Trigger Fish

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Phastroh

New member
I keep seeing so many people and display tanks in stores with a Trigger mixed in with other fish.

I wanted to have one and figured if I did I would get the smallest one I could find but will it be ok if it is added last or what?

I want a Niger or a Clown and I have coral. I see them in tanks with corals as well and I know some will chomp the corals down and some wont or not as bad.
 
No Trigger is without it's risk, but Clown is among the most risky and dangerous, I would not even consider with your tank. I have kept Niger Triggers twice now for extensive periods of time, they typically can be purchased small, but keep in mind as they get bigger they get more aggressive, I had my first one for 5+ years, he got MUCH more aggressive as he grew larger, he tortured a 5 inch Maroon Clown until I had to remove the Clown, and that was after them being together for 3 years, one day he just snapped and decided he didn't like the Clown any more.

Your safest bet would be a Male Blue Jaw in my opinion.
 
kirkaz said:
No Trigger is without it's risk, but Clown is among the most risky and dangerous, I would not even consider with your tank. I have kept Niger Triggers twice now for extensive periods of time, they typically can be purchased small, but keep in mind as they get bigger they get more aggressive, I had my first one for 5+ years, he got MUCH more aggressive as he grew larger, he tortured a 5 inch Maroon Clown until I had to remove the Clown, and that was after them being together for 3 years, one day he just snapped and decided he didn't like the Clown any more.

Your safest bet would be a Male Blue Jaw in my opinion.
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I agree completely. Blue Jaws have a lot of positives, few negatives. Clown Triggers are possibly the meanest fish we keep; they shouldn't be kept with even semi-civilized fish. Adults can, and will, kill any fish in any tank, at about any time.
 
I am not going to argue with any of the comment posted. But having kept a clown trigger from 4" to 8" for almost 5 years, it never touched another fish. Cleaner shrimp included.
 
OSTguy said:
I am not going to argue with any of the comment posted. But having kept a clown trigger from 4" to 8" for almost 5 years, it never touched another fish. Cleaner shrimp included.
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There are no guarantees either way in this hobby, I'm sure somebody has kept about every combination of fish there is as some point, it doesn't mean it's a good idea....Here is what Bob Fenner says about the Clown Trigger on Wetwebmedia....."this is an Alpha Alpha species that typically takes over a system of any size... and woe be to the tankmates that don't get and stay out of its way".

Buyer beware IMO....I would personally love to have one in my tank, and I have an EXTREMELY rough group of fish, I've just hear too many horror stories, far more than success stories.
 
A 80 gallon tank is not big enough for a niger trigger even if it was the only fish. I would look into the blue throat or possible the sargassm. My sargassm is semi aggressive and WILL eat small fish.
 
OSTguy said:
I am not going to argue with any of the comment posted. But having kept a clown trigger from 4" to 8" for almost 5 years, it never touched another fish. Cleaner shrimp included.
Click to expand...

This is truly the exception of all exceptions. I had one for about 3yrs (guessing) with no problems. I came home and he had gone postal and killed several, larger fish. he was working on another victim. Similar stories with other CTs I've kept. This is very normal CT behavior; play nice, then explode. Even at five years, personal experience with several, and everything I've read says you may very well see him show his real personality anytime. I hope not, he's probably a great and personable fish---but I'll bet he still bites your hand!
 
My clown died a few months ago. About a month before being 5 in my care. It wouldn't bite my hand, never acted aggressive, even towards other triggers. I could pet it and rub its head. I never did give a post mortem shot, so here it is:

picture.php
 
I have a blue throat and he fit right in. I had a mimic Tang and they didn't get along so the Tang left. He's not aggressive towards the other fish and doesn't nip at corals. The trigger was a great addition to my tank!
 
Phastroh said:
What of the Niger. My favorite for sure.

I wanted to keep my 80gal just for it alone but I can't now.
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I agree with above. 80g is too small. As for the personality of nigers, IME, they are the least predictable of the triggers. There's a lot of variability in triggers, but nigers take that to the extreme. I've seen some get bullied by firefish, and I've seen others wipe out everything else in the tank. If you get one, just be ready to get it out.

OSTguy said:
I am not going to argue with any of the comment posted. But having kept a clown trigger from 4" to 8" for almost 5 years, it never touched another fish. Cleaner shrimp included.
Click to expand...

There are always a few people who get lucky. That said, I've seen model CTs in tanks for a longer time than yours, and then turn around and kill everything else in a day.
 
i have a niger right now that is 3", got him when he was just under a 1". he hasn't touched a coral or invert yet, knock on wood.
 
Well I officially hate this thread haha just kidding.

I can't believe my 80Gal Bow is too small for the Niger but it doesn't matter because that tank will be gone like the wind.

I like the Blue Throat but I have seen different versions. One is light, the other is dark. One has a weird blue mark the other is perfect.

Do they vary or is this an age thing like Juvy to Adult.

I am still undecided on it. All my fish are 2+ inches and if I got one it would 1) Be as small as I can get and 2) Be put in after all my Tangs and Angels if I get an Angels.

I kind of wanted a Blue Face Angel. I honestly may opt to keep the corals I have and not purchase anymore because there are a lot of badarse fish and the corals are not cheap.

I can't buy a ton of frags, I will be 500 by the time they fill my 220 hahah.
 
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