Triggerfish

Scientific Order : Tetraodontiformes

Origin : Indo-Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean

DIfficulty : Mostly Easy

Minimum Size Tank : 100g+

Temperament : Aggressive, Territorial

Temperature : 72 - 82°F

Reef Safe : No

Maximum Size : 9 inches - 3 Feet

Diet : Carnivore

Triggerfish are large, uniquely shaped marine fishes that are very common in the marine aquarium hobby. Their body shapes, coloration and head to size ratio is what sets the triggerfish apart from other marine fishes.

Triggerfish get their name from the way their first two dorsal spines can lock in place along with the corresponding spines at the bottom.

Escaping danger or when sleeping they find a hole in the rock and extend these spines thereby "locking" them in place. It is very difficult to remove a triggerfish once they are locked in. Their family name "balistidea" which is latin for ballista, reflects this feature.

They have huge heads which sometimes is a big as 1/3 their body size. This gives them a rather comical look in the eyes of many.

Triggerfish are larger fish that demand tanks upwards of a hundred gallons for ample room. Expect sizes that range from 9 inches (Picasso Triggerfish) all the way up to lengths nearing 3 feet as is seen in the Titan triggerfish.

Triggerfish are somewhat territorial and aggressive fish. As such, they are really suited for larger fish only marine aquariums with tank mates that can hold their own.

They are all carnivores and more importantly, they are not reef safe.

While the mouth of the triggerfish is somewhat small compared with its body size, they are very strong. Triggerfish specialize in consuming crustaceans and particularly sea urchins.

Their strong mouths have no trouble crushing shell. In a marine aquarium, this means that all shrimp, snails, sea urchins and smaller fish are targets for consumption.

Seeing as they are strictly carnivores, offer them meaty foods like mysis shrimp and krill. They can be trained to accept prepared foods like pellets. An excellent brand for pellets are those produced by New Life Spectrum that offers a very well balanced diet.