Related FAQs: Xanthichthys Triggers 1, Xanthichthys Triggers 2, & FAQs on Xanthichthys Identification, Xanthichthys Behavior, 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 2, Reproduction,

Related Articles: Xanthichthys Triggers,  Triggerfish, Red Sea Triggerfishes, 

Blue cheeked Trigger Fish in a Reef Tank?  6/5/06
Hello Crew,
<<Hello Bob>>
I'd just like to get your opinion of Blue Cheeked Trigger fish, (Xanthichthys auromarginatus ), in reef tanks.
<<Absolutely worthwhile...if you have the space>>
I have heard much recently of the suitability of these fish to reef set ups due to their planktonic diet, but they are trigger fish after all and those shrimps look so tasty!
<<Ha!...indeed.  There's always the possibility of trouble, but I've kept this species in my reef for more than a year now without incident (I have shrimp and snails but no hermits), and would heartily recommend you give them a try.  I think the biggest danger would be if you tried to introduce more shrimp after the trigger is in the tank...would have to be introduced very carefully, not just "dropped" in to the tank>>
My set up is 340 litre.
<<Mmm, marginal...should be "OK" for a time, but would like to see it in a larger system for the long term>>
Stock includes leather and mushroom corals.  1 cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis).  Red- and blue-legged hermits.  Turbo snails.
Fish list;
2 x Amphiprion ocellaris
1 x Ecsenius midas
2 x Pomacentrus alleni
1 x Neocirrhites armatus
1 x Centropyge bicolor
1 x Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
1 x Gramma loreto
1 x Ctenochaetus strigosus
Thank you for your time and expertise!
Bob Mehen
<<A pleasure to assist, Eric Russell>>

Re: Blue Throat Triggers in a Reef? - 07/18/06
Hi again you guys!
<<Hello Pam!>>
So, I took your advice (Eric) and I purchased two Blue Throat Triggers (BTT's) directly from Hawaii a few weeks ago.
<<Ahh, Excellent!>>
They arrived a lot larger than we would have hoped, but they are beautiful (especially him, but don't tell her!).
<<Indeed...wonderful fish>>
They looked very healthy but apparently came to me very stressed.
<<Hmm...possibly handled poorly>>
We weren't sure they were going to make it through the acclimation process (the male was particularly stressed, bobbing head down in the tank and floating almost completely upside down, it wasn't pretty).
<<Yikes!>>
Thankfully they did survive and once we got them eating a whole week later, they seem great!
<<Yay!>>
It was very difficult to get them to eat.  We tried everything from a homemade fish food recipe all our other fish love, to live Brine shrimp, frozen Mysis, krill, squid, and the list goes on.
<<I'm surprised by this, I must say>>
We tried to feed them for a full week to no avail......finally a fellow hobbyist (from Wamus) told us about this frozen freshwater Mysis from Canada.
<<Yes, PE Mysis...an excellent food>>
He brought some over that night and we couldn't believe it...they inhaled the Mysis!
<<Very good>>
I tried two other brands they did not touch before that!
<<Try them now...>>
Needless to say, I can't seem to feed them often enough-they love this high protein stuff!
<<Be careful...several "small" feedings per day.  Also, wouldn't hurt to soak these in Selcon (or similar) a couple times a week>>
It is made by Piscine Energetic (FYI).   For the past three weeks these BT are feeding well, and looking terrific (until yesterday).
<<Ruht-Roh>>
We were planning on putting them in the main population since we just did our water change in the main tank and my Q-tank is small for them.  We noticed some spots on the fins (especially on the male).  We have been doing very regular water changes in the Q (a few times a week) using water from the main tank and keeping a very close eye on pH and ammonia.  No issues.  We did lose power a few times about a week ago, but they had a battery air stone in there the whole time (maybe it was stressful, but they seemed fine and the temp didn't change.  They are acting normal and look healthy so I don't know what to do about this (action or ignore).
I don't think this is Ick because it doesn't look like salt and they aren't scratching against the live rocks or anything.  Luckily I am not a disease or parasite expert since that has not been a problem in my tank and I have a UV filter on the main tank.  This looks like faded white spots on one of the tips (not near the gills) of the male's fins and her lower fin (under her belly).  I am afraid to treat what I don't know and I am also afraid to do a freshwater dip or anything that could stress these fish we have worked so hard to keep acclimated and stress free.  Does this sound like something that will treat itself?  Should I be worried?  Do you know what this is?
<<Is smart of you not to panic/treat until you have confirmed the need to do so.  These spots are normal/natural markings...nothing to worry about.  At first glance they do appear very much like parasites, but careful observation will reveal they are indeed markings on the fins>>
I have put some Kent Garlic Xtreme in the Mysis when I feed the past two times-any other ideas?
<<I don't think you need be concerned...you can continue occasionally with the garlic additive if you wish, it may serve as a preventive measure towards internal parasites.  You might also try it with the other foods as an enticement>>
Long story short (I know, too late).....I am so happy you helped convince me to get them.
<<It pleases me greatly to hear this>>
I can't wait to see them happy and swimming in the main tank.  It was difficult to get them acclimated and they have had some stress, but all in all seem to be very happy and don't even stress during water changes anymore!
<<They will much appreciate a cave/crevice in which to hide/sleep...though they probably won't inhabit the same one>>
It's been three weeks and I would like to take them out of the QT this week but need to know if these  barely visible spots are dangerous or if they will harm my other fish.  And what I should do if anything.  I can't send a picture-it doesn't show up.
<<No worries my friend.  I believe all will be/is fine>>
Sorry to only write when I have a problem....but you always seem to save the day.
<<Hee!  High praise indeed!>>
Thanks!
Pam
<<Very welcome, do keep me posted on the pairs' progress.  Regards, Eric Russell>>

Blue Throat Triggers in a Reef? III - 07/18/06
Thanks again Eric-my hero!
<<I'm blushing, or maybe just beaming! <grin>... You're very welcome>>
I will keep an eye on them but feel much better now!  I will try other foods again with the garlic as you recommended.
<<Ah yes, and the Selcon/a vitamin product too>>
Thanks for the very quick reply and taking the time.  You guys really are a terrific resource and I appreciate that.
<<The guys and gals here are pleased to do what we can>>
Have a great day,
Pam
<<And you my friend.  EricR>>

Adding another fish, Blue-jaw Triggers (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)  2/7/07
<Mich here again!>
Thanks again for a timely reply.
<Welcome!>
You guys are great.
<We try.>
If I do end up adding the trigger, can I add anymore small fish, and if yes, what would be your choices?
<I would proceed slowly here.  Take one thing at a time.  Add the trigger and see what happens.  You don't want to push your filtration or  psychologically crowd the tank.  With any possible future additions I would be thinking about where the fish tends to spend its' time, i.e. is it a swimmer, a bottom dweller, a percher etc., behavior type issues.  Look at the typically behaviors of the other fish in your system and think about where a small fish might fit in.  Don't forget about compatibility issues here also.  You don't want to provide live food in this instance!  Patience here my friend.
-Mich>  

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.>