Xanthichthys mento vs auromarginatus

Achilles Torben

Achilles Torben

Member
Hallo@all

My new 1300 gallon 5500 liter tank is running now. I think about a reefsafe trigger and I love to give a fish a partner. So I find this two triggers. Now my questions. They look very similar. I watched them by youtube and I can't say one of them looks more coulerful. It's right. I not able to watch them in real live. Mento is more pricy because it is not so often I think but not the better fish. I am right? I have a only SPS tank. My temperature is about 24 till 27 degrees in summer. Is auromarginatus the better choice? I plan many small fishes like wrasses and pseudanthias pulcherimus. This to triggers will make me trouble?

Sorry for my bad englisch. Never use this leangue since school.

Can somebody help me?
 
The two species have similar temperaments and care requirements. X. auromarginatus is more common and also generally more hardy. If I remember correctly X. mentos has a tendency to develop mouth problems in captivity, though it's not guaranteed.

In a tank that size you should be able to keep multiple triggers from either. They are semi-social and are often sold as bonded pairs.

As far as which is the better fish, whichever you prefer honestly. You have a very large tank so I assume cost is not an issue for you.
 
If you can find a pair of Xanthichthys mento, that would be a winning proposition in your sized tank, IMO. (It is difficult to get them moderately sized, however). They are surely one of the most beautiful triggers that is behaviorally acceptable for a community tank.
 
Thanks for your answer. Mento is difficult in our area. But one of my question is: there is a difference between the colours? Is mento more colourful or why he is so popular. Or he is just rare and that's the reason why he is so popular?

Greetings
 
I do not know if they are considered "rare" but I suppose that depends on your location. I like them because of their personality which makes them, coupled with their distinctive appearance, a great fish in a large aquarium.
 
Hello
I talked to my trader. Pair of mento coast about 1200€ (1630$) auromarginatus about 110€ (150€). The trader means there are no big difference between the species. When I want a rare fish I should take the mento. He favorite about the price the auromarginatus.

Greetings
 
Apples and oranges...

If you saw these fish in person, you'd spot the difference right away. Male X. auromarginatus has subtle yellows throughout the body with, of course, the blue jawline. The females are a pink tint that fades into a blue towards the head.

Now, Xanthichthys mento, is completely different. the red/lavender colors in the males is absolutely striking in person. The body is more of a gold color with bright yellow tipped fins and blue lines through the jaw. Plus that awesome red pectoral! The females are a little less flamboyant, but still very pretty. The gold is still present in the body, with deep red tipped fins and a bright yellow tail.

Not a trigger fan, but the Xanthichthys mento would be an exception in my book. Provided i could find a smaller pair. You will not be disappointed.
 
BlueMac92 said:
Not a trigger fan, but the Xanthichthys mento would be an exception in my book. Provided i could find a smaller pair. You will not be disappointed.
Click to expand...

If I had the proper environment, this is what I would get. However smaller specimens are relatively difficult to find.
 
Thank you for your answers. One more question. Mento get problems with higher temperature in summer? 28 degrees Celsius (82F) is to high?
 
82 is a little high for the temp but it shouldn't be a problem. Also don't, I repeat don't get a pair... They won't stay a pair. Just get a smaller male and be done with it.
 
Dmorty217 said:
82 is a little high for the temp but it shouldn't be a problem. Also don't, I repeat don't get a pair... They won't stay a pair. Just get a smaller male and be done with it.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Is this problem to pair just Mento or Auromarginatus also? In this moment I have a pair auromarginatus. But my first pair was to male after a while. So I change on male against a bigger female. In this moment everything is okay. Not for a long time?

The Auromarginatus I don't like so much. It is not so colourful I hoped. So I think about a change against Mento.
 
Achilles Torben said:
Thanks. My other fish have no problems by 82 or more in summer. So I don't want to buy one fish and have also to buy a cooler.

Greetings Torben
Click to expand...

Achilles Torben said:
Thanks. Is this problem to pair just Mento or Auromarginatus also? In this moment I have a pair auromarginatus. But my first pair was to male after a while. So I change on male against a bigger female. In this moment everything is okay. Not for a long time?

The Auromarginatus I don't like so much. It is not so colourful I hoped. So I think about a change against Mento.
Click to expand...
Greetings Torben
 
Achilles Torben said:
Thanks. Is this problem to pair just Mento or Auromarginatus also? In this moment I have a pair auromarginatus. But my first pair was to male after a while. So I change on male against a bigger female. In this moment everything is okay. Not for a long time?

The Auromarginatus I don't like so much. It is not so colourful I hoped. So I think about a change against Mento.
Click to expand...

For whatever the reason they seem to almost always end up with male pairs
 
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