hobby is all about what works for you. Most on here who give Advice have never tried what you are asking. They just read the live aquaria species profile and quote it as law.

 

[Ariyan]

I had a red tail that tore one of my tanks apart. Doesn't matter what trigger your looking at, just be ready to loose everything if it snaps one day, not all of them will but don't be surprised if it does. :strange: :spin1:

No.... Your tank is to small. End of story. The size of your tank will bring the worst out of the nicest Trigger you can find. Maybe not right away but soon enough. Sorry I know that's not what you want to here.

I agree /\

 

[Moort82]

I have looked after Blue throats, pinktails, niger and a couple more of the so called "reef safe" species. Only had the Blue throats nears corals and they were no problems what so ever. The downside was they were quite shy.
I wouldn't have any worry adding them to a reef but the way they can demolish a large frozen food fish would put me off adding them with anything too small. I also found that no matter how much I fed they were always asking for more. IMO not having shrimps or hermits isn't really much of a hardship for being able to keep such an interesting species. They became quite tame and wouldn't hesitate to get a pair if I had a large enough tank. Agree with the above that you shouldn't underestimate how much space they need. I've heard quite a few that jumped out of tanks which I partly believe is a bigger problem with them in smaller systems where they don't perhaps feel as secure.