Panther & Trigger???

As many of you know, I have a rectangular triggerfish. I am also soon setting up a 55. First of all, I obviously know that a panther grouper will grow to be far too large for a 55g. When it outgrows that tank i can trade it in at my LFS. Anyway, I was wondering: Would a panther grouper get along with my trigger untill size difference becomes too great?

 

A panther grouper will grow very large very fast. The minimum tank size for properly caring for this animal is 300 gallons!

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Panther Grouper

so I would say most definately not! Many of us think..well when it grows larger we can simply trade it in, but we forget the fact that even when small they require a lot of swimming room and just stresses them out!

That is not even going to cover the fact that it is going to be such a big bioload in your tank!

 

that quickly put those fish out of my thoughts. anyway, what about 6-striped groupers? My book says they only get 10"

 

+2

Not to mention I just can't see growing attached to an animal after caring for it just to send it back to the store. I personally like to care for what I buy for the long haul, watch them grow, etc. These creatures lives are in our hands.

 

A 55 is only 12 inches wide. It will be uncomfortable.

You need a 200+ gallon tank for the fish you want.

 

okay, i guess im done with the grouper fad

 

Hmmmmmmmm... what is there that i can put w/ a trigger?

 

You can keep triggers with other aggressive fish, provided you have the right tank. Do you plan on upgrading to a larger tank soon? You rectangular trigger will outgrow the 55. It gets 12 inches long (as long as a 55 is wide). It will have difficulties and will get stressed out. While a juvi it will do fine in the 55 just keep in mind it too will outgrow the tank.

This is what I would do.

Keep the trigger, keep the lil dude happy and get used to the ins and outs of the saltwater hobby.

Buy nice equipment, and do not worry about other fish at the moment. Save the money and get good equipment. If you skimp on equipment, you'll kick yourself later by having to buy again. Buy over-sized equipment. This will not only keep your current tank cleaner, but will allow you to use the same equipment on a larger (within reason) tank in the future. Keep the trigger happy in the 55. Upgrade to a 125+ down the road as finances allow. Just be thankful since you're not building a reef - you don't have to purchase very expensive lighting. With messy fish you will want to focus on a good skimmer.

You're doing all the right things by asking lots of questions, keep asking away, that's how you learn.

 

I personally would not put anything else in with your trigger right now. This way it can have more swimming room and the biological load will be more manageable. I have a golden puffer in my FOWLR tank and I want to get another fish to put in there with her....however I will not because the amount of waste and how messy of feeder she is...I know I would just be asking for trouble!

The only fish you could put in that tank are somewhat small fish and the trigger would pick them off so fast...they would be appitizers!

Do what I do....just add another tank! LOL! ;D I wanted a reef tank so I got it....I wanted a golden puffer so I got a new tank for it, I wanted a mantis so.......and this maddness goes on for 2 more tanks (scorpion and an upside down jelly!) Lets just say the fish eat better then I do! I admit it...I am a little freak!

 

Phew, I thought i may be getting a bit annoying with all of my threads. Another forum i used to go to got mad at me and told me to do more research instead of asking them a bunch questions. I have been researching for almost 2 years on marine setups before i recently started my little fowlr. By the way, i am currently saving for a Octopus BH-300 dual protein skimmer so you dont have to worry about me getting a crappy one.