What do you guys think...?

[fender4string]

I was at the fish store toady buying some new food for my kole tang who still isn't eating prepared food when I noticed an awesome little picasso trigger. He's looks amazing (both aesthetically and health wise). This will be the last fish I get for my current tank.

There's a question I have though about what might be a potential problem...

For those who don't already know it, current stocklist is a singapore angel (2-2.5 inches), a one spot foxface (3.5-4 inches), the already mentioned kole tang (3-3.5 inches), and a blue spot toby (2 inches).

The picasso at the store is about 3-3.5 inches long. I had wanted to get one that was about 2 inches as a way to help prevent any possible aggression.

Do you guys think the little bit bigger size of this guy will be a problem? If it's worth mentioning, the employee I talked to said that the picasso seemed pretty shy and it interacted peacefully with a maroon clown that was in the tank with it (the clown must have been sold so I didn't see this first hand).

 

[Recty]

If it was cheap, I'd go for it, since you think it's a great specimen.

Really, triggers seem to have such different personalities it just is almost hard to say yes or no. Everyone seemed to think I couldnt have my humu because they are such bad boys, but mine has been the model of peace the last 3-4 months. He only pesters new triggers, he didnt even care a bit about the new angel and tang I added a couple weeks ago.

Anyway, if it was me, I'd give it a shot as long as I really was getting a fish I wanted. I waited to buy my humu until I found a really good one that just did it for me, then I purchased, I didnt just go out and buy the first one I saw. I'm glad I did too, it is a gorgeous fish with better coloring than I see on most other humus. If you had your heart set on getting a smaller trigger, like in the 2 inch range, it wont kill you to keep on waiting

I'm sure you realize you're taking a gamble, you might have lots of aggression and have to separate the fish quickly. A three and a half inch humu can be hard to catch, too

 

[fender4string]

Thanks Recty. This guys not as nice as yours but he's one of the better that I've seen.

Yeah I know it could be a problem regardless (nature of the fish). I'm hoping that I do get a peaceful one because tearing down my tank to catch this guy and to save my other fish would suck.

 

[Recty]

And really, I think that getting a 3.5" one as opposed to a 2.5" one doesnt really make it much more risky... a little higher risk involved but an acceptable one, imo. Triggers below 3" just look geeky, too skinny with too big of eyes

 

[Gotsoup]

My picasso has been relativle peaceful. The only aggression he ever really showed was toward a second trigger I added a year later and even then after a day he mellowed out. They are hardy too, mine has survived everything, the only fish I have had since the very beggining of set up.

 

[Recty]

Just to get you motivated to make a purchase, here is my latest favorite shot of my humu

I like it because there are actually 5 fish in the picture

 

[baldomero]

hey i was at the beach about 1month ago and saw a nice black trigger swimming in about 4feet of water he was about 3inches it was beautiful so i got my net ready and it took me 10minutes to catch em after i caught him i was having second thoughts thinking he was gonna kill all my other fish or atleast bully them around now i dont know the temper difference between the black and the picasso but my black trigger is a baby he doesnt bother anyone and its doing great so yeah u should get em

 

[fender4string]

Thanks for the comments guys

And Recty....I hate you (jealousy!!)

That's a pretty cool picture. I never get sick of seeing pictures of your picasso.

 

[anbosu]

I have a small one in my 120 (about 2") and he is definitely goofy looking. Normally a fish that size would be in danger of being eaten by my grouper, but due to the body shape he is fine. He hasn't exhibited any aggression yet, but clearly stands up for himself since none of the other fish bother him. Generally from what I have read the humas are considered more passive triggers.

 

[fender4string]

Thanks anbosu. I haven't seen a whole lot of little picassos so thanks for mentioning the fact that they're weird looking. The only little guy I saw (who had the most intense colors I have ever seen on a picasso) was kind of ugly but I thought it might just have been that particular fish.

 

[anbosu]

Their proportions are all off when they are little. The eyes are too far back on their body and they seem like they have a mouth and a tail and that's it. They look more normal when they grow up, lol.