Saying goodbye

godspeed23 · 02/22/2018, 07:42 PM

One of my absolute favorite fish is the clown trigger. For me, it's just one of the fish I had to have. I've read dozens of articles about them... and they all end badly. I've had mine for a little over a year. I've watched it grow from 2 inches to 5 inches. It demonstrates plenty of enthusiasm in my 250 gallon tank. It's exotic shape and colors are always attention grabbers. Unfortunately, as most experts predict, just as it has reached the 5-6 inch mark, this trigger has become very unneighborly. Now I'm forced to consider putting it up for adoption at my LFS. I'm completely disheartened. Has anyone had long term success keeping a clown trigger in a large community aquarium? Is this a hopeless cause?

windlasher · 02/22/2018, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godspeed23

One of my absolute favorite fish is the clown trigger. For me, it's just one of the fish I had to have. I've read dozens of articles about them... and they all end badly. I've had mine for a little over a year. I've watched it grow from 2 inches to 5 inches. It demonstrates plenty of enthusiasm in my 250 gallon tank. It's exotic shape and colors are always attention grabbers. Unfortunately, as most experts predict, just as it has reached the 5-6 inch mark, this trigger has become very unneighborly. Now I'm forced to consider putting it up for adoption at my LFS. I'm completely disheartened. Has anyone had long term success keeping a clown trigger in a large community aquarium? Is this a hopeless cause?

Sorry to hear that. This is one of the reasons I have avoided them over the years out of fear of just thins thing.

Xxero · 02/22/2018, 08:17 PM

I think that it would have to be a dedicated Trigger tank, which would be cool IMO. You could add Nigers and Browns, etc. Or else, yeah. He will gobble up everything that you put in there, I think.

HTH

Sk8r · 02/22/2018, 09:10 PM

Yep, it's going to be a problem in general. Triggers are fascinating fish, but as I hear it even scuba divers run from the big ones.

Zalick · 02/22/2018, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Yep, it's going to be a problem in general. Triggers are fascinating fish, but as I hear it even scuba divers run from the big ones.

You heard right. I spent two weeks diving in Raja Ampat Indonesia in January. Our guide showed us a large bite mark on his arm from a Titan trigger that attacked him a couple weeks before we got there.

tkeracer619 · 02/22/2018, 10:49 PM

If a trigger is sizing you up do him (and you) a favor, lift up some rocks, and find him something yummy to eat. You'll have a new friend.

Sk8r · 02/22/2018, 11:02 PM

They sound like fascinating fish. I hope you can figure something.

monkeysee1 · 02/23/2018, 02:40 PM

You learned the hard way - Triggerfish are NOT known for their friendliness. The Nigerian Triggers, so I am told, are one of the better behaved of the species, but I don't know if that's saying much there, my friend.
They are best kept with other fishes that WON'T put up with their B.S., such a Lionfish, Sharks, Maroon Clowns and perhaps Scorpionfish. You MAY be able to get away with adding a full sized angel (such as a Queen Angel or a Blue RIng) but even these fish may not be able to hold their own against a Trigger. And of course you CAN'T keep ANY invertebrates or corals otherwise it'll be munch city.

02/22/2018, 07:42 PM	#1
godspeed23 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 7	Saying goodbye One of my absolute favorite fish is the clown trigger. For me, it's just one of the fish I had to have. I've read dozens of articles about them... and they all end badly. I've had mine for a little over a year. I've watched it grow from 2 inches to 5 inches. It demonstrates plenty of enthusiasm in my 250 gallon tank. It's exotic shape and colors are always attention grabbers. Unfortunately, as most experts predict, just as it has reached the 5-6 inch mark, this trigger has become very unneighborly. Now I'm forced to consider putting it up for adoption at my LFS. I'm completely disheartened. Has anyone had long term success keeping a clown trigger in a large community aquarium? Is this a hopeless cause?

02/22/2018, 08:17 PM	#3
Xxero Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,054	I think that it would have to be a dedicated Trigger tank, which would be cool IMO. You could add Nigers and Browns, etc. Or else, yeah. He will gobble up everything that you put in there, I think. HTH __________________ "You Can Lead A Gift Horse To Water... But You Can't Make Him Look In Your Mouth." Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef Display - 15g Macro Algae/Refugium - 40b Sump

02/22/2018, 09:10 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Yep, it's going to be a problem in general. Triggers are fascinating fish, but as I hear it even scuba divers run from the big ones. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/22/2018, 10:49 PM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	If a trigger is sizing you up do him (and you) a favor, lift up some rocks, and find him something yummy to eat. You'll have a new friend. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/22/2018, 11:02 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	They sound like fascinating fish. I hope you can figure something. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/23/2018, 02:40 PM	#8
monkeysee1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MERRIMACK NH Posts: 423	You learned the hard way - Triggerfish are NOT known for their friendliness. The Nigerian Triggers, so I am told, are one of the better behaved of the species, but I don't know if that's saying much there, my friend. They are best kept with other fishes that WON'T put up with their B.S., such a Lionfish, Sharks, Maroon Clowns and perhaps Scorpionfish. You MAY be able to get away with adding a full sized angel (such as a Queen Angel or a Blue RIng) but even these fish may not be able to hold their own against a Trigger. And of course you CAN'T keep ANY invertebrates or corals otherwise it'll be munch city. __________________ Your "fair share" is not in my wallet; it's in my fish tank!! Current tank info: 90 Gallon saltwater 10 fish with a few inverts; NO CORALS! Tried to go reef; didn't work out so hot; FOWLR's for me!