Trigger Fish
While they are generally considered monsters that will chomp invertebrates, a few species can make great reef fish. Other more aggressive species such as the Undulated Trigger, and Clown Trigger will sometimes be so aggressive that it is necessary to keep as the sole inhabitant of the aquarium. All will require large tanks, with good filtration.
This endemic Red Sea trigger has been showing up with greater regularity since the early 90's, though still not frequently available. Young fish are mild-mannered and usually behave themselves. But as they get larger they may become more belligerent, like most triggers. They can be kept with fish equal in size or larger. Keep one of these fish per tank, although it can be housed with other triggers. An ideal aquarium fish if housed with appropriate tankmates.
The clown triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum, is a triggerfish from the order Tetraodontiformes. This reef-associated fish is commonly found in the tropical Indo-Pacific and Red Sea.
Because of its attractive coloration, this fish is one of the most highly prized aquarium fish. Like many other triggerfish, it can require a large aquarium and be aggressive towards other fish. It should not be kept with small fishes. It will also prey on invertebrates in the aquarium. This fish can become tame enough to be hand-fed, however one should beware of the fish's sharp teeth.
The black triggerfish, Melichthys niger, called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, is a blimp-shaped triggerfish with bright white lines running along its dorsal and anal fins. When in the water, it appears to be completely black. However, if it is taken out and exposed to bright light, one can see that it is actually of a dark-blue/green coloration.
On average, 12 inches, although it can grow to be up to 18 inches.
The Gilded Triggerfish or Blue-throated Triggerfish, Xanthichthys auromarginatus, is a spotted gray triggerfish. Males of the species have blue cheeks and yellow-bordered white fins. They can grow up to 22 centimeters (8.7in) in length.
Unlike most trigerfish, it is rarely aggressive towards other fish. It needs a minimum size tank of 75 gallons. When it gets settled it likes to swims in the open waters above rocky or sandy substrates. This triggerfish is one of the only triggerfish that will breed in the home aquarium. This fish should not harm any sessile invertebrates but may eat ornamental shrimps. Males have a blue throat patch and a bright yellow edge to the tail, dorsal and ventral fins.
The Halfmoon triggerfish, Sufflamen chrysopterum, is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-West Pacific area. The Halfmoon triggerfish lives around seaward reefs and shallow lagoons. It is solitary and can often be seen swimming around coral looking for small animals, like crustaceans and worms, on which it feeds. The Halfmoon picassofish species is often also named Halfmoon triggerfish.
The redtoothed triggerfish or Niger trigger, Odonus niger, is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area, the sole member of its genus.
The redtoothed triggerfish is a dark blue bodied fish, ranging up to 50 cm in length. The fins are all blue-green in color, having yellow and light blue trim. It has a lyre shaped caudal fin with a yellow bar between the lobes. Like all triggerfish redtoothed triggers have a retractable dorsal spine. Their pectoral fins are quite small; as a result they swim mostly with their dorsal and anal fins, which makes them not so fast, but very maneuverable.
The Lagoon triggerfish, (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) also known as the blackbar triggerfish, the Picassofish, and the Jamal, is a triggerfish, up to 30 cm in length, found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
Lagoon triggerfish lives in the shallow flats and sandy areas of coral reefs where it eats just about anything it comes along (small fish, crustaceans, sea urchins, coral, worms, etc). They are always restlessly swimming around and can vigorously protect their territory against intruders, including divers, especially when guarding their eggs during reproduction season. Fortunately, their relative small size makes them much less dangerous than their larger brother the titan triggerfish.
The Pinktail triggerfish, Melichthys vidua, is a dark green triggerfish with translucent pinkish-white dorsal and tail fins. They can grow up to 40 centimeters (15 in) in length.
Balistes vetula, also known as Queen Triggerfish is a reef dwelling fish from the Atlantic Ocean. It is occasionally caught as a gamefish, and sometimes kept in marine aquariums.
As one of the largest and most aggressive of the triggerfish this fish is rarely a good choice as a resident in a marine aquarium. It is however a hardy fish for those who can provide it with a proper environment. Because it grows so large, and so quickly the ideal aquarium for this fish is a 500 gallon aquarium, although some sources argue they can be kept is as little as a 125 gallon aquarium when it achieves its adult size of two feet it is unlikely to thrive. Its diet consists of invertebrates. In aquariums shrimp, squid, clams, octopus, scallops, and crab are all good choices of food.
The titan triggerfish, Balistoides viridescens, is the largest of the triggerfish species and can grow up to 75 cm in length (30 inches). Their range includes reef areas in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Fiji, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and the Maldives, also in the Red Sea. The fish is not a pelagic species and generally lives in the flat areas of the reef.
The fish can be very aggressive towards divers and snorkellers. Especially during reproduction season it is very territorial and will guard its nest, which it lays in a flat sandy area, vigorously against any intruders. Due to its size and strong teeth it can inflict serious injury. Bites may also be ciguatoxic. The Titan Triggerfish will not always bite, but can swim at snorkellers and divers escorting them out of their territory. When the males (most colourful) start swimming in your direction, the best thing to do is swim away backwards kicking your fins as a defence. Failure to do so may result in being bitten.
The Orange-lined Triggerfish, Orange-striped Triggerfish or Undulated Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area. It is the only member of the genus Balistapus. They reach a maximum size of about 30 cm. They feed on coral, crabs and invertebrates. They are found up to around 50 m deep in tropical waters.
Balistapus undulatus is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium. It however has a reputation as one of the meanest fish in the aquarium trade. Sometimes young individuals will accept tank-mates but an owner should expect this fish to kill most fish and invertebrates that share its aquarium. Serious consideration should therefore be made for keeping this fish alone. The minimum tank size to keep a small fish alone is 50 gallons. It is a slow growing fish, but as it gets older it will likely need a larger aquarium.