Triggerfish has become unsocial and not eating... sys. /env.    5/2/08
Hi Crew,
I've read some of your answers to other problems (and i am definitely looking here first for all my fish info!) but unfortunately I haven't quite got the answer that I'm need for this situation...
I have a 50-gal tank and all the levels are good. and there are many rocks, plants, and hiding places. I currently have 5 fish living in this tank, two 4-stripe damselfish, a blue devil damselfish, a 3 1/2 inch lunar wrasse, and a 3 inch rectangular trigger fish.
<The last two need more room than this...>
The wrasse is the newbie in the tank and he is doing really well. but before we got him, trigger was king of this tank and for the first couple days that the wrasse was introduced, the trigger would get very protective of his side of the tank and would chase him all over. and then they co-existed peacefully for about a week but for the last 4 days or so trigger has been MIA... he is hiding all the time and not been coming out to eat the frozen pieces of krill that he loves.
<Not good for a standard diet>
the wrasse doesn't bug the damsels at all, he just likes to swim all over. but the times that i do see trigger (when the tank light is off but the overhead light in the room is on and the fish are "sleeping") i can see glimpses of trigger
moving to where he sleeps. at this i see an opportunity to feed him, but as soon as he sees me he goes back into hiding. I'm afraid that he is going to starve. should i take the wrasse out?
<Perhaps>
i have another 10-gal tank that has 2 ocellaris clown fish and a scooter blenny in it
<... also need more room>
but i think that tank would be too small and he would be unhappy. the other solution i thought of was to sell back the wrasse the fish store but that also doesn't grantee that trigger will go back to normal, plus I enjoy watching the wrasse 'fly' throughout the tank. i hope this is enough info and any help would be greatly appreciated!
-Jamie-
<Well... you seem to be aware of your options. Going forward, I'd either get much larger tanks, or investigate the psychological needs of the livestock you intend to keep... These systems are too crowded. Bob Fenner>