My Clownfish got attacked..ahh

[55semireef]

AHHHH, my clownfish got attacked by my Niger Trigger. My clown wasn't the best swimmer and I guess my Niger got him. I have never seen this type of of behavior from my trigger before.

I put my clown in my sump and put a light on it. My clown has a nice gash on his back and is not looking so good. He is breathing rapidly bc he is stressing himself out by darting. He darts I guess bc of the wound.

Do you think he might make it?

Oh yea its a false perc clown thats about 2 inches at the max.

 

[traveller7]

Fish can recover from some incredible wounds, if they do not get infected.

Unfortunately, I have also seen fish drop dead at even a hint of "stress".

Keep the space dimly lit and without activity. If it has to swim against flow, give it the option of getting into a pvc elbow or something.

 

[ezhoops]

Triggers need to be well fed or well they'll feed.

 

[55semireef]

Well, I was hoping I wasn't going to make this post but I am. Well, he died. He was so small. My Niger must have got him real good.

Ezhoops, my Niger is well fed. I think the clownfish looked like a munching toy.

I wonder what I should do now? I really want another clownfishl.

 

[foozdog]

sorry to hear.i'm still not sure to put my clown with any trigger.sorry about the loss

 

[foozdog]

i agree trigers will feed unfortunately on beautiful fish

 

[stykthyn]

I had a niger take a good chunk out of the belly of one of my maroons. I was amazed that he fully recovered. I am sorry to hear of your loss. that really sux

 

[traveller7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7543228#post7543228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
I wonder what I should do now? I really want another clownfishl.

A predatory fish is even more likely to consider a new addition a snack then the prior inhabitants.

If you want clowns in that tank, move the trigger to a new home.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7544655#post7544655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by traveller7
A predatory fish is even more likely to consider a new addition a snack then the prior inhabitants.

If you want clowns in that tank, move the trigger to a new home.

Its so weird though. He doesn't bother my CB shrimp at all and that should be an easy meal for him. I also have a 2 inch Blue Tang but a tang is too fast for my Niger.

So there is absolutely no clown I could get with a Trigger? Actually I would be more nervous about getting a maroon bc it digs and it might boss around my tang.

Trust me, my Niger is not that aggressive. He only took advantage of the clown bc they look like they can barley swim plus it was always towards the top as an "easy" target.

 

[stykthyn]

once they taste blood they are never quite the same. I would move him to a more aggressive set up\

 

[55semireef]

Oh, he has tasted blood before. He has killed snails, small little saltwater fish from the Florida Keyes and has ate shrimp.

But he has never just attacked a fish for no reason or yet so randomly. It seemed like he had no interest in the clown before.

 

[traveller7]

We love them, we treat them as if they have human feelings, we forget: They eat, swim, and breed; nothing more nothing less.

The trigger gets to decide what is food and when it is food. Stocking the tank with morsels is a gamble based on the "decisions" of an animal with a brain smaller then a key on a keyboard.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546236#post7546236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by traveller7
We love them, we treat them as if they have human feelings, we forget: They eat, swim, and breed; nothing more nothing less.

The trigger gets to decide what is food and when it is food. Stocking the tank with morsels is a gamble based on the "decisions" of an animal with a brain smaller then a key on a keyboard.

Correct. Although, Niger Triggers are planktonic species but being in a fish tank can contribute to this type of behavior that typically would not occur in the wild. Given that this fish is an opportunistic feeder, a helpless clownfish sounds like a meal despite the fact its not apart of its natural diet.

I observed that the clownfish had its dorsal side pretty bit up. When I found it, it was on the sand breathing heavily and the trigger would swim to the clown and attempt to "play" with it more. But he never got play time since I broke it up after I about jumped out of my skin when I saw the marks.

I had a small feeling this might happen but never saw it coming already. I have given consideration on what to do with my Niger but he is so cool. Maybe a bigger clown might do the trick.

I have also put some thought into getting a BTA. Getting a BTA anemone might do the trick. If I got a clown to host in that, it would give the clownfish protection and a retreating spot. My clownfish stayed towards the upper part of the tank which made it easier for the trigger to attack. But hosting in a BTA or atleast some type of clown anenone might drive off the triggers interest. The only reason I could think of why the Trigger attacked the clown was because it swam like it was weak at the top. The Niger saw it as food.

I have also observed in my freshwater years with keeping African cichlids, an aggressive family of cichlids that they are less inclined to be aggressive in a more crowded enviroment. Having lots of rockwork, retreat spots, small frequent feedings and a large crowd can cure or atleast slow down a dominant fish.

I have about 58lbs of liverock in my 55 gallon tank and plan on getting about 10 more lbs. So if I got about 10 more pounds and some more fish, that might cease the aggressive behavior by a fish that is picking on one particular fish and will distribute the aggressive behavior to all the other fish thus in essence no harm is really done.

 

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546378#post7546378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
I have about 58lbs of liverock in my 55 gallon tank and plan on getting about 10 more lbs. So if I got about 10 more pounds and some more fish, that might cease the aggressive behavior by a fish that is picking on one particular fish and will distribute the aggressive behavior to all the other fish thus in essence no harm is really done.

It might also just overstock your tank.

You are speaking very authoritatively about why your clown was attacked, but in reality you have no idea why the trigger did what it did.

Put non-aggressive or smaller fish in there and you're inviting the same result, no matter how many fish, or how much more live rock you stock the tank with.

Kevin

 

[84scrambler]

Get a big maroon clown with a bubble tip anemone. When they have something to defend they will be fearless angry little fish. Mine drew blood on me.
In all honesty it would probably be best to not get anymore smaller fish for your trigger. If it happened now it may happen again and it will just stress out any small fish that you put in there.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7547856#post7547856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Anemone
It might also just overstock your tank.

You are speaking very authoritatively about why your clown was attacked, but in reality you have no idea why the trigger did what it did.

Put non-aggressive or smaller fish in there and you're inviting the same result, no matter how many fish, or how much more live rock you stock the tank with.

Kevin

Kevin, when you say speaking authoritatively, exactly what do you mean? I know for a fact that I am speaking confidently but I have no idea what you mean by authoritatively. I am not looking for any argument here at all.

One thing your right about Kevin is that I do have no idea why it attacked it but I gave theories to why it was attacked and backed it up with some of my experience. I also gave theories on how to avoid an attack like this but hey, they are just theories. I can always experiment right?

Although I am still confident in what I think. Getting a crowd (I am not going to bc I don't want to overstock) of smaller fish may disperse the aggression between them all. My niger is not going to go on a killing spree. He is not a predatory fish to that degree. A niger Trigger is a planktonic species.

 

[sarahkucera]

Do you have the niger trigger and the hepatus tang in the 55 gallon?
I'm pretty new at this, but I think they're going to rapidly outgrow the 55.
I feel guilty keeping my hippos in a 100 gallon tank!

I think you should wait on getting more clowns until you set up a 100 gallon or larger and put the niger trigger and the hepatus in the large tank. That way you can have happy clownfish and an anemone in the 55 gallon and not worry about the smaller fish becoming trigger snacks.

But that's just my .02.
Good luck.

 

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7548812#post7548812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
Kevin, when you say speaking authoritatively, exactly what do you mean? I know for a fact that I am speaking confidently but I have no idea what you mean by authoritatively. I am not looking for any argument here at all.

It's the tone of your posts. You mention confidence, but the tone is much more than that. You're telling us what happened and why. Not asking, not discussing. The tone is very much that you already have all the answers and know what you are going to do about it.

The tone is still there, btw. You end the above post by stating that your trigger is "not a predatory fish to that degree," but rather a planktonic species. Saying something is a planktonic species is not really the answer you are portraying it as.

Main Entry: plank·ton
Pronunciation: 'pla[ng](k)-t&n, -"tän
Function: noun
Etymology: German, from Greek, neuter of planktos drifting, from plazesthai to wander, drift, middle voice of plazein to drive astray; akin to Latin plangere to strike -- more at PLAINT
: the passively floating or weakly swimming usually minute animal and plant life of a body of water
- plank·ton·ic /pla[ng](k)-'tä-nik/ adjective

Cleary, that doesn't describe the Niger Trigger. Now, you may mean planktonic feeder, but in actuality the niger triggers are listed as carnivores - ie, predatory meat eaters.

From Marine Depot Live:

Maximum Size: the Odonus niger grows up to 12 inches.
General Size Specifications: The small size will come to you generally 1 to 2 inches; the medium generally 3 to 4 inches; the large generally 5 to 6 inches.
Minimum Tank Size: The Niger Trigger prefers a tank of at least 100 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.
Diet: The Odonus niger is a carnivore and likes to eat variety of meats (fish, scallop, shrimp, squid, clam) & veggies.
Level of Care: The Niger Trigger is a low maintenance fish.
Behavior: The Niger Trigger may act aggressively toward other fish.
Hardiness: This is a hardy fish.
Water Conditions: Keep water quality high (SG 1.020 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F).
Range: Indo-Pacific.
General Notes: The Odonus niger or Niger Triggerfish (pronounced nie-jur) is suitable to be kept in reef aquaria. Usually not aggrssive to tankmates, may become bolder with time. Will eat ornamental shrimps and crusteaceans. More than one can be kept providing they are added at the same time. Plenty of live rock with holes need to be provided. Tends to bite

From Fish Index:

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Tetraodontiformes (triggerfishes, pufferfishes, spikefishes)
Family: Balistidae
Scientific Name: Odonus niger
Other Scientific Name(s): Xenodon niger, Balistes erythrodon, Odonus erythrodon
Common Name: Niger Triggerfish
Other Common Names: Redtoothed triggerfish
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 4420) and east to the Marquesas and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef in Australia and New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia.
Diet: Carnivorous. Crustaceans and molluscs; will take small pieces of shellfish such as shrimp or mussels.
Temperament: This fish should not be kept with invertebrates, which are regarded as prey (in the wild, it feeds on sponges). For a triggerfish, this is a fairly peaceful and sociable creature.
Sexing:
Breeding: Egg-scatterer.
Special Care:
Other Comments:

From Live Aquaria:

The color of the Niger Triggerfish, also known as the Redtooth Triggerfish, may change from day to day between blue and green with a striking, lighter blue highlight on the fins and long tail lobes. As an adult, they acquire bright red teeth, making them quite interesting to watch when they eat.
The Niger Triggerfish requires a 70 gallon or larger aquarium with rocks and caves for hiding, and may rearrange the landscaping and rocks. It vocalizes using a "grunting" sound. They are a great active fish for the more aggressive, fish-only display.

The Niger Triggerfish needs a varied diet of meaty foods including; squid, krill, clams, small fish and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth.

They are primarily planktivorous predators, but the above is just a sample of the overwhelming documentation that says they are predators and like meaty food, including fish.

Kevin

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7549868#post7549868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sarahkucera
Do you have the niger trigger and the hepatus tang in the 55 gallon?
I'm pretty new at this, but I think they're going to rapidly outgrow the 55.
I feel guilty keeping my hippos in a 100 gallon tank!

I think you should wait on getting more clowns until you set up a 100 gallon or larger and put the niger trigger and the hepatus in the large tank. That way you can have happy clownfish and an anemone in the 55 gallon and not worry about the smaller fish becoming trigger snacks.

But that's just my .02.
Good luck.

Your absolutely right. MY Niger is going to go when he grows another inche or two and my Hippo is going to a 450 gallon reef when he exceeds 5 inches.

Right now my Hippo is 2 inches so there is no worrying yet. But my Niger will need a bigger tank soon.

 

[55semireef]

"Niger triggers are a planktonic species." -DJ88

Kevin, yes Niger Triggers will eat squid scallops and other meaty foods but when does a Niger trigger encounter a squid in its natural habitat?

Most carnivore fish are opportunistic feeders. When they have a chance to eat they will. If it taste like food, it is food and it can always be added the the menu. I think thats what happened here with my Niger and my clown.


Kevin also, I am speaking in confidence about why my Niger may have attacked my clown. In the first post I made, I never questioned why my niger did this and for what reason, all I stated was "I have never seen this type of behavior before from my Niger Trigger."

My question was whether my clown would live or not. I am pretty sure why my clown got attacked. I am not clueless like you stated. Although I do admit putting a small clown with a niger in 55 is not smart.

It's the tone of your posts. You mention confidence, but the tone is much more than that. You're telling us what happened and why. Not asking, not discussing. The tone is very much that you already have all the answers and know what you are going to do about it.

I am still confused about that. We have past the question of whether my clown would make it or not bc its dead. But the question moved on to why my niger attacked it but I already know why so there is no reason for me to ask questions and discuss them when I know why.

Now, you may mean planktonic feeder, but in actuality the niger triggers are listed as carnivores

Thats what I meant in the first place. I said that clearly didn't I? DJ88 said that in a previous thread too.