Can I add a Trigger?

Hello everyone,

I was at the LFS the other day and noticed that they had a pair of blue jaw triggers that were simply stunning. It made me start to think if I could put one in my tank, but I did not impulsively buy one, instead I decided to do some research.

My tank is a 125 Gallon reef tank, the majority is SPS with some LPS and a lot of zoas. I have two anemones, one is a 12 inch rose and the other a 4 inch green BTA. I have a brittle star fish, snails and hermit crabs as well as 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 peppermint shrimp, 2 conch, 2 crocea clams and 1 derasa clam.

For fish I have a 4 inch blue hippo, a 4 inch yellow tang, 2 chromis, a target mandarin, a cleaner wrasse and 2 clowns. For filtration I have a eshopps hob skimmer that is going to be replaced at the end of the summer with either an SWC or Reef Octopus in sump skimmer rated for up to 250 gallons. I will also be building a new stand and a sump/fuge at the end of the summer.

My question is, since blue jaws grow to roughly 8.7 inches at mature length, could I get one to put in my reef tank? I know I may have issues with the peppermints and clams, but am willing to sell those as needed.

Would I be too overstocked to even consider this option? Does anyone have any experience with these "reef safe" triggers? I would like to hear anything that is on topic regarding this to help me out.

I thank everyone in advance for reading this lengthy post and hope to hear some intuitive insight.

Robert

 

short and sweet....NO!
gonna outgrow that tank in about 6 month if not sooner, not enough room to swim in at the moment either.
all this is just my opinion of course so don't rely on it without further confirmation.

 

You're also looking at potential compatibility issues with the wrasse, chromis, mandarin, and maybe the clowns.

 

Are you implying that the trigger will go after the above mentioned fish? Since they are smaller than the trigger will it see the fish as food opportunities?

 

So then if an 8.6 inch trigger will out grow the 5 foot 125, won't my hippo and yellow ultimately succumb to the same fate leading me to trade/sell them?

 

No, I'm saying it outright. Triggers can be very aggressive fish, and might eat any fish that's small enough to fit in its mouth. The Blue Jaw is one of the least aggressive triggers, but you really never know.

I'm pretty sure people keep them in pairs due to some survival problems when there's a single blue jaw; you might want to consider getting the pair or not at all instead of splitting them.

 

That is interesting to hear. When speaking to the LFS owner he said that males will naturally tend to be more aggressive than females. He also said that if a female is purchased singly, over time it will change into a male. Not sure about that one, but it is interesting to know.

Will what little responses there have been so far I think I may tend to another fish, if one at all. I do like copperband butterflies, but hear they can be difficult. I just want a showpiece fish that is compatible with my existing fish.

 

Thanks for the input. I was just throwing out an idea that I had and wanted the valued opinions from here at 3 reef. I just want to find that show piece fish for my tank without adding an undue aggression or stress to the present occupants.

With that in mind I know I cannot add another tang without ridding my self of one of the current tangs. I cannot add a trigger because they are not always reef safe and could attack other inhabitants. I am thinking of perhaps replacing my clowns with picassos or another high end clown or adding a copperband, but they are difficult in themselves. Any ideas?

 

Try looking into getting a wrasse. They are cool fish & don't get too big. There are quite a few peaceful, "reef-safe" wrasses.