Baby Undulated Triggerfish

HildebrandRarity · Nov 17, 2020

Good evening everyone, hope all is well! I just received a very tiny baby undulated triggerfish in the mail and have him in a small quarantine tank, after him spending a few days in the quarantine and pending approval of health I want to move him to my bigger tank with my large angelfish and large anthias. I have research this is the most aggressive fish in the hobby but wow he is so beautiful lol. I figure since he is so tiny I can try to see how they get along since I have such a large tank and the other 2 fish are thriving and healthy. Curious to know if any of you guys have had baby triggerfish with other fish hand how they got along? let me now thanks!

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Nov 17, 2020

Don’t know, but pics please!

sixline · Nov 17, 2020

I've not had baby triggerfish but I've had lots of triggerfish, including undulated. There is a lot of variation among individuals within the species, but they're often not as mean as reputed for the most part if given enough space. They are also very slow growing.

How big is the little guy? Dime, penny, nickel, quarter? Any pics?

TriggerFinger · Nov 17, 2020

Pics pics pics!!

Soren · Nov 17, 2020

HildebrandRarity said:
Good evening everyone, hope all is well! I just received a very tiny baby undulated triggerfish in the mail and have him in a small quarantine tank, after him spending a few days in the quarantine and pending approval of health I want to move him to my bigger tank with my large angelfish and large anthias. I have research this is the most aggressive fish in the hobby but wow he is so beautiful lol. I figure since he is so tiny I can try to see how they get along since I have such a large tank and the other 2 fish are thriving and healthy. Curious to know if any of you guys have had baby triggerfish with other fish hand how they got along? let me now thanks!

I have a 3" long undulated triggerfish in my 75-gallon FOWLR I acquired mid-September. The previous owner stocked the tank, so I am not sure how old any of the fish are (owner said he had them a year or two). Other fish include a 3" Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), a 3" rectangle triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus), a 2-1/2" green reef chromis (Chromis viridis), a 4" purple tang (Zebrasoma xanthurus), and a 12" snowflake eel (Echidna nebulosa).

So far, the undulated triggerfish is the shyest fish and hides out most of the time, though he has gotten a bit more bold recently. The fishes seem to get along for the most part, though the triggers all snap at each other a bit from time to time.

I do not plan to include the triggerfish in my 90-gallon reef that I am planning right now, though some may end up in a mangrove tank tied into the system. I am concerned with keeping the undulated triggerfish after reading the same that they are one of the most aggressive fish, but it is certainly beautiful, especially since mine has orange and cyan-blue stripes that I like.

HildebrandRarity · Nov 17, 2020

Here is a picture as a few of you guys requested

HildebrandRarity · Nov 17, 2020

kingoftheHiLLpeople said:
Don’t know, but pics please!

sixline said:
I've not had baby triggerfish but I've had lots of triggerfish, including undulated. There is a lot of variation among individuals within the species, but they're often not as mean as reputed for the most part if given enough space. They are also very slow growing.

How big is the little guy? Dime, penny, nickel, quarter? Any pics?

I would say a littler larger than a quarter, just posted a pic

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Nov 17, 2020

I love baby triggers!

lion king · Nov 17, 2020

At about 5" he will try and kill most everything in your tank. If you have a 500g with other aggressive fish you have a chance; otherwise, it's just a matter of time. My 1st tank 30 years ago started with an undulated trigger, he went on to live in a 1000g tank at a local bar and became a crowd favorite.

Thomashtom · Nov 17, 2020

Here is baby clown trigger! Had him since he was about an inch! Now 3 ! Already boisterous!! Lol. Letting him grow out before I put him in 500 gallon. Undulated will need a very large tank like Lion king said or expect dead fish.

HildebrandRarity · Nov 17, 2020

Thomashtom said:
Here is baby clown trigger! Had him since he was about an inch! Now 3 ! Already boisterous!! Lol. Letting him grow out before I put him in 500 gallon. Undulated will need a very large tank like Lion king said or expect dead fish.

How does he get along with the emperor? I have a Koran Angel around the same size

vetteguy53081 · Nov 17, 2020

Undulated is a very nasty trigger and will literally tear skin from your finger.
Being a tiny baby- you may be a good risk and just keep an eye on it. When you start to see evidence of fin nipping- you have decisions to make. They dont grow very fast so you have plenty of time.

Thomashtom · Nov 17, 2020

HildebrandRarity said:
How does he get along with the emperor? I have a Koran Angel around the same size

They squabble was nice in a while but an emp is one of the toughest angels so he thwarts his aggression. Not sure about temperament of Koran?

JCTReefer · Nov 17, 2020

Thomashtom said:
Here is baby clown trigger! Had him since he was about an inch! Now 3 ! Already boisterous!! Lol. Letting him grow out before I put him in 500 gallon. Undulated will need a very large tank like Lion king said or expect dead fish.

My favorite of all Triggers!!!!!!