Page 249 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

TRIGGERFISH 247

Balistoides conspicillum Sufflamen bursa
TROUBLESOME TEETH
Clown Triggerfish Triggerfish
Although triggerfish have small mouths,
their powerful jaws have rows of teeth that ORIGINS From East Africa through the Pacific to Japan, ORIGINS Widely distributed throughout the
can inflict a very painful bite. Take particular Samoa, and the eastern side of Australia. Indo-Pacific region.
care when offering food directly, and always SIZE 20 in (50 cm). SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
feed the fish before you put your hands into DIET Animal-based foods. DIET Omnivorous; very easy to feed.
the tank to service it. A triggerfish is even WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
capable of biting through the heater cable (pH 8.2–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027. (pH 8.2–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027.
in the aquarium—electrocuting itself as a TEMPERAMENT Not to be trusted with other fish. TEMPERAMENT Antisocial.
consequence—so protect cabling accordingly.
In the wild, triggerfish rely on their powerful A pale body, largely transparent fins, and two
teeth to crush the shells of crustaceans, stripes on each side of the head identify this
mollusks, and even coral, which they eat. They triggerfish. Males are more brightly colored than
also communicate by grinding their teeth. females. Like related species, the Triggerfish is
relatively tolerant in terms of water quality,
but it needs an aquarium to itself. Start out
with a lively juvenile of about 4 in (10 cm),
which will be easier to tame.
Individual
spotted pattern Young Triggerfish grow
at a surprisingly fast rate.
The spotted patterning of the
Clown Triggerfish is unmistakable.
The pattern effectively conceals the eyes of this
fish, so disorienting potential predators. The Large eyes
dorsal fin is split into two separate parts, with the
darker front portion often being folded down into
a groove running along the back. An aquarium for
this and other triggerfish should include caves to
which the fish can retire at night.

Balistapus undulatus Balistes vetula
Orange-Lined Triggerfish Queen Triggerfish These large, attractive triggerfish are relatively
easy to cater for, since they feed on a variety of
ORIGINS The Indo-Pacific region, although it does not ORIGINS Found through tropical parts of the western meat-based foods and do not need company.
extend as far as Hawaii. Atlantic, typically in Caribbean waters. Unfortunately, their reproductive habits rule out
SIZE 12 in (30 cm) SIZE Up to 20 in (50 cm); 10 in (25 cm) in aquariums. breeding in the home aquarium. In the wild, the
DIET A range of animal foods, including river shrimp. DIET Fish and invertebrates. larger and more colorful male mates with several
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline females in turn. The females then guard their eggs
(pH 8.2–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027. (pH 8.2–8.4) with SG 1.023–1.027. in individual spawning pits until they hatch, even
TEMPERAMENT One of the most aggressive triggerfish. TEMPERAMENT Antisocial. to the extent of biting divers who come too close.
In the Orange-Lined Triggerfish of the Pacific,
shown below, the caudal fin is yellow-green, but
in Indian Ocean specimens it is orange. One of the
appealing features of triggerfish is their eyes, which
move independently. When anchoring themselves
in a crevice, triggerfish may inflate their bodies
slightly, although not as much as pufferfish.

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