Trigger in a smaller tank

[Sitarangi]

*DISCLAIMER: I don't want a flame war, just looking for advice and/or success stories*

I got a 29g long tank. Its a typical beginner 'reef'. Heres a pic, I just put in a seaclone 150 skimmer which explains the bubbles. Sorry about the giant size :3

The tankmates are:

- 2 tough as nails damsels (blue and yellowtail), i've had them since day 1 and their mean.
- 2 O. Clownfish
-1 Midas Blenny, hes pretty shy but no one seems to bother him
- bunch of misc. snails and hermits

I want to keep a small trigger. My Local LFS's have a variety of undulates, humus, and other cheap 'smaller' triggers. Yes, I know most can get around 1 foot long. Yes, I know they nip at corals. Yes, I know their total bullys. However, because there isn't much LR he'll have plenty of swimming room and the tank has plenty of flow already. I keep the tank pretty well fed too. I want a trigger for their awesome personality and looks. I am planning on upgrading, and if worse comes to worse, I know plenty of places that would take him happily (including the Stephen Birch Aquarium, where I got some connections).

Basically i'm looking for experiences with some of the smaller less aggressive triggers in smaller tanks. If this is just an absolutely horrible idea, just say it. I won't take offense.

 

[Jerry W]

It's a bad idea. You list all of the reason's not to get one. A "small trigger" won't take long to grow into a larger fish, that, in cramped quarters, will likely show aggression. Why risk your other tank inhabitants? Your current stock list is nice given the tank size. If you want a larger aggressive fish, then wait until you have a suitable tank, and don't house it with community fish. Eventually, you'll just have a trigger.

 

[reefergeorge]

Bad Idea. I don't like keeping a 2" humma humma in a 90. They are very active, and always on the hunt.

 

[Sitarangi]

Very sensible answer. I was hoping that my rather agressive stock list could put up with a rather agressive fish, but I don't wanna risk it. Now i'm just curious if anyones had any experience with putting small triggers in small tanks?

 

[JustinReef]

I had a Blue throat in a 33G QT and he went nuts during the month he was in there. It was stocked with LR, sand, ect. It wasn't a bare hospital tank, more for observation. But he would swim from one side to the other in a matter of a second and then right back again. He started swimming in circles and eventually just stopped swimming much at all. The tank was just way too small. He was about 6" but even if you bought one at 2", it doesn't take long for baby fish to grow.

As soon as he was in the much bigger display tank, he calmed right down. The size of the tank made a huge difference...or maybe it was the female Blue Throat waiting there for him

 

[LauraCline]

The tank is well stocked already. There is no trigger that should be in a 29g for anything more than QT.

 

[Sitarangi]

Im not gonna do it. Im sure I could pull it off but it'd be cruel to the trigger and the tankmates. I did lurk youtube for 29g long tanks with triggers and found this:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PrOL0uqYDQo

This just seems like a recipe for disaster

The tank is stock nice and I love it... but it still seems so bare because of teh lack of LR, and I dont really plan on getting any more of it. Im kind of thinking about adding more yellowtail damsels and getting them to school or even a couple cardinals. Maybe a tiny bicolor angel. I'm just babbling now... lets stay on topic

 

[StayPuft]

Very bad idea. The smaller the tank the more agressive triggers get. My guess is in a 29gal, a trigger will end up killing all other fish in the tank.

 

[reefergeorge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12654076#post12654076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sitarangi
Im not gonna do it. Im sure I could pull it off but it'd be cruel to the trigger and the tankmates. I did lurk youtube for 29g long tanks with triggers and found this:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PrOL0uqYDQo

This just seems like a recipe for disaster

The tank is stock nice and I love it... but it still seems so bare because of teh lack of LR, and I dont really plan on getting any more of it. Im kind of thinking about adding more yellowtail damsels and getting them to school or even a couple cardinals. Maybe a tiny bicolor angel. I'm just babbling now... lets stay on topic

That guy is an idiot. It is very cruel to keep a tang or trigger in a 29. The tang will also nip at the plastic plants, and could die if he gets a piece. I was waiting to see a sunken pirate ship, or bubbling scuba diver.

 

[danorth]

This guy doesn't know how well he had it. Chunk out of coris tail, out of emp tail, and almost the whole eye of my purp tang. It went into the sump (10 gallon) with the recirc skimmer. Then it went in here with the clownfish. It will stay here for a while....more than a month. Perhaps 3 at which time I can set up my 40 again at school/work.

It is a 10 gallon tank with just a pump and heater. Been setup for about 3 months now, weekly water changes of 4 gallons out, which leaves about 4 inches in, and then 4 gallons back in and then back out again. Anemone has no light, doesn't like light, and I've had it over 2 years now. Was once in my 135 until I had to nuke it. (just some background info for those that have questions)

Notice the tail and spikes of the undulate....one of the fancy ones! Call me an idiot if needed, but it is going to live high on the hog in this tank until summer passes.

 

[reefergeorge]

Wow! I hope that's photo shopped.
You should give that trigger, and anemone to someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[danorth]

LOL

 

[prime311]

If you do decide to get a larger tank, Crosshatch Triggers are generally considered reef safe.