Page 248 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

246 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

TRIGGERFISH

A relatively stocky, oval body shape characterizes
triggerfish. Their caudal fins are quite small, so these
fish rely mainly on the rippling movement of the rear
part of their dorsal fin, combined with their anal fin, to
propel themselves through the water. Their front dorsal
spine interlocks with a smaller second spine and can be
used to anchor the fish in a rocky crevice. Once the
locking mechanism has been triggered, it is virtually
impossible to dislodge them. It may be necessary to
buy a triggerfish in its chosen retreat, should it seek
sanctuary there while being caught. Triggerfish are ideal
for those seeking a fish with “personality.” They can
be tamed sufficiently to feed on hand-offered items.
Triggerfish, such as the Red-tooth Triggerfish (Odonus niger) shown here,
are found in tropical seas worldwide, usually in association with reefs.

Odonus niger Pseudobalistes fuscus Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Niger Triggerfish Blueline Triggerfish Picasso Triggerfish

ORIGINS From the Red Sea eastward, through the ORIGINS From East Africa and the Red Sea through the ORIGINS From East Africa throughout the Indo-Pacific
Pacific to Japan and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Pacific to Samoa and Micronesia. region to Japan and Hawaii.
SIZE 16 in (40 cm). SIZE 22 in (56 cm). SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
DIET Animal-based foods, including shrimp. DIET Fish and invertebrates. DIET Fish and animal-based foods.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.2–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027 (pH 8.2–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027. (pH 8.2–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027.
TEMPERAMENT Placid. TEMPERAMENT Unpredictable and always territorial. TEMPERAMENT Territorial.
These triggerfish are equipped with a formidable Patterned like an abstract painting, the Picasso
array of red teeth at the front of their mouths. Triggerfish has yellow markings along the sides of
The body color varies throughout their range, its face, suggesting that the jaws can open wide.
from a bluish hue to green. It can also be affected In reality, however, the mouth is small, as in other
by their mood. Despite their scientific name (niger triggerfish. The Picasso’s pelvic fins are reduced to
means “black”), these fish are never black. When a small projection under the body, and it is a slow,
danger threatens, they usually swim headfirst into slightly clumsy swimmer. This triggerfish often
a suitable reef crevice. grunts, especially when being caught.
Adequate retreats must
Lyre-shaped Erect
caudal fin be therefore included dorsal fin
in the tank.
Tough and hardy, these fish typify the requirements
of triggerfish. They need to be kept singly, because
they will prey on smaller fish, and generally do
not like the company of their own kind. Blueline
Triggerfish can also be very destructive within
the aquarium, since they dig in the substrate, and
must not be housed with invertebrates.

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