Melichthys niger triggerfish.. Reef Safe??

[Fishfreak218]

I was wondering if the Melichthys niger triggerfish was reef safe?
Anyone have ANY experience with these.. are they VERY aggressive or peaceful for a tirggerfish? Did they nip alot?
Common name: Hawaiian Black Triggerfish
here is a link:
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/hawaiian-black-trigger---melichthys-niger-fish--triggers.html
thank you VERY much

 

[Jerry W]

Hit or miss with these fish. I've only seen them in large FOWLR systems. One was an absolute terror and had killed two other fish (lion and a tang)before it had to be removed. Very large and aggressive. They're akin to pinktails in temperament, but as with a lot of triggers, unpredictable. Not sure how one would behave in a reef.

 

[The steven liu]

Almost all the niger triggers that I've seen are pretty voracious predators. So I will vote "not" reef safe.

 

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7180403#post7180403 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The steven liu
Almost all the niger triggers that I've seen are pretty voracious predators. So I will vote "not" reef safe.

This isn't the same thing as the niger trigger you're thinking of, which is Odonus niger (which is soemtimes reef safe, sometimes very not).
He's talking about Melichthys niger, which is sometimes called the black hawaiin trigger or the black durgon trigger. I have one now, and it's the only one I've ever owned, so I can't say I have a wealth of experience, but, from what I've seen, it's a little more aggressive than its congener, the pinktail trigger. It did eat a cleaner shrimp that was already established in the tank. I know other people who have successfully kept them in reefs. Keep in mind that they get pretty big..

Dave