Pair of triggers vs Solo x 2

[jeremyjoslin]

Looking to add 2 triggers to my mixed reef tank. I love the looks of the Sargassum (X. ringens) and the male blue throat (X. auromarginatus), but understand the personality of the ringens is less shy than the auromarginatus.

My first desire was to add a mated pair of the ringens, but alas this goal seems unatainable due to difficulting sexing or obtaining a true pair.

I had thought that the behavior of a pair would be somehow more interesting than just two unpaired triggers. But am I just imagining this benefit? Should I consider a single ringens and a single auromarginatus? Or two unpaired ringens? Or if there is an interesting behavior observed with a pair, should I go with a mated pair of auromarginatus.

Help me rank this preference based on your experiences.

(Tank is an open-scaped 280g)

 

[MrTuskfish]

IMO & IME; most "paired" fish don't act like pairs. At least in the way paired clowns and many FW fish do. Its similar to schooling fish; our tanks are just too small. When a ''pair" (or school) are at opposite ends of even a big SW tank, they probably still consider themselves close together.

 

[jeremyjoslin]

So nothing special with pairs of triggers?

Then any compatibility problems between a male blue throat and (an assumed) male sargassum?

 

[MrTuskfish]

So nothing special with pairs of triggers?

Then any compatibility problems between a male blue throat and (an assumed) male sargassum?

I think they'd be fine; but nothing is ever 100% with fish.

 

[Wolverine]

I think they'd be fine; but nothing is ever 100% with fish.

I agree. In a tank that size, they should be mild-mannered enough to be OK.

 

[kv2wr1]

I had a sargassum with a blue throat and they nearly killed each other in a 180g (they were small too). I sold the blue throat and kept the sargassum as it is more bold and not afraid of people walking by the tank. If you want to do a pair of triggers, do a male and female blue throat.

 

[jeremyjoslin]

Are the blue throat less shy once in a pair?

 

[Wolverine]

Are the blue throat less shy once in a pair?

Sometimes, but I wouldn't count on it.