Niger Trigger, in a reef tank?

[MikeP]

I saw one of these fish in someone else's reef tank over the weekend. I've always liked triggers but hadn't considered getting one for my reef tank because I didn't think any were compatible. I've read lots on the internet and some sites say they will be fine and others say no way. Most info says they will not harm any corals but may go after shrimp/snails. I have one large cleaner and a large coral banded shrimp as well as about 40 nassarius and about 6-10 astrea snails. Anyway does anyone have experience with Niger's or other info to share?

Thanks!

[Chowder]

Actually just put one in my reef tank this weekend. Mostly just hiding in my rock work right now. They are usually considered hit or miss. I was told they don,t touch corals but might go after the smaller fish in your tank. There are a few reef tanks in the Vancouver area that have triggers like Pink Tails, Crosshatch , Bluejaws and Nigers. Only complaint I have heard from some of the people that I know that keep them is they like to rearrange the corals in the tank. Not sure what mine is going to do yet but if you get one make sure you can catch it if it does act up.

Chris

[justinl]

Well, first you have to realize that there are two kinds of triggers. those with down-turned mouths who specialize in benthic feeding, mostly on crustaceans, and those with upturned mouths who specialize in feeding in the water column. The first group includes the may-eventually-go-psycho-and-kill-everything triggers like clowns and undulated among others. The second includes the more peaceful crosshatches, nigers, pink-tails, blue throats, etc. Obviously you would want to pick one of the latter.

Another thing you have to consider is that they swim. a lot. and fast. big triggers can easily snap corals so you may have some unintentional fragging going on as well as some corals just being knocked over if they aren't secured well enough (zip ties, big rocks, and superglue come in handy here).

You may also want to think hard about putting a trigger in an acrylic tank. Their skin is like chainmail and can put a lot of scratches in your front glass if they swim there often (associating you with food). The bigger the tank, the less likely this is to occur I think; but you would probably need a VERY large tank if I am right.

[Aquattro]

I've had nigers in my reef. They don't touch corals, but will go after shrimp and fish small enough to take bites out of. Actually, mine moved a coral all the time. I'd put it back, and he moved it again. We did this for weeks. No damage though, just picked it up and carried it to the other side of the tank. Small shrimps, crabs, etc, will likely be food.

[ElGuappo]

From what i have heard anything "in" your tank may be fine, but any inverts added after the triggers will be considered food as anything else thats added to the tank.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by ElGuappo

From what i have heard anything "in" your tank may be fine.

nope, mine went after anything that was already there, if it was small enough. He tried the snails, but wasn't big enough yet to crack them.