Personable trigger, sel.   1/4/09
Hello Bob, Shea here. With some extra Christmas cash I was able to get a 125 gallon tank up and running! Now my dilemma is what to put in it. I love clown triggerfish and Picasso triggers just the same. I was wondering which
of these on your opinion/experience is the more "personable" fish.
<The Clown... but it gets too big for this volume>
Whichever one I get will be in the 1"-2" range. Would this bad an acceptable size?
<Both are great sizes to start... but again, the Clown will become "anomalous" in its behavior in this sized tank... perhaps within two years time... Better to go with one of the genus Rhinecanthus, have some other fast, smart fish tankmates with it... much more interesting for you, other humans>
Thank you so much for the help
<Welcome Shea. BobF>

Clown Trigger, Yay or Nay?!  5/12/06
I have a question regarding Clown Triggerfish Selection.
<Sure-thing.>
I ran across one at the LFS yesterday.  
<Okay.>
It is about 2" from end of the nose to the tip of the tail.
<A bit small, juvies of this species don't really acclimate or ship well in my experience.>
Its stomach is looks pinched and it seems to have general signs of lack of food.
<Not un-common.>
  My questions first should a Clown Triggerfish in this condition be passed on or can they recover quickly?
<Depends, is he/she eating now, is the animal alert, "spunky", and aware of the aquarists presence.>
  Also I couldn't find an article on the website that details the selection of a Clown Trigger fish, could you point me to it or help me out a bit as to what to look for regarding size and appearance when purchasing one?
<I'm not sure if we have a article specifically on clown triggers but here is a general article that may help you; http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/triggers/selection.htm ; Adam J.>

Clown Triggers
Question for you... I've seen beautiful pics of clown triggers, that have a "leopard like" print near their dorsal area and a distinct line near their "nose" and mouth. The ones I see at the LFS, between 1" and 1.5" only have solid yellow patches near their mouth and back.
<Yes... age/development and regional variations>
Does their coloring change with maturity or is the region from which they're captured the main differentiator of coloring? I want to make sure the one I get eventually looks as beautiful as the ones I've seen.
<Both... the ones from further into the Indian Ocean are "better" for what you're looking for... but don't get imported much into the west... due to relative costs>
Some have clear fins and other pics I've seen show a bluish coloring on their rear fin... again... does this come with age?
<This part more with "quality", health, happiness (yes I will use this term) of the individual. Bob Fenner>

Christmas Island Clown Trigger
Bob,
Is there anything special about a Clown Trigger from Christmas Island, other than they are more expensive?
<A little easier going than the ones from the Pacific... and sometimes with more, smaller "spots" on lower half of the body. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Kevin
p.s. I loved your book!!

Christmas island
Christmas island was the host (location) of a number of atmospheric nuclear tests in the late fifties and early sixties. Maybe this trigger glows in the dark!
<You're making my day! Bob Fenner>
Rick Klages