Any trigger fish that actually eats corals?

HB AL · Oct 17, 2018

I added a Clown trigger to my mixed reef tank a little over a week ago and have not noticed it munching on any type of coral or my 2 clams. I already had a Sargassum and bluethroat and they act the same. So I’m wondering from anyone with 1st hand experience if there is a trigger that actually eats any type of coral on a regular basis.

tdileo · Oct 17, 2018

They have a non reef safe title more because they eat inverts. I’ve heard of them nipping at hard corals, but that seems uncommon and very little damage done.

FartyParty · Oct 17, 2018

Stop feeding for a week and see if it starts eating hard coral.

HB AL · Jun 8, 2020

FartyParty said:
Stop feeding for a week and see if it starts eating hard coral.

Well ya that would probably cause it to search for a food source but who doesnt feed there fish for a week. Just for an update the Clown trigger is still doing great, have an Assasi and Blueline, along with the Sargassum I added when I got rid of the blue throat. And I can confirm they dont eat corals of any kind.

TriggerFinger · Jun 8, 2020

Darn it you @HB AL you’re going to be the reason I think I can put a 1.5” Niger trigger in my 90g. Statistically, it won’t work long term but your triggers aren’t “supposed” to either and look how great they have been!! Have you had a niger in this tank at all? Or any other tanks?

GeoSquid · Jun 8, 2020

I have a Niger and Picasso and they don't really eat coral. The picasso tasted a few things when I first put him in but didn't seem to eat them. If I put in any small frags of soft coral he will pick them off the plug never to bee seen again. I don't think he eats them, but not totally sure. I buy bigger frags and he won't touch them. Cleanup crew is not an option though.

HB AL · Jun 8, 2020

TriggerFinger said:
Darn it you @HB AL you’re going to be the reason I think I can put a 1.5” Niger trigger in my 90g. Statistically, it won’t work long term but your triggers aren’t “supposed” to either and look how great they have been!! Have you had a niger in this tank at all? Or any other tanks?

Yes for around 6 months but he went postal one day and started attacking my tangs so I pulled him out. He did not bother the corals at all though.

TriggerFinger · Jun 8, 2020

Thank you. I’ll remember this every time I see a tiny one I think will “be fine for a while”. Perfect answer!!

gfd71 · Jun 8, 2020

I love the triggers too and would love to add one I’m more worried about my shrimp than I am corals though

HB AL · Jun 8, 2020

I Niger wont is a type of trigger which will stop growing up to a certain size according to your size tank. Not just triggers but all other types of fish also stop growing according to tank size, groupers for example do not they just keep growing. I do things different from what the masses preach as you can tell and it's worked for me for the last 35+ years, my only thing I really believe in is having as much live rock as possible I think it makes a huge difference in fish survival and corals. If my tank was not in my bedroom and not having a basement I would have a big tank plugged in to my current tank stuffed with live rock. Also having lots of live rock in your display tank makes the fish happy having all the different caves etc... which helps in having healthy happy fish.