Clown Triggerfish/Feeding   4/28/06
How do you do?  <I'm fine, Petey.> I purchased a show size clown trigger a couple of weeks ago  
and it will not eat on its own.  I have to put the food on a stick and let him take it.  I have plenty of experience with show size triggers but this has never  
happened to me before.  There are no other fish in the tank other than on damsel <Not for long.> that survived the cycling process.  Any suggestions would be appreciated?
<I'd try different foods such as hard shell shrimp, squid, clams, etc.  May need more time to acclimate, especially in a new system that I'm thinking you have.>
Thanks,
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Petey

Clown trigger unable to eat  - 2/11/2006
Hi,
<Hello there>
I have had a 2" clown trigger for about 4 months now.  Things have been going well as he appears happy and actively swims around.  However, over the
last week or so, I've noticed that he's no longer able to eat.   
<!?>
He is definitely trying as he eagerly bites at the food I put in the tank. Unfortunately, he is unable to chew or bite through the food at all.  He'll
even take food into his mouth, but then he always spits it out.  I have tried a wide assortment of items including pellets, flakes, freeze-dried
krill, seaweed and frozen shrimp/scallops/mussels etc without any luck.  I really worry there is something wrong with his teeth, but I can't see any
obvious problems.  I assume he is injured or deformed
<Me too... likely the former... from "running into something">
as everything I've read about feeding triggerfish talks about how strong their jaws and teeth are.  Shouldn't he be able to easily devour all the above-mentioned foods?
<Yes>
Do you think this problem will correct itself in time or is my trigger doomed?  
<I do hope for the former>
Any recommendations, in terms of what to feed him or how to improve his situation, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
-Jay
<... really only "time going by" can/will tell here. Bob Fenner>

Re: sick clown trigger   12/8/06
Bob,
<Rob>
I'm sorry to keep bothering you, but there is no improvement with the clown trigger.  It's now been two weeks since he stopped eating.  The only semi-new development is that he had a bowel movement again today and expelled a bunch of white feces (I would not call it stringy, but it was what as chalk).  Any thoughts?
Thanks.
<Time to consider realistically the possibility of force-feeding t his specimen... with a large plastic catheter or turkey baster... and mashed up meaty food and vitamin supplement... netting, holding the fish to the side of the tank (with a very clean, residue-free cloth towel and friend...). Bob Fenner>

Re: sick clown trigger... force-feeding what?  12/10/06
Bob,  
<Rob>
Thanks for the advice.  I found an easier way to force feed the trigger, which may be useful if any of your readers have a similar problem.  I put a mussel on a feeding stick (after soaking it in some garlic appetite stimulant) and kept swatting the trigger in the mouth with it until he got mad and reflexively snapped it up.
<.... okay>
I think this is probably a lot less stress on him than trying to catch him and feed him through a tube or syringe.  I was able to feed him three mussels this way, and did not want to give him any more, since he had not eaten in 16 days and I thought too much food would not be good for his system.  Hopefully, this will "jump start" him and he will start eating regularly again.
I can't tell if he looks a bit bloated, or its just that his abdomen looks swollen because he has lost weight on other parts of his body.  While I don't want to medicate the tank, unless you think there is any downside, I was planning on adding a bit of antibiotics to his food when I soak it tomorrow.  
Thanks for all the help.  Rob.
<Real good... on out. B>

Clown Trigger Down in the Dumps
I have a clown trigger that is acting somewhat odd and I was wondering if you could give me suggestions.  He has not eaten for a day and a half (and he usually is VERY willing to eat!) and doesn't swim around much.  He just stays lodged under his rock most of the time -- only coming out momentarily.  His color looks good and I have not noticed anything strange on him -- looks totally normal.  I did a water test and everything is perfect.  The other fish show no signs of anything odd.  Got any clues or suggestions?  Is he depressed after the holiday rush maybe???  :)
<Likely my favorite species of fish (commissioned a stained glass model years back!). This is about the "most intelligent" species of a smart family of fishes... that does "just seem" to "get the blahs" every now and then (as well as "the children's play hour")... I suspect, given the other input, that there's nothing wrong with yours... it will just as suddenly "wake up" and eat everything in sight. Bob Fenner>

Fish With Slow Growth
Hi guys!
<Hey!>
No big problem. I'm just curious as to why my clown trigger is growing so slowly. He has been in a 180g for two years, and is very healthy and active. He has grown from about 5" to 7" in that time. 
<This is a touch slow, but please do not make fun, he may be sensitive.>
Fed approx. once per day with a varied diet--sometimes I am away from home and skip a day or two, while other days I'll feed two meals. He eats supermarket squid, scallops, shrimp, crab, plus flake food, silversides, and a variety of frozen cubes.
<Sounds good, I would add some more protein frozen PE Mysid shrimp and more krill (Freeze dried and frozen). Occasional live crayfish too for dental care (wearing teeth down).>
I added a gorgeous golden meleagris puffer to the tank, and that fish has gone from 7" to 9" in less than six months. Since both fish will reach approx. the same adult size, and are in the same tank, and eat approx. the same amount of food, shouldn't the growth rates be nearly the same too? 
<not really> 
Is it simply that the trigger is a bit more active and "burns calories"? I want to make sure they -- the two above plus a 28" snowflake moray-- eat enough, but on the other hand I don't want out-of-control nutrients in the tank either. BTW, I will get a larger tank for them as they continue to grow. 
<good to hear> 
Thank you for your thoughts. Steve.
<How long is your tank? A fish in a 100gal six foot long tank will grow faster than in a 100gal four foot long tank. Offer foods higher in protein, make sure water quality is good, and he should start putting on some weight. Best Regards, Gage.>