Blue line trigger

So I woke up this morning and my one black n white clown was murdered by my orange white one. I witnessed him bullying him but I thought it was harmless fun. But I plan on getting rid of my orange and white one to the lfs add more live rock and get my tank water to perfect. Add another power head new light system etc. After all that I would like to put 1 blue line trigger in my tank. A small one and let him grow. Once he is bigger switch him to a bigger tank. My question is are they reef safe I want to get corals down the road and I don't want him to eat them. And will he attack my starfish or my hermits? I know that triggers are rated for a 55^ tank but I figure if I buy a small one then he will be fine till he gets bigger and by then I will have my bigger tank

 

Absolutely not. Buying a fish with the notion that you will rehouse it later is a bad idea and rarely happens. These fish grow at an incredible rate and even young fish need lots of room. Yes it will probably attack your hermits.Not sure were you got 50 gallons from; the minimum tank size for this fish is 180 gallons as they grow to almost 2 feet in length. Doing what you suggest is poor aquarium husbandry and not being a responsible reefer IMO. There are plenty of appropriately sized fish for your aquarium so I suggest you find something else. If you truly love this fish ,leave it alone.

 

Not going to lie I feel like a moron. I was under the assumption that that trigger was a 55 gallonish type. But I very much mistaken lol now I look like a moron. Forgive me and now that I know that they need that much of a tank I won't be buying one. Thanks for the info tho.

 

Hey, do not be so hard on yourself.

At least you asked the right question and accepted that your tank is too small.

You're way ahead of curve for those reasons alone.

Keep doing the research prior to purchases and you will much better decisions for you and your tank.

 

In case you get a larger tank and to answer one of your original question, a Blue Line is not a suitable reef tank fish and is not exactly a friendly tankmate when it gets older.

There are very few triggers that are reef safe. I've got a pair of Blue Throat Triggers in one of my tanks and they are really cool fish.

 

Absolutely!! We love responsible reefers!!!!8) Rocketmans advice is solid as well.8)8)

 

Thanks, and for the record a Blue Throat is too big for a 55... Just threw it out as an example of a reef safe trigger and one of my favorite fish.

Super hardy too - read: http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/i-may-have-killed-mama-t-128796.html