2 questions about triggerfish..

[justinl]

There are two basic groups of triggers. First has upturned mouth for hunting plankton (water column dwellers), the second has a down-turned mouth designed to hunt the benthic zone. For whatever reason, the first group is generally more docile; they are also less likely to go beserk (see below) after time and less likely to munch inverts or smaller fish... no guarantees of course. The second group includes the well known beserkers like clown triggers; they're more likely to terrorize a tank. Strictly speaking, all trigs are coral safe as far as I've seen, but the big guys might knock over coral if it isn't secured properly. examples of the first group include bluethroats, crosshatch, nigers, pinktails, etc. examples of the second group include picasso, clown, undulated etc.

[bv_reefer]

Originally Posted by justinl

There are two basic groups of triggers. First has upturned mouth for hunting plankton (water column dwellers), the second has a down-turned mouth designed to hunt the benthic zone. For whatever reason, the first group is generally more docile; they are also less likely to go beserk (see below) after time and less likely to munch inverts or smaller fish... no guarantees of course. The second group includes the well known beserkers like clown triggers; they're more likely to terrorize a tank. Strictly speaking, all trigs are coral safe as far as I've seen, but the big guys might knock over coral if it isn't secured properly. examples of the first group include bluethroats, crosshatch, nigers, pinktails, etc. examples of the second group include picasso, clown, undulated etc.

thanks alot guys that sums up about everything, one thing i'm worried about is my clam, i know so many fish can't resist nipping at clam mantles, anyone know how triggers are with clams and such? also can't seem to find a blue line but found a redtooth and picasso, which would probably be the the more sensible choice?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by bv_reefer

which would probably be the the more sensible choice?

Is this for your 40g tank? If so, a trigger is not a good choice. They get big.

[Chaloupa]

My bluethroats LOVED clams!

[Brent F]

Triggers usually are not compatible with clams.

Snappy has a couple clams in with his trigger but successfully keeping them together is more the exception. The best hope of success is if the clam is in the tank before the trigger, the trigger is kept well fed and you have a big tank but , even then, be prepared to lose the clam.

Comes down to luck whether an individual trigger will kill the clams or not. Why risk it?

[bv_reefer]

ya it is for the 40 brad, i was planning on getting a juvie. ya i can't risk having all my clams getting wiped out, that is really the only thing thats in the tank thats a problem, i have no sessile inverts, oh well, thanks again for the info

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by bv_reefer

ya it is for the 40 brad, i was planning on getting a juvie.

Triggers can grow quite quickly, and would outgrow a 40 within a year. Picasos can get to be about 10 inches, some triggers get 2 feet long!

[bv_reefer]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Triggers can grow quite quickly, and would outgrow a 40 within a year. Picasos can get to be about 10 inches, some triggers get 2 feet long!

ya definitely not for my tank then! that with the fact that live clam is too expensive of a meal for a fish lol, i'm looking for one of those really colorful and odd looking fish, but i think i'll settle for a wrasse instead

[dogboy]

Originally Posted by bv_reefer

i have no sessile inverts, oh well, thanks again for the info

Sessile means the organism is attached to the substrate and therefore cannot move around. I think coral qualify if i am not mistaken.....

And if you are saying the Picasso trigger is a good choice for you then you may have misunderstood what Justinl was saying..... they are of the "Berserker" variety ....