Triggerfish/Health   8/8/06
Hello,
<Hello Brent>
I am writing to you because I am in a situation where I feel asking for help may be the best thing to do at this point. I purchased a 3 1/2 inch Undulated Trigger 3 days ago. After the usual acclimation period I added him to his 75 gallon new home. Quarantine was skipped because this tank is due to be stripped and redone in the near future and my 30 gallon QT tank is occupied. All seemed to be the norm and after a few hours I tended to my regular maintenance. I have a Aqua-C Remora pro w/ Mag 3 for a skimmer. I removed the sponge from the pump to clean it and never thought twice about it being a problem. I left it off while I did other things and eventually took a nap. After waking up and checking on my new pet I found him stuck to the intake of the Mag/3. Like an idiot I reached in to help him without first turning off the pump. More than half of his one side is now a big hickey. He seems to be active. His color (minus the sore) is normal. I would think that this fish would be well on the road to recovery except he hasn't eaten.  I have offered cut shrimp, krill, formula one, trigger formula, squid and Mysis shrimp. Here are my water readings.
Temp 78
SPG 1.023
ph 8.3
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 10 or lower
The tank is fully cycled and the only other fish is a 3 stripe damsel. I have added 10 teaspoons of Epsom salt. What else if anything can I do?
<Give it a little more time.  Once the trauma period is over the appetite should return if no internal injuries to the fish occurred.  James (Salty Dog)>
Brent

Failing Undulate Trigger ...No, failed aquarist. - 2/15/2006
Hello.
<<Hello Amber.>>
I have a four year old Undulate Trigger. He was recently moved (December) into a larger tank (40 gallons).
<<This fish reaches a foot in length. He needs a tank at LEAST double this.>>
All of his familiar shells/ornamentation was moved with him. About a month went by before the algae started to show ("normal" levels that have never bothered the fish here before); the algae were a mix of the green and the red. Recently, the red algae began to "GROW"  into membrane-like coverings throughout the tank. This obviously did not make trigger happy.
<<Poor water quality is bugging him more, I ‘m sure.>>
Last Thursday I physically removed as much of the algae as I could while I prepared to do the water change/ maintenance (I know I should have changed/cleaned the filter sooner, but was out of carbon).
<<Not a compelling reason to skimp on maintenance.>>
Between Friday and Saturday, I cleaned as much as I could while I prepared the new water/ treated it with buffer and Prime.  I took a water test on Saturday, and the Nitrite/Nitrate were off, everything else was within ideal range.
<<What does 'off' mean.  Please give numbers.  If you were detecting nitrIte, something is very wrong in your tank.  You need to move your trigger into larger quarters.>>
I had plans to do a 25% water change, clean filtration etc. on Monday.
<<Had plans? Did you?>>
Alas, Sunday Morning, trigger was not as vigorous as usual. He came out of his shell only once for a quick nip and that was all.
<<He is being poisoned by his own waste.  I’d be ornery too.>>
Sunday night, he wouldn't come out to eat, and was 'gasping' and looking generally stressed.. I did a quick 10% water change.
<<Not nearly enough to keep toxins down.>>
Monday afternoon the Trigger was lying down outside of his shell, breathing rapidly, and otherwise NOT swimming, even when I tried to 'nudge' him.
<<Bad idea, will only stress him further.>>
I broke down the filtration (a magnum 350 with activated carbon), cleaned the hosing, did the 25% water change, put a bubbler in to give him more Oxygen.
Tuesday morning the only change was he is lying on the sand floor on the opposite end of the tank.. He is not breathing as rapidly and does not look as stressed, but his color is darker than normal, and he still will not swim or eat that I can see.
<<Doesn’t sound any better to me.>>
I took water test, showed ammonia ideal, Nitrite .5, Nitrate 40, PH and Alkalinity, showed high.
<<These subjective terms ‘ideal, high’ mean nothing to me.  Please give numbers.  NirtIte showing is a sign of terrible water quality, and a  lack of appropriate cycling bacteria.>>
I have new water again to do another 10% water change today (Wednesday) & to remove as much red algae as I can.. Is there anything else I can do for this fish??
<<Yes.  Do LARGE (75%+) water changes as many times per day as needed to keep ammonia and nitrIte at 0, while you go buy a larger tank.>>
I don't see any white spots or other discoloration, and frankly.. I am out of ideas.
<<It’s quite obvious what the problems are here.>>
Any advice would be helpful at this point.
Thank you.
Amber A.
<<Lisa.>>

Re: Failing Undulate Trigger ...No, failed aquarist. - 2/15/2006
You know, I e-mailed you looking for help and advice.. NOT for mockery and debasement!
<<I did not mock you, Amber.>>
Obviously we are aware that the Trigger will need larger quarters.
<<Was not even mentioned.>>
We have a 150 gallon tank that will be his future home; we are currently researching equipment & environmental choices to see which would be the best options.
<<Awesome.>>
When I say that ammonia is ideal, it is because on the quick-strip test that is the readout option! There are no numbers!
<<Ah I see, hence the confusion.>>
I realize nitrite and nitrate are bad... if you were reading my e-mail, you would have noticed I took IMMEDIATE steps to rectify those levels!!
<<I did read it; I simply feel/felt that larger water changes are in order.  Nothing rude in that.>>
There was no need to mock my maintenance methods... the scheduled maintenance was not due until the last week of the month... so it is understandable that I did not have carbon on hand.
<<I did not mock you, just stated that lack of carbon is not a reason to let water quality slide.>>
But gee, thanks for all your great advice!
<<Although you are being sarcastic, you’re welcome.  If you set aside the fact that you think I mocked you, you will see that I suggested larger quarters/water changes, and that these are quite helpful. I am sorry, but there is no other answer to give you.>>
Meanwhile this trigger is very lethargic.. probably starving...and I'm doing water changes every day (I only did 25% because the action was stressing the fish more!)
<<Even if so, reducing the toxins in his water is the main concern here, and will kill your Trigger if not corrected.>>
So I'll continue doing daily water changes, with hopes this fish will pull through, without any helpful information/advice from you.
<<Sorry you feel that way, but not true.  Lisa.>>   
Amber A.
 

- Is My Trigger OK? - UNDULATE TRIGGER HELLO. first time writing! <Greetings to you, JasonC here...> I have received tons of helpful info from your FAQ'S. Good to know someone cares. My question is I purchased an undulate trigger 5 in today from local LFS which I ordered. When I arrived to pick him up he was floating upside down in a bucket I touched him and he swam down and then floated right back up so I rushed him home to my quarantine tank. Well he seems a little better and staying right side up but still seams to be listing a little and looks bloated in the belly. Maybe just fat? What could it be? Is it possible for him to have long term damage from shipping or swim bladder problem? <It is possible...> I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or help. <I'd just give it some time. Capture and shipping are very stressful and every animal takes that stress a little differently. All in all, Triggers are pretty tough customers so as long as its new home is in good shape - clean water, places to hide, etc. - it should be ok in time.> I'VE  INCLUDED A PIC - THANKS, COREY <Cheers, J -- >