Trigger Update and Some New Questions...Stocking/Compatibility - 08/06/06
Hi Crew!
<<Howdy!>>
First, I have some good news to report:  Our blue throat triggers that we wrote about a while back are now in the main tank (for the past two weeks) and seem to be doing really well.
<<Yippee!>>
The fish seem happy and are very active, eat like crazy and don't bother their tank mates.  Yeah!  (Thanks again Eric R. for all of your help!)
<<Hee!  Tis me again! ...and you're very welcome!>>
Now, for the new issue:
<<Okay>>
Long story but it ends like this:  Someone had a reef tank that completely crashed and they were unable to care for the fish (tank was without circulation for almost 24 hours, temp at 92 F, two dead fish in tank which probably raised the ammonia).
<<Only two?>>
So, we rescued the remaining (barely) live fish and put them in our Q-tank to see if they would recover before we could get them new homes.
<<Smart>>
Sad story turns good for most of the fish including two very young Percula clowns, a Juv. Emperor Angel, and a small adult Majestic Angel.  They seem happy and healthy now.  Unfortunately the fish in the worst shape was the Purple Tang which is still not eating after two weeks!  All of the fish are in the same Q-tank, but the
poor Tang just seems to tread water and isn't doing much else.  We have tried all kinds of different food - various flake, frozen, live, Nori (soaked in garlic, or Selcon) but nothing seems to work.
<<Mmm, if this fish doesn't recover/feed it won't be due to your lack of trying>>
At first he was nearly completely faded and just leaned against the side of the tank barely breathing.  Now, his color has improved a great deal and he looks pretty good.  But he’s not active at all.  We really don't want him to die, but know if he doesn't eat soon, he will.  (We’re dropping the temp in the Q-tank from the usual 80F to 78F to slow down his metabolism).  Is there anything you can recommend to get him to eat?
<<I think you've done/are doing all you can...is up to the tang at this point.  Keep offering food daily, optimize water conditions...time will tell>>>>
This story leads me to my next and final issue for today:
We did not plan on adding any more fish after the Blue Throat Triggers, but we have grown attached to these fish and have reconsidered finding them new homes.
<<I see>>
Our friend will put the Majestic and the Purple Tang in their reef, if he makes it, but we’re considering keeping and putting the Percs and the Emperor Angel in our main display tank.  We have no idea what is considered too many fish in a reef aquarium.
<<Highly variable...many factors to consider (system size/filtration, adult fish size, species, environmental considerations/constraints, etc.)
It seems there are so many factors that can make a difference, so we are hoping you can tell us if we are about to go over our capacity in the 7 foot long 260 gal tank:
<<Mmm...I'll give it a go...>>
The current inhabitants are:
Pair of Blue-throat Triggers (Male is approx. 7” and female is 6”)
1 Naso Tang (about 4.5”)
1 Yellow Tang (4”)
1 Blue Hippo Tang (4”)
1 Kole Tang (3.5”)
1 Coral Beauty (3”)
2 Firefish (2” each)
2 Purple Firefish (2.5”)
1 Mandarin (2.5)…but really fat!
2 Tomato Clowns (2.5 and 2”) [moving them to a breeder tank soon]
And:
3 Cleaner shrimp
2 Fire shrimp
Lots of hermits
Emerald crab
Various Corals
3 clams
All fish seem to get along except the Tomato clowns which are really territorial.
<<Indeed...only fish I've ever had "draw blood" was a clown fish>>
We are planning to move them to a 29 gallon breeder tank with live rock and sand and the anemone they host in.
<<Excellent>>
They have been laying eggs regularly and with any luck we can try raising the fry.
<<I'd like to recommend you get a copy of the book by Joyce Wilkerson re (http://www.fishlore.com/clownfishesbook-wilkerson.htm)>>
The main display reef has about 250 pounds of live rock, 40 gallon sump with LR - ASM G3 skimmer - Aqua 25W UV - 3x250W DE Metal Halide/2x80W T5 - CPR Aquafuge – Kalk Reactor - and we are about to add another 20L refugium to the system.
<<...? 20 liters or 20 gallons?>>
Do we have enough room to add the Emperor (knowing the zoos could be at risk).  Would this put us over the capacity?
<<The Naso and Hippo tangs will grow to be big, beefy fish...and the Naso may even outgrow this system in time.  But what you propose could work for a while>>
Would the Emperor bother my other fish?
<<Hmm, coming in last like it is...likely all will be fine>>
Thanks as always for your advice.
<<As always...happy to assist>>
-Pam and Rob
<<Regards, Eric Russell>>

Crosshatch... trigger, Vlamingi tang incomp.  7/9/07
Hey guys, how's it going? Good I hope. So here's my question. I have a 155 bow front established for about 6 yrs. For the last 3 years I have 2 Vlamingi Tangs
<Neat species, but need more room...>
and for about a year I have a male Crosshatch Trigger. They have all gotten along very well. No problems during feedings or any other aggressive behavior. Well yesterday I had the luck of coming across a female Crosshatch, she was smaller than my male so I jumped on the opportunity to get her. Well so far they are getting along perfect, but now the male crosshatch is acting very aggressively towards the one Vlamingi. I can only assume that he is a male, since they are both young there hasn't been any way to tell. My question is, is this normal behavior for a Crosshatch or just one male showing his dominance to another? And do you think it will subside in time?
Thank you.
Jay Uzzalinno
<These more open-water species are indeed territorial... and this is way too small a space psychologically... Maybe adding a couple of "built up" arrangement of rock ("bommies") will alleviate this agonistic behavior for a time... block the line of sight... Pile them well, and high... to the surface if possible; and either start saving for a much larger system, or plan to trade the Tangs in. Bob Fenner>
 

Sargassum trigger comp.; Dog face puffer size – 07/30/07 Hi, sorry for another email, but here goes. I'm looking for some info on a Sargassum Trigger. <Xanthichthys ringens.> A LFS has one and it is a gorgeous fish. I first read the bit on WetWeb about its identity, and then the Compatibility FAQ on triggers. There was one mention of the Sargassum in the compatibility FAQ, most are in regards to undulates, clowns, and Picasso's, which, to my understanding are quite different in temperament. <True. The Sargassum trigger is more similar to the Bluethroat or Gilded Trigger Xanthichthys auromarginatus. Both will reach around 1 foot, but most often stay a little smaller.> In my 200 gallon (72" x 24" x 27") I have a banded cat shark, a passer angel (5"), a yellow tang and a dogface puffer (4"). I've had this puffer for about 4 years, and he is really docile. He has been a 4" fish his entire life, and I wonder if that is his adult length. Hmmm. <Sure it is a dogface puffer aka Arothron nigropunctatus? This one reaches 10 inches in the aquariums and more than a foot in the wild. I have seen other Arothron spp. labeled as dogface, too. However, most are even bigger. Hopefully his diet is varied.> My question is whether or not a Sargassum would be compatible with these fish, and more specifically about a Sargassum's characteristics. <Comparable to other Xanthichthys spp. (using the genus to search for information is worth a try) and in general rather docile (for a trigger) and hardy. Crustaceans, clams and urchins may be eaten (most get along well with them, though), larger fish are usually ignored. Beware all triggers are personalities and may change their mind when becoming adult. Your puffer is another species with a somewhat unpredictable personality and it is hard to say for sure they will get along without trouble long term. Another concern is that the trigger might bite the fins of the shark. If you are lucky, it will work without problems, if not… I would not buy this fish without another system or the option to give it back.> I purchased Axelrod's Marine Atlas (for 6$ on eBay, no less!!), which is a fabulous book but very short in specifics on care, it is much more of an identification book. <Yes.> The other book at the LFS describes the fish as reef safe and much more compatible than other triggers. His jaw structure definitely looks different than a 'typical' trigger like a clown or Picasso. I have not purchased the fish, and maybe I won't at all, but it is certainly tempting and I thought I might ask you guys first. We had the tank under the quinine treatment for ick (still do, actually). The Powder Brown did not make it, unfortunately, but all other fish are doing extremely well, including the shark (and thanks again for the quinine info). I'm going to continue the quinine treatment for the prescribed duration before we think of adding anything. <Good and good luck with your treatment. Be sure to let the system run for a while even after the treatment to see if it worked properly before adding anything.> Thanks again. Thomas. <You are welcome. Marco.> Re: Sargassum trigger comp.; Dog face puffer size follow up – 07/30/07 Marco, <Thomas> Fabulous stuff, thank you very much. Arothron nigropunctatus, in the puffer ID section of WWM, is identical to my puffer. He may be closer to 5", realistically, but has been this length for years now. <Interesting. Stunting and improper diet can probably be excluded due to the large tank you have and the food you offer. I also assume/hope the nitrates are permanently low given the other sensitive fishes. Aside tank size, diet and water quality I cannot think of a factor, which might stop the grow of your specimen. Possibly some issues in its early life before you bought him.> This is the one that bit my finger! Often times when I feed my shark at night, I have to scoop him out of the way. As long as he doesn't think my finger is food, he is docile, likes being rubbed, and eats out of my hand. About 6 months ago I had purchased a tiny Picasso trigger, and the INSTANT I placed him in the tank he attacked the puffer, so he was removed and returned immediately. <Another case of unpredictability. Some Rhinecanthus are quite docile, this specimen not. A similar case cannot be excluded with the Sargassum, but hopefully this time you are more lucky. I guess it will rather be hiding for a while when introduced and not start attacking.> He does receive a varied diet, of cocktail shrimp with Zoë, marine cuisine, krill, and angel formula. He also eats his share of shark formula, unfortunately. <OK, good diet. The dog face puffers I know/knew personally which have grown from 4 inches to almost 1 foot in captivity ate lots of mussels and clams, because they seemed to like it and it abraded their teeth. Could be worth a try in case you haven’t tested yet.> He just has remained this size. I have no idea why. For a while he was in an 80 gallon before the upgrade, but for most of the time he was pretty much the only occupant. Anyway, thanks for the info. We won't be adding the Sargassum trigger for a couple of weeks, while we observe the system to make sure all of the ick was killed with the quinine. Thanks again! Thomas. <You are welcome. Keep up the good work and enjoy. Marco.>

Male Blue Jaw Triggerfish…Wants Female? – 09/08/07
Good morning and thank you as always for your wonderful site.
<<Hi Jeanne…we’re all glad you like it>>
I hope this one is an easy question.
<<Hmm…is there such a thing in this hobby? Easy, maybe…simple, never… But I digress…[grin]>>
I have a small (5") male Xanthichthys auromarginatus (I have had him about 3 months) in my 150 gallon reef tank.
<<Wonderful fish… I kept a male/female pair in a 375g display for a number of years>>
Lots of zoos, leathers, mushrooms, a couple of Crocea clams -only one coral banded shrimp and one large Sally Lightfoot crab and large Purple lobster, because the stupid --and not at all shy, may I add--Blue Hamlet ate all the other shrimp.
<<Mmm, not the fault of the fish…is what a Blue Hamlet does (will happily gobble down small fishes too!)…as research “before purchase” would bear out>>
He is such a sweetheart that I would like to get a female Blue Jaw Trigger.
<<Triggerfishes are quite intelligent and seem to develop distinct personalities…very easy to see how a fish-keeper becomes attached. He may seem “sweet” (do be cautious if hand-feeding), but adding another of the same species, even though female, may not be possible>>
Can she be added at this point without him acting excessively aggressive to her?
<<Probably not…at least not by just “dropping her in” the system. The pair I had were special ordered as such…likely collected as a pair…subsequently quarantined/held together right up to their introduction to the display…and even so, there was the occasional nip-and-chase. If you are willing to go to the trouble… I suggest you set up a holding/quarantine tank of “at least” 29g (bigger the better) with some bits of PVC pipe or fittings large enough for the female to hide in. Place the female in this tank first then add the male and watch closely for a while, and be ready to intervene if necessary. Unless the aggression escalates to the point where one or the other is being damaged, keep the fish here and watch them closely for a few days allowing them to become “familiar’ with one another. Maybe you’ll get lucky and the fish will “pair-up”…but do also be prepared to rescue/return the female>>
He ignores even the smallest fish--Pajama cardinals and the Royal Gramma and Blackcap Basslet, but one of his own kind may provoke a different response.
<<Indeed, this fish is quite compatible with most inverts/other peaceable fishes in my experience…quite “reef friendly” in my opinion. But conspecifics can be a whole different matter…especially so once a fish becomes “established” as yours surely has by now>>
Thank you very much in advance,
Jeanne
<<A pleasure to assist. EricR>>

Need some advice on my fish list for my 150-gallon
Pull The Trigger? (Considering a Triggerfish in Stocking Plan)  11/26/07
Hi there everyone,
<Hey there! Scott F. in today!>
I'm hoping you guys can help me out. I've been reading through the website and I must say I've learned an awful lot.
<Glad to hear that! We have some cool people who work very hard to bring it to you every day!>
I'm going to set up my first saltwater tank and I need some help with my fish list. The tank is 150 gallons and measures 48" long by 24" wide by 30" high. It's going to be a future reef tank lightly stocked with LPS and fish. After doing some reading on Tangs I've decided to stay away from them, as I've learned they really need a six-foot tank to thrive.
<I think that you made a responsible decision!>
Anyway, here are the fish I'm hoping to have: 1 Bluejaw Trigger (Xanthichthys auromarginatus), 2 common Clowns (Amphiprion ocellaris), 1 Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani), 1 Sixline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia), and 1 Coral Beauty Angel (Centropyge bispinosus). What do you think of these fish for this tank? I'd greatly appreciate any feedback and any other fish suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance,
Shannon O'Rourke
<Well, Shannon- I think that you put considerable effort into researching and developing this stocking list! My only reservation (always seems to be one, right?) is the Trigger. Although this species is certainly one of the more "passive" Triggerfish (an oxymoron, huh?), it can display some aggressive tendencies on occasion, and it does have much of the same dental equipment as the more nasty ones! There is potential for this fish to nip or become more aggressive with age. My friend had one that started out as a perfect gentleman, but grew into a holy terror, taking out a few tankmates along the way. On the other hand, I've seen others that were excellent citizens, living for years in community aquariums without incident. It's kind of a dice roll, really. If you are planning on keeping shrimp, I'd say that your odds of ending up with an all-you-can eat shrimp buffet will increase as the Trigger grows! Don't keep 'em with shrimp! Bottom line is that you could include the Trigger in your plan if you're willing to accept the potential risks that the fish poses. Do also keep in mind that this Trigger can hit 8 plus inches in size, and the need for larger quarters as the fish grows must be taken into consideration. Hope this helps! Regards, Scott F.>