What are some "Trigger safe" corals??

Daniel@R2R · Jun 25, 2013

So I am trying to upgrade my predator FOWLR to a predator reef...but my two triggers eat most everything I have put in there. I tried zoas (my latest attempt), and they didn't last long enough to open up. Anybody who has triggers that can weigh in on what might be trigger-safe? I have a clown trigger and a huma trigger.

mainereefer · Jun 25, 2013

discosoma shrooms if it eats them your out of luck

Daniel@R2R · Jun 25, 2013

Ok. Thanks! Anything else?

mcarroll · Jun 26, 2013

Dang, how big is that Clown?

Those are fairly un-reef-safe triggers, so nothing is going to be off limits.

Trial and error may prove otherwise (since the fish can't read the forums) and location of what you place in the tank may have as much to do with any luck you have as what specific coral you choose. I say try some softies, try some stonies and y some leathers, but don't spend much if any money to do so. See what you get. (I'd start with shrooms, plating Monti and Yellow leather...lotsa possibilities tho.)

If the fish are well-fed and feeling generous, you might find they actually like living in a coral tank. :)

-Matt

scott9119 · Jun 26, 2013

Switch to cross hatch triggers. Expensive but worth it. Will leave corals alone.

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mcarroll · Jun 27, 2013

I might second that advice if there's a way you could find a good home for your current tankmates. That clown is going to be too big for anyone's tank someday. ;)

Crosshatches are great fish in their own right too...not just that they are triggers that leave coral alone. IIRC pairs are recommended (groups?) so they can be a it expensive, as mentioned already. Adult size is quite aquarium appropriate too, if you have a big aquarium. (180 would be nice...120 might do.)

-Matt

Daniel@R2R · Jun 27, 2013

Thanks for the advice guys, but I'm not really interested in getting rid of the triggers. I selected those specifically and don't really want another variety even if that means I can't keep corals. I'm thinking I may try sinularia...can't imagine anything wanting to eat that. Lol

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 28, 2013

I just bought a 1/2 inch humu humu he is in my reef tank, and has been for 2 days. I have a talbot damsel who loves to guard corals. He immediately chases my Pygmy angel any time he approaches corals and I am hoping he does the same to the trigger. If not he is easy to catch. He sleeps in a removable rock near the top and also likes swimming into my hand. If and when he finally snaps I have a backup tank ready for him. Otherwise I hope the damsel will train the trigger to just ignore the stuff all together.

Now: trigger safe corals...in my past experience with these fish I can say they are a mix of angels and puffers as far as taste. They have to trim their teeth so they go for hard stuff like Lps branches, but they also love fleshy meaty corals. A Duncan coral may be the perfect treat for a trigger for it has branches and a ton of meat.

Maybe stuff like leathers that stink when cut would do ok, as long as you have carbon to absorb any juices that may harm the other corals. When I frag leathers they put off some strong toxins. The same would happen when munched on.

"Live like tomorrow already happened. Yesterday is only 3 days ahead. Today will be here soon." And a link to my tanks https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123851