Question for Monosebaelover

[kreblak]

Monosebaelover,

A few quick questions about Niger Triggers; when you bought the two juvies that were 1 inch and 3 inches long, what did their tail fins look like? Specifically, did their tails have the "streamers" on the top and bottom of the tailfin? When did the streamers appear, and when does the coloration turn more to blue?

Also, you said that the small one didn't really begin growing until you placed him in the 209G tank. How big do you think he would have gotten in the 55, and at what rate was he growing?

[MonoSebaelover]

When I first got both neither had the streamers (the bigger had stubs). The "little" Niger has 1/4" ones right now and the larger has about 1/2" ones now. Both of them soon got it after I put both in the 209G. The little one had longer ones initially but someone nipped the bottom one but they are now both even. I'm not quite sure what you are asking with the blue. Both of my guys are brillian blue and both are getting the green face. Both have blue fins and streamers and their teeth are starting to grow along with the red coloration. I had the little niger in the 55 for about 2-3 months and he grew about 1/2 an inch or so, maybe even an inch. Now in the 209 he has skyrocketed. In the smaller tank his growth would have been a lot slower than now. When in the 55 the tank was the standard 4'x18"x2', the 209 is 7'x2'x2'. My dad just recently bought a digital camera so hopefully one day soon I will be able to post pictures of all the triggers.

[Boogiechillin]

Coloration varies quite a bit on niger triggers, from black to blue to dark green. Sometimes the color is static and doesn't change much, sometimes it shifts based on the fish's mood...hard to predict when or if yours will turn blue someday.

[sharky]

I bought a Huma Huma trigger and a Niger 2 weeks ago My niger is blue with a lighter blue edge around all of his fins , he"s really nice . I'm having a little trouble though my two triggers arn"t getting along:mad: So I guess I"m going to have to get rid of one of them , but I'm torn as to witch one to go !:( any input on this would be very helpful . My tank is a 180 gal , all I have in it at the time is .: The two triggers ,
3 blue damsels , 15 pds. marshal Island LR , and a few pieces of dead coral .

[MonoSebaelover]

That's too bad! I have my 2 Nigers in the 209 with a Huma Rectangle with no issues. I tried adding a Blue Throat to the 209 and that didn't fly at all with the Niger since they eat the same things in the wild, they aren't very compatible in captivity. What size tank do you have? That is what it boils down to in deciding which trigger to get rid of. The Niger will grow to 18" and the Huma will grow to 9-12". Nigers will need an absolute minimum of 125 gallons (even thats kinda small, they would do better in at least a 180) and Huma will do okay in a 75 or larger. Hope this helps and sorry the triggs aren't getting along.

[Boogiechillin]

Sharky, given that you have such a big tank, I would personally keep the niger trigger. You've got enough space to let it grow out. Plus, a niger is less likely to harass future tankmates as compared to the huma.

[sharky]

Thanks for the input , It seems to be getting a little better Ive got 50 pounds of base rock on the way mabe having a little more places to get into will help , becase I dont have a hole lot or rock work at the moment , both of these fish are just to cool:) .

[MonoSebaelover]

Be sure to cure it in another tank before you put the rock in your tank. Even though it is base rock it will still have to cure a bit before you add it to your main display. Many online retailers claim they have cured live rock but everytime they ship it, the rock will have to recure due to the long exposure to air. Hope this helps and good luck with the Triggers. Watch them as they get older. Some will have little wars when young but can get to huge bloody battles when adult.