Crosshatch - To Buy Or Not To Buy

[Rollins4Miles]

I randomly went to the lfs today since I was in a great mood. I knew I couldn't buy anything as I have yet to move my tank into my new place, but I always love seeing what's around. They had a crosshatch for sale. I've never seen one in person and I've been to countless stores. It's a large male - approximately 8 or 9 inches.

My only concern was the look of the fins. It looked like the fish had been getting picked on so I asked the employee what the issue was. He told me that the fish had fin rot at one point (I appreciate his honesty). He said that they've had the fish for three months and it came out of qt not too long ago. The colors of the fish were vibrant and it looked healthy. He fed the fish silversides and it vigorously chowed them down.

They'e asking $375 for the fish. I've seen this fish for much higher than that online. My concern is the fin rot damage and the likelihood that it will all grow back. There isn't any deep damage, but a decent amount of small damage in many areas. So is this a buy or a walk-away?

This will be going into a 220g and will be the only big fish in the tank.

 

[humaguy]

I randomly went to the lfs today since I was in a great mood. I knew I couldn't buy anything as I have yet to move my tank into my new place, but I always love seeing what's around. They had a crosshatch for sale. I've never seen one in person and I've been to countless stores. It's a large male - approximately 8 or 9 inches.

My only concern was the look of the fins. It looked like the fish had been getting picked on so I asked the employee what the issue was. He told me that the fish had fin rot at one point (I appreciate his honesty). He said that they've had the fish for three months and it came out of qt not too long ago. The colors of the fish were vibrant and it looked healthy. He fed the fish silversides and it vigorously chowed them down.

They'e asking $375 for the fish. I've seen this fish for much higher than that online. My concern is the fin rot damage and the likelihood that it will all grow back. There isn't any deep damage, but a decent amount of small damage in many areas. So is this a buy or a walk-away?

This will be going into a 220g and will be the only big fish in the tank.

They are beautiful and mellow triggers and that is a great price...often male ch do not ship well and have the horrible habit of dying even after a few months in a tank...the fact that this one has been thru qt and in that tank for a bit is good...I'd need to see a pic to make real decision..if you do get it, still qt him for 8-10 weeks...do you have a qt large enough?

 

[albano]

This will be going into a 220g and will be the only big fish in the tank.

What are the 'smaller' fish in your tank... I know of a few people that had to remove CH triggers that started killing other fish.

 

[Rollins4Miles]

I'll have to go back and take a picture. My game plan is to go back once a week and see how the fish is doing. The employee said that someone else who had a female was interested but I'm hoping that was a bluff. I would assume that if the person had a female that he would have picked it up already if he was interested. I'm also banking on the price being a huge deterrent for 99% of aquarium owners out there. I just want this fish to be there in a few weeks!!! They wouldn't allow me to do installments on it, lol.

I have all of the contents of my aquarium in a 100g Rubbermaid stock tank at the moment. I knew if I bought him and put him in there he would most likely jump out as there isn't anywhere near enough room with the live rock. When I get my tank setup and move the live rock out then I'll have a qt tank to put him in.

 

[Rollins4Miles]

I have a bonded pair of ORA naked clowns and a token black misbar clown; larger green chromis, and a yellow watchman goby that's about 4-5 inches. My concern is the goby. I had a bluethroat that was maybe 5 or 6 inches before in the same tank with a 2 1/2 - 3 inch yellow watchman. The trigger was really peaceful until one day I heard this crunching and there was the trigger chewing up the goby - only the head was sticking out of the trigger's mouth. Then the trigger just spit him out and left him to die. I don't want that to happen again! I would get rid of the goby if I had to. I feel the other fish should be okay. No anemone for the clowns at the moment.

 

[humaguy]

nigers tend to be more aggressive than ch but you can never trust a trigger...

 

[Rollins4Miles]

I've always loved the niger triggers - beautiful fish! I just never wanted to take any chances as I've heard stories and seen them in action. There's a huge gorgeous niger in the same tank with the crosshatch. It really makes me want to buy both!!!

 

[nikon187]

More often than not small fish will be on the crosshatch's menu. Clowns as well.

I personally dont think a 220 ( 6 x 2 x 30 ) is large enough for a niger long term

 

[snorvich]

nigers tend to be more aggressive than ch but you can never trust a trigger...

Yes. But, they are, you have to admit gorgeous. But as pointed out above, males are more "fragile".

 

[Rollins4Miles]

More often than not small fish will be on the crosshatch's menu. Clowns as well.

I'll have to keep this guy well fed and suppress that appetite. Don't want him snacking on my prized clowns!!!

 

[albano]

I'll have to keep this guy well fed and suppress that appetite. Don't want him snacking on my prized clowns!!!

I'm not convinced that it has anything to do with hunger... Some triggers just like to kill and not consume!

 

[Rollins4Miles]

I'm not convinced that it has anything to do with hunger... Some triggers just like to kill and not consume!

That would make sense and also describe why my bluethroat just chewed up my yellow watchman and then spit him out. The same trigger also bit the tail clean off of my pencil wrasse. I fed this tank a lot so that debunks my previously mentioned idea of just overfeeding.

If I get this crosshatch I sure hope he's friendly and stays that way. When I was into freshwater I was able to train my large cichlids through disciplinary actions. I've had people laugh in shock but I swear it worked extremely well. I had it so well implemented that anytime aggressions would flair or fights would start all I had to do was start to get off the couch and they would stop. If only that would work with saltwater fish. :deadhorse:

 

[BossHoggin]

Ive laid down the law with my miniatus grouper by omitting to feed him on the days he charges the glass flaring and "yawning" at me when i stand in front of the tank. Also getting grumpy when i rearrange the tank, got a good flick between the eyes a couple times as he has the equipment to do damage to a finger and was near ready to attack. Mutual respect has been achieved for a while now. I just put my hand in as a fist so theres no chance of a finger looking like food as it goes in

 

[albano]

all I had to do was start to get off the couch and they would stop. If only that would work with saltwater fish.

It works! If there's a 'problem' fish I put on a shark costume and scare them!

 

[nikon187]

I'll have to keep this guy well fed and suppress that appetite. Don't want him snacking on my prized clowns!!!

i have sold 5 over the last 3 yrs. All went after fish over time. 2 right off the bat and 3 after a period of a yr or more. It was not a feeding issue. 2 of the 5 tanks were seriously overfed.

2 were sold off, 2 brought back and the last one is still in the original owners tank but it ate everything under 4 inches.

 

[humaguy]

yes....triggers killing other fish often don't do it for a meal...some are just mean, nasty, and angry pitas that enjoying killing and/or tormenting other fish for the sheer delight and enjoyment it gives them...

 

[Rollins4Miles]

It works! If there's a 'problem' fish I put on a shark costume and scare them!

HAHAHA this is ridiculous! Well played!

I contemplated purchasing an anemone for the clowns. Would that offer adequate protection? I've been contemplating a haddoni but want to wait until the tank is established. The only anemone I've kept long term is a magnifica. Unfortunately I went up north for the holidays, accidentally left a window open and a cold front moved in. When I came back the tank temp was in the low 60s and the tank took a beating. My only concern with a carpet is all the horror stories I hear about fish getting popped by them. I don't want an extremely expensive fish to potentially get killed. Although I would hope that the trigger would stay away from it, and I would assume it's large enough to escape.

 

[NegroModelo]

A friend of mine had to remove his pair once they started fragging massive Sps branches for him

 

[humaguy]

It works! If there's a 'problem' fish I put on a shark costume and scare them!

land shark....

 

[Rollins4Miles]

A friend of mine had to remove his pair once they started fragging massive Sps branches for him

This keeps getting worse and worse!