Picasso Trigger in a 60-Gallon Tank?...And With Who? - 05/27/07
Hey guys, thanks for all the help and information you have provided me in the past.
<<We're all (guys and gals) happy to help>>
I have been thinking about purchasing an Assasi or "Picasso" Trigger fish.
<<Ah, a very good "choice" as far as Triggers go...and my wife's favorite>>
Will a 60-gallon aquarium be large enough to house him in?
<<Mmm...Rhinecanthus "is" one of the smaller genera of Trigger Fishes, but 60 gallons is still a might small.  As they are slow growers, a small specimen (3"-4") would likely do fine for a few years but would still be better off/need larger quarters as it grows>>
Also, what other types of fish may I keep in the tank with him?
<<Small "agile" fishes are fine, providing there are adequate escape routes/hiding places among the rockwork to escape the trigger...otherwise, pugnacious though not overly aggressive fishes of similar size will work (angels, basses, etc.), although you will have a problem housing the latter due to the restrictions of tank size.  For this size tank I feel you are better off having the Trigger as the "show" specimen, and adding a few small fishes (Yellow-Tailed Blue Damsels, perhaps) for added motion/interest)...unless/until you can get a bigger tank>>
Thanks,
Chris
<<Is a pleasure to share.  EricR>>

Picasso Trigger
OK here is my dilemma. I have a 55 gallon fish only. Right now I have only crushed shells as my substrate. I want to avoid live rock at all costs. What 
all can I put in the tank as far as decoration. Are any plastic decorations safe for saltwater? 
<All sorts of polyethylene and ceramic ornaments are made for aquarium use that are safe... some even attractive!>
Also the lighting on the tank is moderate. I have about a 6 inch Picasso triggerfish that I purchased from ffexpress by the way. He is 
doing very well. I am curious as to if any corals, anenomes, inverts would be safe in the tank with him. Thanks for your help
>>
Not really in a tank of this size... I would either set-up another tank, give this Trigger away and switch the tank over to something more mixed in livestock, or reconcile to have big, bad biting fishes in your 55.
Bob Fenner

Another question for the pros (re a fast Picasso Triggerfish)
Good day gentlemen. I trust you all are well.
<<I am well, thanks for asking.>>
I have a quick Picasso Trigger question. I have read articles on your site but cannot seem to find the answer. <<I can try.>>
I have a 37G FOWLR. Crushed shell substrate. Marineland 330 Biowheel. Lots of BioMax media. No Skimmer. I have about 12 Lbs of LR. The sole occupant is a 1 and a half inch Picasso Trigger.
Is it necessary for him to have a tankmate? <<I don't think it is 'necessary' but it wouldn't hurt.>> Does he need company which would add to his well-being? <<I think these fish are capable of being self-entertained. I would make sure there are some small rocks and shells that it can move about and I'm sure it will keep busy.>> I am perfectly happy keeping him alone in my small tank but that's me!! I would like to know how he feels. <<No so easy to do.>> This sounds crazy but do fish get "lonely" I was thinking of a cleaner shrimp of some kind but I read that it could easily become lunch for the trigger. <<Yeah, that won't work... consider perhaps a slightly larger tank before you consider some other tank mates. That trigger will be growing.>>
Thanks, as always, David.
<<Cheers, J -- >>

2 Picasso trigger questions
Good day gentlemen!!!
<What about scholars?>
I just bought a 1 and a half inch Picasso Trigger for my 37G. I have 2 small pieces of LR (suggested by you) to cycle the tank quicker than using no LR. It apparently did it's job as my Nitrite just hit zero. I have no other livestock in the tank (other than a small hermit crab that hitched a ride on the LR). I also have some pieces of porous rock on the bottom.
My 2 questions are as follows. Is crushed shells of various sizes ok to use as substrate? 
<Will do... there are a few considerations (of course)... e.g. not ideal for maximizing biological filtration (likely no biggee). Please read: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marsubstr.htm >
I read somewhere that Triggers prefer sand but it is too late since the shells are in the tank and I would prefer not to make radical changes unless you highly suggest I do.
<Should be fine as is>
Question number 2 is... Do Picasso Triggers prefer calmer or more turbulent water?
<Mmm in this small a system, more than less...>
I bought a 174G/H power head to move water around but I might not use it if I do not need to. I have a Marineland 330 Biowheel filter and lots of extra BioMax. No airstone, No skimmer.
<I'd look into a skimmer... please read over re on WetWebMedia.com... and also a larger system... your trigger is going to need same>
Thanks as always for your invaluable service.
David.
<You're welcome as usual. Bob Fenner>

Re: Picasso Trigger
Just a quick question......we're setting up a 29 gal marine tank......I'd REALLY like to get just one Picasso trigger (they're SOOOOO  cool)....will this tank be big enough for him?
<No my friend. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/triggers/index.htm
and the links to the genus Rhinecanthus triggers beyond. Bob Fenner>

Picasso Aficionado (5/24/04)
Hi! <Steve Allen here> I plan to start a FOWLR system soon in my new home that will be ready next year. In the meantime, I'm doing a little research about Picasso triggers so that I can provide them with the best care that I can give. <Smart>
I have loved Picassos ever since I saw a pic of one many years ago, even before I ventured into marines, and I plan to keep one in the new aquarium. <They're even cooler in the wild. You should try snorkeling in Hawaii.> Could you please tell me what the ideal size aquarium would be for just 1 Picasso - the only inhabitant. I have read about 75 gallons being the minimum, but some say that it's still too small. Would 100 gallons be big enough? <I disagree with 75, having observed this fish in the wild, and owning one myself. A six foot long tank would be the best. (I use a 180) This fish is very active and constantly swimming.>
For filtration, I plan to use a wet/dry filter coupled with a protein skimmer and a refugium. I might also use some kind of mechanical filtration too. Is my choice of filters fine? <Get a top-quality skimmer. Money well-spent.>
Which substrate is more natural to the trigger's home environment? Sand or crushed coral? <Either will do. A thin (1" or so) layer of crushed coral is easy to maintain by vacuuming. A deep sand bed may also work, but could be more difficult to maintain. I use the crushed coral and a remote DSB in a refugium.> Do triggers stir up sand beds? <They have been known to redecorate, including moving impressively large pieces of rock. BTW, there are suitable tankmates for a Picasso. Look into the Snowflake Eel.> Andrew Lee <Hope this helps. Keep up the research.> 

Picasso Trigger
HELLO!
As I know Picasso Trigger needs plenty of room to swim, but would it be ok if I put it in a cube tank as an only inhabitant? Is length of the tank major factor of swimming space or capacity?
Best regards    
Darek
>>>Hey Darek,
  Among the triggers, the genus Rhinecanthus represents some of the slowest growers. If you put a 3" individual in a tank that size, you'll be set. He will not outgrow that tank in your lifetime. :)For one thing they only get to 10" or so in the wild, and in captivity 8 or 9" is more realistic, and it takes years for them to get there.
  When you need figure how appropriate a given tank is, you need to be concerned with real estate more than gallonage. A 12"x12" tank that is 20 feet tall will have quite a bit of volume, but no swimming space for the fish. That's a bit of a silly example, but you get the idea.  
Jim<<<

A Very Small Aquarium, 1.14.05
First of all, a very cool website!  I have a Huma trigger fish and a clownfish (both about 3 inches long) in a 10 gallon salt water tank.  
<Oh my.  You'll need hundreds of gallons to support a trigger, and soon.>
The clown fish is fine, but the Huma trigger has been uncharacteristically hiding and lying down (as they do when they are resting) for most of the day and night.  He gets up to swim every once in awhile, but has reduced his food intake.  Recently, 2 sea urchins in my tank died.  I have done 2 partial water changes since then (but not too close together) and the specific gravity is fine, yet the Huma trigger has not recovered fully.  What else can I do to help him out?
<He needs fresh foods, lots of water movement, and great water quality.  I'd need results from a water test to explain exactly what's causing his stress...But I can tell you that the likelihood of keeping him alive in such a small space is low.>   
The clownfish is fine and it seems strange that the Huma trigger is acting so sick.  His colors are still good, and he has no signs of infection such as white patches, etc.
<Likely water quality.>
Also - a question out of curiosity - I noticed that you often recommend very large aquariums for salt water tanks.  Could this be part of my problem?  I have had this aquarium set up since last March, with no real problems up until now.
<Yes, larger tanks have more water, which help to dissolve pollutants before they can kill your livestock.  I highly recommend a larger tank for both of the fish under your care.  Good luck, Ryan>

Picasso Trigger 7/24/05
Hello Bob.
<M. Maddox tonight - long hair too, but a couple of years younger>
I would like to thank you all for the helpful information that you share.
<You're welcome>
I have a Picasso Trigger in a 38g tank with over 50 lbs. of live rock. This is just a temporary thing until I have the space to accommodate something larger. It was a risky purchase because it's only about an inch long, but I figured it suited the small tank and the price was right. It eats well and often.
<Good, good> How long do you think It can stay in this tank?
<Until it reaches 3" or a little less>
Should I move some of the rock to another tank?
<I would to give it a bit more room>
How long do you think it will take it to reach about 5 or 6 inches?
<1-2 years, depending on how much it's fed>
I don't doubt that the space may affect its temperament, but will it affect overall size or growth?
<Will not affect speed, if it's kept in a tank too small for too long it will artificially stunt the growth that will result in severely reduced lifespan or death>
I plan to eventually put it in a 75g with a lot of live rock. Potential tankmates that I am considering are a Moon Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) and a Harlequin Tuskfish. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance for all of your time.
<You're going to need something larger than a 75.  Consider a 150, as an adult Picasso attains 10", much less the wrasse and the Tuskfish, which will be fine tankmates provided they're housed in a large enough aquarium>
Jeff Crowder
<M. Maddox>