XanthTrigReproF

FAQs about Xanthichthys Triggerfishes, Reproduction

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

Triggerfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Mating of the Sargassum and Crosshatch Trigger 10/2/06 We Have a Sargassum Trigger (Which we thought to have been a male because of the red tail.) The past week our Crosshatch has been acting strange, digging out sand from the bottom of the tank and losing all of his colors for about 2-5 minutes then getting it back. Today we noticed that the Sargassum's lower stomach is huge and the opening which I believe are where the eggs come out is dilated (white around it like tearing). Is there a possibility that the Sargassum that we thought was a male is pregnant and actually a female. <Yes> Can't find out much information on the Sargassum sex or how long they carry their eggs. Please Help Penny <Need to visit a large/College library for such information (if it exists!): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/litsrchart.htm Does read like spawning behavior... Bob Fenner>

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>>

Xanthichthys auromarginatus, repro. 4/25/08 Hello and good morning. I have been searching for info regarding breeding habits of Xanthichthys auromarginatus. All I have found so far is nothing. Could you point me in the direction of anything that discusses their breeding habits, be it in the wild or captivity. Thank you very much, Mike Nance a.k.a. Reefmike - DFWMAS <Hi Mike... don't know that there is much to state re the genus reproductive behavior (some spawn in deep water...), most are bentho-pelagic... live in the upper/mid water column in deep/er water... Have seen this species making spawning nests, though... in Hawai'i... So I suspect it is a/the usual balistid pattern of male nest building, attracting females, poly-mating, guarding the eggs... till hatch out... Bob Fenner>
Re: Xanthichthys auromarginatus, repro. 4/26/08 Thank you very much for the reply. It is greatly appreciated! Could you describe the nest building that you saw (materials, location, etc.)? <... sandy bottom, about 40-60 feet in general... individual males digging a smoothed out pan/area of a couple feet diameter, swimming up/down apparently trying to attract females> If you decided to attempt breeding a pair what would you do as far as set-up (tank size, substrate, rock, etc.)? <The larger the better... hundreds of gallons... some mixed rock, sand areas... not too many other species of fishes mixed in...> Sincerest thanks, Mike Nance a.k.a. Reefmike - DFWMAS <BobF>

Re: Xanthichthys auromarginatus, visiting HI 4/28/08 Again thank you very much for the replies. I know y'all are very busy and I am very appreciative that you take the time to answer sooooo many questions. I can't even imagine the amount of email you must get on a daily basis. <A handful... though all could be...> Anyway, back to the subject. I have been told (and read) that they can be kept in a harem (1 male, 2 or 3 females). What are your thoughts on this? <Can... need a very large setting... several hundred gallons... Likely very worthwhile for you to get/come out and observe this species in the wild... lives in a sort of Lek territory... of a few hundred to thousand cubic feet... not really in "pairs" or permanent associations of any sort... do "run off" same and alternate sex individuals...> I'm planning on starting with juveniles. 1 male and 3 females. I'm going to grow them out in a 100g then move them to at least a 240g as they reach adult size. <Will need more room than this> I'm thinking just them with no other fish in the tank though I wonder if they might not be more "comfortable" with a school of "dither" fish such as chromis. Your thoughts? Thank you and have a spectacular day! Mike Nance a.k.a. Reefmike - DFWMAS <Come out and visit with us in Hawaii... we have some properties on the Big Island/Kona... Observe the other life, habitat... will grant you real input. Bob Fenner>

Triggerfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner