Niger Trigger compatibility

[celamb89]

Hi everyone,

Im looking to acquire a niger trigger, they have a nice 2-3" one at my LFS and a couple smaller ones {1-2"} ... I really like them but Im skeptic of other tank mates, I have read other forums and done several searches but still dont have a conclusion... it will go in a 130gal reef tank with clams, SPS, LPS...

Current tank mates:
1x Ocellaris
1x Orange shoulder tang
1x Blue Lines rabbitfish
1x Green Mandarin
1x Yellow watchman goby
1x Cleaner shrimp
1x pistol shrimp
CUC: hermit crabs, turbo snails, brittle starfish, sea cucumber

Future fish:
1x Picasso Clownfish
2x Flasher Wrasse

Whats everybodys take on the trigger? Im mostly worried about the slow mandarin, clams and cleaner shrimp.

Thanks!

 

[SDguy]

I had one...It began to be aggressive to my butterflies when it was about 4"...

 

[celamb89]

I had one...It began to be aggressive to my butterflies when it was about 4"...

So maybe one of the smaller ones would be safer... My orangeshoulder once killed a copperband, I believe it was the behaviour of the butterfly, it was very shy and nervous and the tang could see the weakness, I later added another copperband which was smaller but was very active and didnt mind the tang... Eventually the tang ignored it

 

[Wolverine]

So maybe one of the smaller ones would be safer...

Smaller ones get bigger.

Nigers are extremely difficult to predict; much more than other triggers IME. Some are the wimps of the tank, and others will kill everything that moves, and there's everything in between. In a tank that size, with that many small, slow fish, I wouldn't risk it.

 

[SDguy]

I agree, I wouldn't risk it. How about a redtail trigger?

 

[Wolverine]

How about a redtail trigger?

That depends on which "redtail".




(I think that's one of the worst of the common names out there, because I've seen so many fish labeled with it.)

 

[SDguy]

That depends on which "redtail".

(I think that's one of the worst of the common names out there, because I've seen so many fish labeled with it.)

Agreed! My bad... Xanthicthys ringens

 

[Wolverine]

Ahreed! My bad... Xanthicthys ringens

I personally like to have them in a little bit bigger tank, but I think it would be OK here and would be unlikely to cause trouble with the other fish.

 

[SDguy]

Did we get the dimensions of the tank?

 

[celamb89]

Ok thanks! I'll talk to the guy at my LFS to see if he can order me a Xanthicthys ringens, I guess I'll pass on the niger ... Without taking in to account the trigger I would also like a larger tank for the orangeshoulder...

I guess Im still not ready to change tanks, I just finished my DIY LED fixture and would have to mod it in order for it to work.. Hopefully I'll upgrade over the next year or two... I would love a 60x40x23 (lenght x width x height {inches})... Just need to get ready for a pretty hectic weekend

 

[celamb89]

Current tank dimensions:

55" x 23" x 23"

 

[humaguy]

I think the tank is maxed..wouldnt trust even a "nice" trig with a Mandarin or Goby..with that load the Mandarin and Goby could starve...but, just my opinion...

 

[celamb89]

By maxed out do you mean when the future fish are added? 6 fish doesn't seem maxed IMO although I'm no expert... Or do refer to the future 8 fish? I don't mean to question but to know since I want my tank to have happy residents

 

[tank41]

I just added one approximately 2 months ago and has not caused any threat so far to any tank mates. He is in a 135 tank with mixed corals, clownfish, wrasses and two tangs plus a variety of snails that i have not seen witness to any miss beharvior.. So far so good. I was pretty hesitant at first but they are such a beautiful fish I couldnt resist. Good luck!

 

[celamb89]

Wanted to update

I added the fish and haven't had any problems! I feed him twice a day and haven't seen any agression signs!

I need to upgrade my tank, been dreaming of a 200gal cube...

 

[Triggerfish]

Wanted to update

Update?
thinking of adding one ..been years since I had one.

 

[scooter31707]

I wouldn't trust any Trigger in that size tank. If you really have to have one, the Bluethroat might be the best option.

 

[Triggerfish]

decided against adding one. I had a bluethroat in a 125 and it was a beast.
killed a yellowwatcman, bangaii and ate 7 chromis.

 

[JohnnyHildo]

they sure read out to be a case specific fish... some eat coral and harass other fish and some just politely go about their business. all i know is that if i bought one and it destroyed either, bbq trigger fish with fresh lemon would be planned for dinner that night lol.

 

[Sapelo]

I've had one for several years now. He's sort of "middle of the road." He is the "boss" but doesn't really destroy or harm anything. He does like to be fed!