Rhinecanthus Triggerfish in a reef tank/experience/is it possible??

[JadeM]

hi,
i currently own a soft coral only reef tank, with inverts, nems, shrimp, crabs, snail etc. Along with eels, large wrasse, large species of hawk-fish along with other common reef fish. They leave the CBS, crabs, snails alone, however the inverts have mastered the art of coming out at night and escape being the fishes snack. I'm interested in owning a Picasso or wedge-tail trigger fish. pics below. And was wondering if anyone has had experience owning this species/ in a reef tank/FOWLR. Thanks

 

[JadeM]

anyone kept them with coals??

 

[Ubergroover]

Dont know if this is true, but I have heard a triggers teeth grow fast so they are always looking to chew stuff to grind them down.. Love to have one also...

 

[eatbreakfast]

The inverts will eventually all be eaten.

There may be exploratory bites taken out of the coral, and some corals and small rocks may be flipped by them.

 

[lion king]

I wouldn't recommend it, any success will be short lived.

 

[JadeM]

Dont know if this is true, but I have heard a triggers teeth grow fast so they are always looking to chew stuff to grind them down.. Love to have one also...

Yes im aware of that. I diet of scallops. Clam. Skrimp and other hard bodied crustasions should keep teeth growth in check aswell as healthy.

The inverts will eventually all be eaten.

There may be exploratory bites taken out of the coral, and some corals and small rocks may be flipped by them.

I am prepared for inverts to be snacked on and was prior adding in my now current stock.

I have heard they like to taste and explore their tank with their mouths...i will have to encase a circulation pump wire with a small pvc if stories of them chewing throught wires is true.... however the rocks in my tank are either too large for a fish too pick up with a mouth...glued down...or covered in soft coral. I am willingly to take a gamble on coral. Im hoping they will be left alone like my lemonpeel angel luckly did. I only have soft corals few zoas. Mostly leather, toadstool , sinulara type species.

I wouldn't recommend it, any success will be short lived.

Most triggers and angelfish are hit or miss and i will try and source a small specimen and try "raise" it with coral and a food source other than coral before it becomes larger and more risky with inverts

Thanks for the replys everyone. I appreciate it

 

[lion king]

When I say "short lived", I don't mean "hit or miss". Eventually he will start chewing up your corals, either to taste or just for fun. You could get a small under 2" juvi and you will brag how he is a "model citizen". Then you will start to see damage around and wonder what is happening as you see bits of a brain coral or euphylia floating by. I cracked up as I warned a friend about a clown trigger, took about 2 years and when that fish went on a rampage; it cost about $1000 before he got him out.

 

[JadeM]

When I say "short lived", I don't mean "hit or miss". Eventually he will start chewing up your corals, either to taste or just for fun. You could get a small under 2" juvi and you will brag how he is a "model citizen". Then you will start to see damage around and wonder what is happening as you see bits of a brain coral or euphylia floating by. I cracked up as I warned a friend about a clown trigger, took about 2 years and when that fish went on a rampage; it cost about $1000 before he got him out.

oh sorry, my bad. I might not get one then, though i don't have any stony corals, only soft. Geese what a loss for him

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have found soft corals fare better with triggers than other corals. However, Tetradonts can vary greatly within a species in how aggressive or how destructive they may be.

 

[JadeM]

I have found soft corals fare better with triggers than other corals. However, Tetradonts can vary greatly within a species in how aggressive or how destructive they may be.

thankyou for the information . I do agree that each fishes behaviour and personality will vary and will keep that in mind, thankyou