Featured
Sponsor

 

 

 

FAQs about Xanthichthys Triggerfishes, Behavior

Related FAQs: Xanthichthys Triggers 1, Xanthichthys Triggers 2, & FAQs on Xanthichthys Identification, Xanthichthys Compatibility, Xanthichthys Selection, Xanthichthys Systems, Xanthichthys Feeding, Xanthichthys Disease, Xanthichthys Reproduction, & Triggerfishes in General, Triggerfish: Identification, Selection, Selection 2, Compatibility, Behavior, Systems, Feeding, Diseases, Triggerfish Health 2Reproduction,

Related Articles: Xanthichthys TriggersTriggerfish, Red Sea Triggerfishes

 

Funny Trigger Story - 09/23/06
I just moved my three-inch male Blue Throat Trigger from quarantine to the display tank 24 hours ago, and he has remained hidden in a nook in the rockwork of my 90 gallon tank ever since.
<<Not unusual...can be rather shy/timid as triggers go>>
I’m not worried about him.  He acted the same way in quarantine for the first three or four days only to come out and be friendly for the following month.
<<Indeed>>
I have two RBTA (a recent split), a B/W Ocellaris Clown pair, a Twin-spot Hogfish and a small Wheeler’s shrimp goby that hasn’t found his pistol shrimp yet.  I have probably twenty snails, two large cleaner shrimp, one hermit crab and one small porcelain crab that came with some live rock, all running well and getting along for the past seven or eight months.
<<Excellent>>
Anyway, the trigger has taken up residence in the same cave as the porcelain crab.
<<The porcelain crab hasn't taken up residence in one of the anemones?>>
Now here is the odd thing.  The crab, which can’t even be an inch long, seems to be trying to bully the trigger out of its hiding spot.
<<Amazing creatures we keep, eh!>>
They seem to have come to an arrangement and aren’t bothering each other at the moment.
<<Ah, yes...and will likely cohabitate just fine>>
I just thought y’all would like to hear about a tiny crab picking on a trigger that is probably twenty times his size.  Thanks y’all for the wonderful work you do.  My fish and I owe you for all of your great advice.
Jonathan
<<Were pleased to be of service...and thank you for sharing.  EricR>>

Questionable Aquarium Service...Trying To Do What's Needed - 09/22/06
Dear Wet Web Crew,
<<Hello>>
My employer has a beautiful 200-gallon salt-water tank, and has a tank service that comes in and cares for this tank.
<<Ok>>
I have a serious lack of confidence in this company because I did a little research on your site and they have made many really bad mistakes.
<<Some do yes, but doesn't mean this one is "bad".  Have you been able to talk to other/previous customers of this company?  Have they done anything to make you feel uncomfortable with their level of service?>>
First, they got the chemicals wrong in the tank, which killed most of the fish.
<<Ahh...I see...sounds like you may have good reason for your concerns...>>
Then, when they replaced the fish, they brought us 5 crabs, a blue-throat Triggerfish, 3 assorted angelfish
<<Mmm...>>
(in separate bags. NOT introduced at the same time), and a pair of ocellaris (among others).  Of course, the Trigger ate the crabs
immediately.  I am an administrative assistant with little/no knowledge of fish, and have been tasked with taking care of their diet, and making sure they get what they need.
<<Sounds like you need to start doing some reading/researching my friend.  Google searches on our site and the NET re the species names will yield much information>>
So I need a little advice from professionals that actually care about the fish.  After the initial eating of the crabs, and the disappearance of one of the smaller Angelfish (which after reading on your site I found out why <<...?>>), the blue-throat trigger has started exhibiting odd behavior.  He lies down at the bottom of the tank on his right side, and just lays very still for long periods on time.
<<Maybe not all that "odd" after all.  Is there live rock in this tank? (should be if there isn't)...Does this tank have any type of decor/rock work?  These triggers will very often "rest" in a hole or crevice in the reef during the day, and definitely at night.  If the tank is not suitably aquascaped the trigger may be merely "resting" on the bottom of the tank>>
He is still eating well (They get frozen shrimp, the cubed kind once a day, and Formula 2 the blue-green algae variety flakes twice daily).
<<Do look in to obtaining some New Life Spectrum Marine pellets and a frozen "Angel" food formulated specifically for their care.  Feed these AND the frozen shrimp, with the flakes, twice daily>>
His color has faded a bit, but he doesn't have any spot or slime on him, and he hasn't rearranged the tank in a while- he used to do that all the time.  I read one of your entries about one having similar behavior in a 20 gallon tank, and you said the tank was too small but I don't think that is the case here- the tank is
200 gallons.
<<Agreed...but that doesn't mean there aren't more/other environmental factors at play here...such as water chemistry or the "design" of the tank itself>>
Could he be malnourished or ill?
<<Maybe...the trigger needs several small feedings of meaty foods daily.  The Spectrum pelleted food and the frozen shrimp fed at least twice a day will help.  For even better nourishment of ALL the fish, consider getting/soaking the food in Selcon and/or Vita-Chem a couple times a week>>
And is there some product or variety of food I should tell my boss to get for him?
<<Ah yes!...as explained>>
Cordially,
Jane
<<I want to help Jane, do write back if you need further clarification on anything...and try to give me as much information about the system as you can (filtration/maintenance/aquascaping (or lack of), etc.).  Regards, Eric Russell>>

Re: Questionable Aquarium Service...Trying To Do What's Needed – 10/11/06
Dear Eric,
<<Hello Jane>>
I just wanted to thank you for your excellent advice.
<<Was my pleasure to provide>>
It has been about two weeks since you emailed me with the suggestions.  We invested in New Life Spectrum Marine Pellets, and we also purchased a lot more coral decorations to go on the live rock.
<<This pelleted food is an excellent staple for your fish>>
We hired a company to change out the coral and clean the tank/maintain the filtration system every two weeks.
<<Excellent...but I do hope you/someone “monitors’ the tank on a daily basis>>
They have been instructed to bring in lots of smaller shells and other such toys for the occupants.
<<Mmm...do be careful not to create detritus traps>>
Our Bluethroat Triggerfish has perked up considerably; I think he may have been suffering from boredom.
<<Indeed...these are intelligent and personable fish...and somewhat “shy” at times.  It’s never good to place fish in a “plain glass box” devoid of proper structure/hiding places...is very stressful>>
All the fish seem to be a little brighter and a lot more active.
<<Good signs>>
Thanks again for your excellent advice and support.
<<I’m glad it proved useful...thank you for the follow-up>>
Peace and Blessings,
Jane
<<Regards, EricR>>
Crosshatch Trigger fading? 9/26/07
What's up guys and gals? Just wanted to drop a line regarding the crosshatch trigger. I'm interested in this fish for an upcoming 10 foot long reef tank I am planning. However, I had planned on keeping a pair, but I feel that they would be lacking space, so to my question, does a male crosshatch trigger's color fade if he is not in the presence of a female?
<Not much, but some, yes>
From every personal documentation of crosshatch triggers in home aquariums I've read that pairs never exhibit any courting or interactions other than just merely putting up with each other's presence. If this is the case, I might just get a male.
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Nick
<Or even a small school if there's room... Xanthichthys spp. live in shoals in the wild. Bob Fenner>

Re: Crosshatch Trigger fading?  9/27/07
Thank you for the reply Mr. Fenner! Just a quick follow up, if I were to do multiple crosshatches, would it need to be set up as a harem or would multiple males get along together? Not sure if I'd go this route, but I'm curious.
Thanks again!
<A mix of sexes would be fine to excellent here... Just try to find/start them small-ish... four-five inches if possible. Have seen X. mento in very large aggregations in the wild... BobF>

 


 

 

 

 

 

Featured Sponsors:
Google
 
Web www.WetWebMedia.com

Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More