Triggers in a Reef! How many of you are keeping (or have kept) them?

[HB AL]

The hermits and snails once they become aware of the potential predators (triggers) in the tank become nocturnal feeders, I have a lot of rock so they disappear when lights are on. I recently looked in the tank at 200am with a flashlight and counted 15 hermits I could see doing there thing along with around 8 snails. They are definitely survivalists and smart. Any type of shrimp like a cleaner, fire etc... definitely won’t make it long with my current triggers. The only trigger I had in a reef tank that didn’t bother a cleaner shrimp was a bluejaw years ago. Triggers have been my favorite fish since I started keeping saltwater tanks 30+ years ago and will always have them in my tanks regardless if it’s a fowlr or a mixed reef. I have 14 fish currently and they all get along and feed them a mix of Hikari frozen cubes between 8 to 12 cubes once a day in the evening.

 

[Daoz126]

The hermits and snails once they become aware of the potential predators (triggers) in the tank become nocturnal feeders, I have a lot of rock so they disappear when lights are on. I recently looked in the tank at 200am with a flashlight and counted 15 hermits I could see doing there thing along with around 8 snails. They are definitely survivalists and smart. Any type of shrimp like a cleaner, fire etc... definitely won’t make it long with my current triggers. The only trigger I had in a reef tank that didn’t bother a cleaner shrimp was a bluejaw years ago. Triggers have been my favorite fish since I started keeping saltwater tanks 30+ years ago and will always have them in my tanks regardless if it’s a fowlr or a mixed reef. I have 14 fish currently and they all get along and feed them a mix of Hikari frozen cubes between 8 to 12 cubes once a day in the evening.

I have a boomerang and a humu picasso and they don't seem to pay attention to the crabs but I do feed them 2-3 times a day

 

[saltyhog]

I only noticed a change in their behavior when they started spawning. They would begin to reserve parts of the tank to themselves for a few days at a time. Other than that they don't bother much other than making the occasional SPS frag.

Stunning tank @Ecvernon. Well done!

 

[mcwhng]

Does anybody have experience with a Humu Humu?

Had a small Humu (?1.5inch) in a fowlr that grew really quickly in a year (3inch). Decided the long spined urchin was lunch and dispatched it in 3 minutes. Then decided my volitan lionfish was an urchin in disguise and munched on its spines/fins until it was half its original size. I quickly got rid of the trigger. Humus are beautiful but very aggressive when they reach a certain size and will eat anything they can grab even if well fed. Your mileage may vary!

 

[PanchoG]

Had a small Humu (?1.5inch) in a fowlr that grew really quickly in a year (3inch). Decided the long spined urchin was lunch and dispatched it in 3 minutes. Then decided my volitan lionfish was an urchin in disguise and munched on its spines/fins until it was half its original size. I quickly got rid of the trigger. Humus are beautiful but very aggressive when they reach a certain size and will eat anything they can grab even if well fed. Your mileage may vary!

Unfortunately that is what I have heard. I am not only concern for mu CUC but also for my mandarin and gobies.

 

[William Norman]

I have a Red Tail (Sargassum) and a Niger in my aggressive FOWLR. The Red Tail has lots of personality, my Niger will occasionally get aggressive against my Red Coris Wrasse and Tomato Clown when feeding.

 

[saltyhog]

A friend of mine got a Queen trigger when it was very small. He had no idea how big it would get....or how mean it would get. He had it in a 6 foot tank it it literally took up 1/3 of the tank My friend was physically afraid of the fish after he had been bitten several times. This was what he looked like anytime you approached the tank. ;Joyful

 

[HB AL]

A friend of mine got a Queen trigger when it was very small. He had no idea how big it would get....or how mean it would get. He had it in a 6 foot tank it it literally took up 1/3 of the tank My friend was physically afraid of the fish after he had been bitten several times. This was what he looked like anytime you approached the tank. ;Joyful

The queen trigger is the most brutal trigger I’ve ever owned, learned my lesson 20+ years ago, long story short, it killed all tankmates then turned on me. I see them at the lfs hand size and they already have the crazy aggressive look.:mad:

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I want a clown trigger so bad, but I've heard those guys are destined to go postal at some point without warning

 

[Johnseye]

Had a Humu and Niger in a fowlr many many years ago. Have a male Blue Throated in my reef now. My Fire shrimp is now gone and I suspect him. He's become the most aggressive eater in the tank. He's drawn blood biting me when I let the tip of my finger dip in the tank. Regardless Iove watching Triggers swim.

 

[sam.veilleux30]

I want a clown trigger so bad, but I've heard those guys are destined to go postal at some point without warning

Go postal?
Do you mean they jump?

 

[saltyhog]

Go postal?
Do you mean they jump?

No, it means go on a killing spree. You are probably too young to know about it. In 1986 a postal worker killed about 10-15 of his fellow workers. There were several other similar but smaller episodes after that all in post offices. It led to the phrase "going postal"

 

[sam.veilleux30]

Thanks, never heard of it.
It must be a typical american expression, here in Canada the postman are usually nice.

 

[exnisstech]

snip Could I do a Niger or Humu Humu? Snip

I have a Niger in a mixed reef that has been there for over 2 years. I suspect he may eat my small snails but have no proof. He doesn't bother any other fish which include tangs clowns Foxface rabbit fish and eel. I also have 2 cleaner shrimp which were introduced after the trigger and they have been fine for several months.

 

[fishybizzness]

The queen trigger is the most brutal trigger I’ve ever owned, learned my lesson 20+ years ago, long story short, it killed all tankmates then turned on me. I see them at the lfs hand size and they already have the crazy aggressive look.:mad:

I've been surrounded by them while diving for lobster! I usually have to sacrifice a lobster to them so I can make it to the boat with the rest! We literally have to beat them off at times with the lobster snares!!

 

[artieg1]

I had a niger, but after a year it started tasting everything. Removed and corals are much happier. Only other difference really is that the shoaling fishes don't shoal as much as when a predator was about!

 

[sam.veilleux30]

I've been surrounded by them while diving for lobster! I usually have to sacrifice a lobster to them so I can make it to the boat with the rest! We literally have to beat them off at times with the lobster snares!!

What size of triggers are we speaking of?

 

[HB AL]

What size of triggers are we speaking of?

Dinner plate size, the ones in Baja follow you around when spear fishing and throwing them a fish outta your bag to give em something to chew on away from you was what we did all the time.

 

[fishybizzness]

What size of triggers are we speaking of?

The queen triggers get to almost 2 ft long! Huge and aggressive!

 

[chicago]

I had a pair of cross hatch triggers. Problem was they were secretly eating fish when lights came on. Lost a few until I discovered their morning appetite.