Few huma huma trigger questions

So I recently found a good deal at my LFS a huma huma trigger juvenile for 19.99 so I thought I'd do some research.

I want to add more corals but it says he is not reef safe, why not? Also can anyone tell me how I'm supposed to keep my tank clean when he eats all the snails and such?

Any other info on this guy would be greatly appreciated

 

They are known for re-arranging the tank. Kind of hard to keep the tank clean since the trigger will be eating your clean up crew.

 

My huma is nice sized and hasn't moved anything. Such a lively fish.

I have yet to witness him eat a snail, I have a Triggerfish tank. I've only seen them peck them off the glass.

 

They'll eat inverts, even urchins but not corals. If you use epoxy, pvc pipes, etc to support the rock work they shouldn't be to much of a problem. They are messy eaters, I would get a skimmer and good filtration.

 

I have plenty of snails and a few corals and inverts, is it worth the risk?? I don't wanna but a but load of snails and I'm afraid if I don't have a cuc my tank will get nasty

 

What size tank do you have?

I'm assuming you're referring to Rhinecanthus aculeatus (picasso trigger) as opposed to R. rectangulus, as both fish are referred to "humuhumunukunkuapua'a" in HI, altho their habits are generally similar.

I kept R. aculeatus for several years in a FO setup, altho I didn't keep a CUC in the tank for other reasons. What it's going to boil down to is the individual specimen, and how well it is fed. Shrimp and crabs won't last, but it may or may not go after your snails, esp. larger snails. You might be able to get away with peppermint shrimp, as they are generally nocturnal, likewise, Stomatella (bubble shell snails) may work for the same reason. You'll need to be sure there's rockwork where the critters can be totally out of reach in the daytime.

It's going to be an experiment any way you cut it, and you have to have at least some risk tolerance as you figure out what works for you, if anything.

Sorry there's not a definitive answer here...

 

I had one, very cool fish actually kind of had a personality. BUT... lol he grew very rapidily and killed nearly eveything in my tank. This was a long time ago and I practiced bad husbandry because I didn't know better. fair warning

 

IMO a 55 gallon is too small a tank for either the Rectangle Triiger or a Picasso. 70 Gallons min.

 

My huma was a messy eater and moved everything. I eventually took him to my local fish store and traded him in for tang!