New Predator tank I need HELP !

[OrchidMiss]

These are the not the fish for a 30g. That would be a holding tank. If the 55g would be upgrade, still no. You'd still have to upgrade. Could you get away for a few months, sure.. but is that worth it? I'd wait until you have the right setup.

I had a Niger trigger in my 55g for about 2-3 years. Recently he was moved to my 110g, but I already had that tank up and running and aware that he would have to be moved over.
Having done it, I don't recommend it.

 

[OrchidMiss]

Nice fish, they look very happy. Agree to disagree. I will say that since OP has a 80 gallon reef tank, maybe they should look into one of the reef safe species (blue throat, sargassum) instead of trying to keep a big fish in a nano tank.

I have a female blue throat in my 110 and she has stayed very small, she's definitely a slower grower than the Niger.
OP needs to remember that triggers get quite large. Though she's a slow grower, the blue throat will still grow to 9+''.

 

[0MNSH1ZLLC]

Nice fish, they look very happy. Agree to disagree. I will say that since OP has a 80 gallon reef tank, maybe they should look into one of the reef safe species (blue throat, sargassum) instead of trying to keep a big fish in a nano tank.

That is a great suggestion, my Blue Throat has tons of trigger personality and looks awesome.

 

[0MNSH1ZLLC]

I have a female blue throat in my 110 and she has stayed very small, she's definitely a slower grower than the Niger.
OP needs to remember that triggers get quite large. Though she's a slow grower, the blue throat will still grow to 9+''.

Space wise my female blue throat is constantly flying around much more than any of the others.

Knowing what I do know, I wouldn't put it in anything less than a 200 gallon.

It has grown quite a bit also.

 

[OrchidMiss]

Space wise my female blue throat is constantly flying around much more than any of the others.

Knowing what I do know, I wouldn't put it in anything less than a 200 gallon.

It has grown quite a bit also.

He's quite handsome!
You can see here how small my female is compared to my desjardini tang.

 

[0MNSH1ZLLC]

He's quite handsome!
You can see here how small my female is compared to my desjardini tang.

I've been wanting a Desjardini but too still worried about my Sohal, such a beautiful Tang with cool details up close. LFS had a large one recently.

Blue Throats are severely under rated. Very striking, great personality. 100x cooler than my Pink Tail.

 

[OrchidMiss]

I've been wanting a Desjardini but too still worried about my Sohal, such a beautiful Tang with cool details up close. LFS had a large one recently.

Blue Throats are severely under rated. Very striking, great personality. 100x cooler than my Pink Tail.

Mine is pretty reserved, but that's bc my tang and Niger are fatties.
However, she'll steal food from both of them.

Jello is definitely the king of the tank though

 

[jda]

Lets don't compare bluethroat to a niger or even to a Huma to a Clown. These are different triggers with different traits. Bluethroat is a Xanthichus trigger which are reef safe and very doclie. Niger in the middle. Huma can be a good tank mate if fed well with plenty or room and places to hide, but they can get downright nasty too. Clown are just nasty where some can keep them somewhat tame by feeding them massive amounts of food. Clown can be a good tank mate and then one day snap and kill everything else in there - the others do not usually do this, although a huma could have the potential.

There are just too many dead fish from the unfinished dreams of kids, teenagers and young adults who never get their larger tank... although none of them have probably wanted to hear it.

 

[OrchidMiss]

@lion king is an excellent source of information about predators.

 

[OrchidMiss]

@i cant think

 

[i cant think]

Hey guys so I know this topic might become controversial but here is or was my plan lol

I want to setup a predator tank , mainly because I’ve always loved the Humu Picasso Trigger and Puffer fish.

So I was planning on setting up a 30 gallon tank with 1 clown trigger , 1 Picasso and 1 Procupine or Dogface puffer

Now I know some of you almost lost it with that last sentence but all 3 fish are about 2- 3 inches in length so they are very tiny, smallest I’ve actually seen at my LFS ever

I know they will grow and I’m prepared to upgrade the tank as they grow I even have the option of doing a saltwater pool for these monsters but…

My question and problem is I want to ease my parents into another tank and that’s the reason for the 30 gallon if not I would start with a 55, I also like the 40 Breeder too but they got no top and I really dislike that look with no top , so do you guys think it’s okay to add those 3 fish in the 30 gallon to start ??? Keep in mind they are on the small side but I am also leaning towards the 55 however I don’t just want to bombard my parents with another tank as I already have a 1000 gallon koi pond and a new Red Sea Reefer 350G2 lol

Even when small, these fish are territorial. To put it straight and not have a long and winded post about ‘oh you can do this but with risks’ or ‘oh yes it’s possible but…’ as I’m sure we all have the same feeling.

You clearly don’t realise the speed at which these fish grow, let alone become downright aggressive. In a 30G tank you will only be able to have 1 of those fish. They will just fight constantly until death if you go for all 3. You also have to put into consideration the fact that not a single one of those fish isn’t a messy eater. The puffers are the messiest and will quickly spike nutrients in a nano. Honestly, if you want what’s best for the fish then wait until you can have a 6’-8’ long tank and get them. But until then you should just leave the fish at the LFS and enjoy them that way.

Go ahead and setup a 30 if your parents allow it but don’t go for aggressive fish that’ll outgrow the tank within a few months. Go for a reef with fish that are suitable for that tank. As said above, go for something like a Wartskin Frogfish if you want a predator. But you should research more into these predator fish before taking the jump, quite a few have care that varies drastically from regular reef fish (especially puffers, frogfish etc).

 

[00W]

The OP's original intent of making people upset by this worked out great. I'm glad that this thread turned civil after all. Had chances of going downhill fast.
This thread upset me very much.
Not to wane philosophical or turn it into a moral issue but we as hobbiests have a responsibility to respect and support all the creatures we put into our tanks.
We as experienced reefers have a responsibility to help new reefers with good advice.
It is a job, and for some like a lot of us, a way of life.
I can't imagine my life without my fish.
Thanks to all who spoke up here in support of our fantastic triggers and to all those providing them with big tanks, lots of food and lots of love.
There's a reason they are called the pet dogs of this hobby.
And it's still a NO from me.

 

[jda]

We as experienced reefers have a responsibility to help new reefers with good advice.

More than helping new reefers, we have to do it for ourselves. If there ever is a time when countries, coalitions of countries, etc. want to ban import of any wild collected things, it is sentiment like these with humans knowing that they cannot keep a fish/coral for long that will drive the argument that no amount of responsible hobbyists will be able to overcome.

 

[littlefoxx]

Hey guys so I know this topic might become controversial but here is or was my plan lol

I want to setup a predator tank , mainly because I’ve always loved the Humu Picasso Trigger and Puffer fish.

So I was planning on setting up a 30 gallon tank with 1 clown trigger , 1 Picasso and 1 Procupine or Dogface puffer

Now I know some of you almost lost it with that last sentence but all 3 fish are about 2- 3 inches in length so they are very tiny, smallest I’ve actually seen at my LFS ever

I know they will grow and I’m prepared to upgrade the tank as they grow I even have the option of doing a saltwater pool for these monsters but…

My question and problem is I want to ease my parents into another tank and that’s the reason for the 30 gallon if not I would start with a 55, I also like the 40 Breeder too but they got no top and I really dislike that look with no top , so do you guys think it’s okay to add those 3 fish in the 30 gallon to start ??? Keep in mind they are on the small side but I am also leaning towards the 55 however I don’t just want to bombard my parents with another tank as I already have a 1000 gallon koi pond and a new Red Sea Reefer 350G2 lol

No no no no those fish cant go in a 30 gallon together, really no if ands or buts. If it were a month or less for a QT period, okay, but this being your tank with a plan to upgrade? Nope bad idea. Youve got active fish that need swimming room. Size doesnt matter with these kinds of fish. 55 is even WAYYY to small

 

[littlefoxx]

I'm not trying to get into a big fish contest with you here BUT I've actually kept a lot of triggers. Yes, I do have what is considered a large tank,

Here is a tale of 3 triggers (that I currently keep)

- Undulated Trigger bought it at 3/4", had it approximately 6+ months and it might be an inch now...,maybe.
- Blue Line Trigger bought it a month ago maybe 2" it is now 3" (he shouldn't buy this fish)
- Humu Trigger bought it at 2", had it approximately 6+ months and it is probably 3 inches now

If he wants one of these fish I am saying the Humu is the best bet in a 30 gal solitary tank. Is it ideal, absolutely not but if he can't upgrade to a 55 in a matter of months/years then he probably won't last in the hobby.

There is a LFS around here that has a massive Lion Fish in a 30 gal, they have been trying to give it away for $130 for the last year. I've seen it do all the things that a "happy" fish is supposed to do. Would I do it? Absolutely not but if he's likely going to do this, I'm suggesting the least harmful option rather than the fun police mandate.

Apologies for the consistently terrible camera work...

Humu is at the bottom of the pic. I can barely ever even see my Undulated in a 230 its that tiny.

You have the undalated?? (However its spelled). I love this trigger and Ive been doing research for how big of a tank I would need for just that trigger as a only fish in the tank idea!! How big is your tank?

 

[0MNSH1ZLLC]

You have the undalated?? (However its spelled). I love this trigger and Ive been doing research for how big of a tank I would need for just that trigger as a only fish in the tank idea!! How big is your tank?

Tank is a 230 gallon Pro Form.

My Undulated is an inch maybe...?

The Undulated grows very slowly and is the 2nd most solitary fish in my tank (Arrowhead Basslet) and spends most of it's time in the rocks.

My apologies for the BLS but it keeps the aggression down, hah.

Seems like a good choice for this type of tank but I'd prefer the Humu.

 

[littlefoxx]

Tank is a 230 gallon Pro Form.

My Undulated is an inch maybe...?

The Undulated grows very slowly and is the 2nd most solitary fish in my tank (Arrowhead Basslet) and spends most of it's time in the rocks.

My apologies for the BLS but it keeps the aggression down, hah.

Seems like a good choice for this type of tank but I'd prefer the Humu.

I would love to have a tank just for that guy some day!!

 

[aquakj]

Thanks for those who gave feedback and constructive criticism, the others, you guys acted like I had killed the fish lol, the purpose of this post was to not make a mistake you guys didn’t have to come at it the way you did, it was for me to get suggestions and learn, I see some of you think you are helpful but in reality you’re not really helping, imagine acting the way you did to a beginner you would overwhelm and make them feel unwelcomed and dumb, luckily I have enough experience and a strong personality so I’m not bothered at all, but i did wanna let you guys know to DO BETTER , I totally understand where you guys are coming from but the way you came it at was was wrongs acted like KARENS , maybe next time you’ll make it a little more fun for others while allowing them to learn

 

[jda]

Stop gaslighting. You came in with a plan that you knew was bad and wanted somebody to talk you into it or tell you that it was OK. Even the 55g that you proposed at the end of your plan is not sufficient for these fish. There was no curiosity or questions here, but there was experience from folks who were in the same spot that indicated that the plan was a bad idea.

If you want to gripe at the responses that you asked for and knew were coming, then at least get the terms right. Karen is somebody who uses their class privilege to demand that they get their own way. First, class has nothing to do with this and most of us have no idea what class that anybody else is. Second, nobody can demand anything in written text on the internet. Third, nobody can get their own way when giving advice in a message board forum.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Thanks for those who gave feedback and constructive criticism, the others, you guys acted like I had killed the fish lol, the purpose of this post was to not make a mistake you guys didn’t have to come at it the way you did, it was for me to get suggestions and learn, I see some of you think you are helpful but in reality you’re not really helping, imagine acting the way you did to a beginner you would overwhelm and make them feel unwelcomed and dumb, luckily I have enough experience and a strong personality so I’m not bothered at all, but i did wanna let you guys know to DO BETTER , I totally understand where you guys are coming from but the way you came it at was was wrongs acted like KARENS , maybe next time you’ll make it a little more fun for others while allowing them to learn

Don't try to act like we're in the wrong here. You could have found all the information you needed with a few short google searches. Instead, you come here and ask a question, ignoring everyone who gave you the answer you weren't looking for. You then complain to the one (1) person who agrees with a small part of your plan that "they just don't get it".

Until you started ignoring us and claiming that we "don't understand", not a single person was acting anything but informative. It's just that the information you got wasn't what you were looking for. There's a big difference. You asked a question and got a bunch of answers, but none of them were what you were hoping to get. How is that being rude on our part? The only rudeness I see here is you calling us "Karens" for disagreeing with your poorly though out plan.

I suggest that you start paying attention to what those with experience say. It'll make life easier for you, and you won't need to find out the hard way that what you're doing isn't a good idea.