Blue Throat Trigger

[Reefer2727]

I am wondering if these guys are the reef safe? Some say they are not and some say they are. I am sure it is a bit of a gamble considering that they are a trigger.

If they were to go at inverts what would they most likely eat? I currently only have a few blood shrimp and a bunch of snails.

Same question for corals. Do they like a certain kind? I just have an assortment of soft corals.

Also, the only fish I currently have is a pair of black clowns. The tank is 75 gallons.

Would a Bluethroat be a good idea for my set up?

Thoughts?

[Jordani]

They would enjoy those shrimps, but they are generally "coral safe". 75 gallons is the minimum for triggers because they like a lot of room to swim around. They are also somewhat aggresive. I would say leave the blue throat trigger out and look for something that is less likely to be a nusiance. Such as a fairy wrasse, blenny, cardinalfish or a new piece of coral.

[LobsterOfJustice]

You're pretty safe with a bluejaw. They have awkward little upturned mouths that makes it hard for them to pick at stuff. They are also notoriously timid.

[jk75]

I've had my blue throat for about four months and he has been a model citizen. I have have mostly softies, a couple of shrimp, hermits, and snails and he hasn't bothered any of them. He was very timid at first but now is always out and eats everything.

[saix88]

Mine doesn't touch my inverts and is shy at times, but he loves to swim torward the koralia 5

[200mfromocean]

No problems with my pair affecting my clam, sps, lps, fire shrimp or pestering other fish.

[candeewolf]

These are extremely docile fish that are very shy at most time except when it comes to feeding time. I would assume that they may have a chance to nip at something (inverts) if you don't feed them for a long time, but they are extremely hardy and great for any tank their size that doesnt have inhabitants that will beat them up. I've never seen nor heard of any exceptions to this type of behavior.

[Reefer2727]

Sounds like the majority thinks the Bluethroat Trigger may be a good addition. I will do some more research. Another question, would a 20 gallon QT tank be too small for one of these guys. I have got into the habit of quarantining everything that comes into my DT. Wondering if a 20 gallon QT would be too small and just stress out a Bluethroat more?

[candeewolf]

Depends on the size of the trigger. Typically, you'll find them for sale between 3"-6", with 4"-5" being the best size. If you do get that recommended size, a 20 gal QT will be absolutely fine for it. They are very very shy and slow moving while getting acclimated the first few weeks. It sometimes takes them quite a while to get used to the tank.

Just to back up what I said before, you should definitely consider getting one if you like/love triggers (like I do) but have a reef or small/docile fish and invertebrates.

[WuHT]

The only thing that might hold you back is your tank size... though i've kept my 4" trigger in a 10 gallon tank for about a month during QT and he's fine today.

[lilchris]

I have a bluethroat trigger in my 90g. He is somewhat shy, until my fairy wrasse come out of his little cave, then the BT goes crazy chasing after him. I think I am going to take the BT back due to his aggressive behavior towards the wrasse. I am a wrasse man so the BT is out of luck unless the aggressive behavior stops.
I have him in a 20g long tank right being treated w/ Hyposalinity. I have to do a water change everyday to keep the Ammonia down.

[Reefer2727]

I am totally on the fence on this one. I really do love the way they look. Just a little apprehensive that the aggression will be too much. Has anyone seen a Bluethroat going after Clowns? I would hate to see my pair of Black Clowns become prisoners in their own home.

Perhaps a small tang may be a better idea than a BT trigger. I know that 75 gallons is not ideal but if I got one small it would work for a few years.

To trigger or tang, that is the question.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Reefer2727]

I just read that triggers are known to be jumpers. Is this true? Do you need a closed lid or canopy for one of these guys? I have an open top so if this is the case perhaps I should forget about the trigger thing.

[Sardaukar]

I just read that triggers are known to be jumpers. Is this true? Do you need a closed lid or canopy for one of these guys? I have an open top so if this is the case perhaps I should forget about the trigger thing.

Every fish is a "jumper" given the right circumstances. Well, maybe not eels, but they prefer to crawl out of tanks than jump out :D

[Reefer2727]

So Triggers are not known to jump anymore than any other fish?

[gtptom]

I would vote for the trigger over the tang based on your tank size. Great fish, wish I wouldn't have gotten rid of mine. Actually thinking about getting another.

[NCSUsalt]

i've had quite a few bluejaws jump (usually into overflows) but more so than other triggers

[vamaro]

I had a blue-jaw in the past and have a cross-hatch pair now. Both are very calm fish, especially when compared to tangs. My cross hatches are both about 7 inches. No aggression, they do not touch the corals that I have, and they do not eat my cleaner shrimps. My blue jaw was the same way. My triggers do not jump, but I had lost other fish this way. Now I keep my tank covered.

[saix88]

Don't mean to hijack...but does anyone know why my blue throat trigger swims at night? He is out during the day, but of course hides if I approach the tank to quickly. My refugium light causes the tank to be a very lightly lit, no more than a moonlight and I can see him swimming around in the pitch darkness and he even comes up to the glass where I am.

[MedicalZoa]

how do you prevent a male bluethroats from losing its yellow fins, cause this happened to me. do you have to keep them in pairs as in male/female?