Clown Trigger sudden death

[hrdneglcry]

I bought a Clown Triggerfish in December. He was as big as my largest Triggers in the tank. Nobody really bothered him. But yesterday I found him floating and it was sudden. His fins were a bit chewed on the side but not sure if that was post mortem. I saw no aggression prior. I never saw him yield to any of the other fish. They seemed to leave him alone. I have two Nigers, and a Black Durgeon. A Leaflip Grouper and a Graysby Grouper. Also a Domino Damsel. All in a 180. He ate daily. I saw no signs of sickness. When I bought him I noticed both of his eyes stuck out very far. I did not remember my old Clown Trigger have popped out eyes. But I thought maybe it was normal. But he was floating dead yeaterday No warning. No clues. I had to start running the lights less because if the bill and algae: Since I have no coral I keep the tank dark more of the day. The Mangronve and refugium lights run 12 hours so the tank is always lit somewhat. So I can only think one of the Nigers killed him or some type of water issue. But no signs prior and no other fish including him show or showed distress.

 

[TX_REEF]

#fishmedics I think the popping out eyes may be a clue for our fish medics

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I bought a Clown Triggerfish in December. He was as big as my largest Triggers in the tank. Nobody really bothered him. But yesterday I found him floating and it was sudden. His fins were a bit chewed on the side but not sure if that was post mortem. I saw no aggression prior. I never saw him yield to any of the other fish. They seemed to leave him alone. I have two Nigers, and a Black Durgeon. A Leaflip Grouper and a Graysby Grouper. Also a Domino Damsel. All in a 180. He ate daily. I saw no signs of sickness. When I bought him I noticed both of his eyes stuck out very far. I did not remember my old Clown Trigger have popped out eyes. But I thought maybe it was normal. But he was floating dead yeaterday No warning. No clues. I had to start running the lights less because if the bill and algae: Since I have no coral I keep the tank dark more of the day. The Mangronve and refugium lights run 12 hours so the tank is always lit somewhat. So I can only think one of the Nigers killed him or some type of water issue. But no signs prior and no other fish including him show or showed distress.

Sorry - no way to tell after the fact. Even a photo of the dead trigger might not tell us much.

The protruding eyes are not normal. they can indicate mycobacteria infection, injury (usually just one eye though) or past exposure to supersaturation gas in the water.

Did this trigger come from somebody else's tank before you got it, or was it a freshly captured, newly imprted fish?

 

[hrdneglcry]

I bought it at the store. Apart from potruding eyes it was very healthy. It ate, swam and set up shop. So I was turning the lights off more to save on electricity since I have no coral. It was when this happened. I have found out that its the pair of Nigers that killed him. They are trying to kill my Black Durgeon too. I removed him. I just put my Pinktail back in because he was beating up the Black Durgeon. Then I saw the Durgeon and he was easy to catch. The Pinktail is in there so hopefully I can rescue him if needed. Hes pretty mean. But they killed my Clown Trigger.