Blue Throat Trigger

I have always wanted to get a trigger fish in my tank but know that they are not typically compatible with reef tanks. I have done some research and read that the Blue Throat Trigger is the most docile of all the tiggers and can be kept in reef tanks with caution. Other's has strongly advised against this.

Does anyone have experience with blue throats in a reef tank? Was it successful or not advisable?

I am assembly my tank this time around with the basic concept of keeping a reef tank without limiting my fish options as much as possible. I was going to do all fish but started getting some free coral so I am cautiously adding coral, which has been thriving thus far. I do have a bit of live-stock however that is not necessarily typical of a reef thank. If there is even a 50/50 chance the blue throat might work I am willing to give it a try.

Any advice would be greatly appreciate!!

 

I have had one and the only problem I had was that they NEED to eat a lot. They have a high metabolism. With this being said, remember that any food you put in your tank is going to increase nutrient levels which can be bad for your coral. Btw you can also look at the Niger trigger or pinktail.

 

A BT will do perfectly fine in a reef tank, as long as the tank is large enough. You will have to select the rest of the inhabitants around it.

 

Thanks for the responses!

I had a clown grouper that I just took back that needed a LOT of food. It got to the point where nothing else could get to the food before it ate it all and it was harassing my other fish and ate the 2 chromis I had. Eventually I determined it wasn't a sustainable environment so I took it back after a few months.

My main concern with adding a trigger is that I will have a repeat of that scenario. Did you BT bother your other fish or pick at any coral or anything?

Jerry, how big of a tank do you think I would need? I only have a 65 gallon but thought if I got one small enough it would be able to manage, at least for a while until it outgrows the tank. Also, when selecting other inhabitants around it what would you recommend avoiding? I currently have a marine beta, dwarf angel, squareback anthias and a snowflake eel. Would you see me having any problems with this tank mates?

 

All of those fish should be OK, as always, fish's attitude may vary. A friend of mine had a pair in a four foot 120. They did fine for a while, but it's not big enough long term, especially with competing fish like tangs. Personally, I wouldn't put them in a tank smaller than six feet.

 

I think a 65 is awfully small for any trigger. My bt never messed with any fish. They are not natural predators to fish as they are planktavors.(is that a word). He would destroy a ton of mysis shrimp as well as chopped clam.

 

65 gallon for a blue throat would be a big no no. Very awesome fish, kept multiple triggers in my 75 gallon before I had a disease kill all of them over night, so I decided to keep fish that are actually meant for my tank.

 

So there is no hope in getting a trigger when it's very small and having it only grow to the size of the tank? I was under the impression that for the most part when fish are raised in captivity they will grow to their environment.

 

I just had a deja vu' on this post The BT's don't come smaller than at least 4 inches. Nigers can come at about 3 but that's the smallest I've ever been able to find.

 

I had one in my 80g and he did good for a while. They grow fast and was 6" in no time. They swim a lot. I would find mine pacing across the back glass. Definitely needed more swimming room. I do think a 65g would be too small. I had a pair in my 120g and they did well with the size. Yea they do eat a lot but they never bothered anyone else to get to the food and never bullied anyone else.
I had a Niger trigger in my 80g before I went reef and as soon as I started adding crabs and small fish he went rogue. He wanted to eat anything and everything. So from my personal experience I do not recommend them for a reef.
Just my personal experience.