Trigger Fish

Ardee · Mar 4, 2016

I am starting a 120 gallon reef tank. Although I am looking to have minimal corals.

Why is there such mixed feelings on having a trigger or 2 in this size tank? Mine is 48x24x24.

Would they not do well? And also, if you buy them smaller it takes a while for them to grow to a full adult size, correct?

I am new to this hobby and all advice is much appreciated

sawdonkey · Mar 4, 2016

I think some triggers would be perfectly fine. Picassos for example, don't get that big.

jdl513 · Mar 4, 2016

Keep in mind many trigger species are very aggressive. Niger triggers are generally better behaved but no guarantees.

redfishbluefish · Mar 4, 2016

For the most part corals and triggers don't go together. The reef safest trigger that I'm aware of is the Blue Throat.......Also one of the smaller triggers. I think Niger and Picasso are too big for a 120.

Joshky · Mar 4, 2016

I'll probably need to rehome it eventually, it depends on the growth rate, but I have a pinktail in my tank that has been a model citizen for 5 months so far. Small fish, shrimp, snails, crabs, corals etc., no issues.

jdl513 · Mar 4, 2016

Forgot about the blue throat. That would be the better choice!

Ardee · Mar 4, 2016

I love hearing about this. One more question,

In a 120 gallon tank how many bigger fish can/should you keep?

eatbreakfast · Mar 5, 2016

Crosshatch, blue throat, and pink tail aare some of the 'safer' species. Niger triggers are safer too, but get surprisingly large. While many of the other triggers aren't coral eaters per se, they do have powerful jaws, are curious, and 'bite' to explore their surroundings.

Ardee · Mar 5, 2016

So...would you feel comfortable putting 2 small pink tails in a 120 tank and let them grow into?

How many bigger fish can a 120 hold of you don't stock but 10 or so fish?

sawdonkey · Mar 5, 2016

Ardee said:
So...would you feel comfortable putting 2 small pink tails in a 120 tank and let them grow into?

How many bigger fish can a 120 hold of you don't stock but 10 or so fish?

Ten "bigger" fish is likely really pushing it in a 120. I have a 220 with only eight bigger fish (triggers, Angels, tangs) and I feel like I could only add a couple of smaller fish.

Picassos, in my experience, don't get that big. I've had mine for 13 years and he's probably only four inches (but really thick). My Niger on the other hand, is about 7-8 years old and continues to get huge. They have very different personalities. The Picasso is very mean to new fish, but usually lets up after a couple of days. The Niger is fine to other fish, but bites my hand every chance he gets (and draws blood too).

As for corals, neither of them bother corals except for spitting gravel on them. They might bite a new coral to explore what it is, but won't actually eat it.

All that said, triggers are by far my favorite fish!

redfishbluefish · Mar 5, 2016

Ardee said:
So...would you feel comfortable putting 2 small pink tails in a 120 tank and let them grow into?......

NO! You're looking at a fish that will grow to longer than a foot....and you want to put two in a four foot tank. I wouldn't do it....unless I was considering going big within a couple years.

Ardee · Mar 5, 2016

Yeah. I was taking about ten total fish and how many of those could be bigger. I was hoping to get like 4 if possible.

I would like to upgrade but definitely no guarantee.

sawdonkey · Mar 5, 2016

Ardee said:
Yeah. I was taking about ten total fish and how many of those could be bigger. I was hoping to get like 4 if possible.

I would like to upgrade but definitely no guarantee.

You could probably get 3-4 bigger fish, but there are still plenty of fish that don't belong in a 120 period. It just depends how you define bigger. For example, I feel like my naso tang is getting too big for my 220. A powder blue tang isn't a huge fish but needs a lot of swimming room.

Personally, I'd buy fish for the tank you have, not the one you might have some day.

Ardee · Mar 5, 2016

I completely agree with that. I am new so I am trying to get as much advice as possible.

Ardee · Mar 5, 2016

I really like the Picasso but the sites I have seen say that are not reef safe to where other triggers say "with caution" because they might eat cuc. Has anyone had good/bad/indifferent experiences with them?

sawdonkey · Mar 6, 2016

Ardee said:
I really like the Picasso but the sites I have seen say that are not reef safe to where other triggers say "with caution" because they might eat cuc. Has anyone had good/bad/indifferent experiences with them?

I've had my Picasso for 13 years. I have tons of hermit crabs, although I do find an empty shell from time to time. Not sure if he is the culprit? I also have a fighting conch that dies fine. Gary, my Picasso, is by far my favorite fish. You're definitely safe coral-wise, but like you said, your cuc might be somewhat in danger.