mixing triggers?

[joander123]

hey guys. Some of you know me and some of you dont. Sorry i havent been around much lately.

Anyways, i was wondering if mixing triggers is something often done? I have a 4.5" niger trigger in my 110 gallon tank, as well as a radiata lionfish.

Wondering if i could possibly add another triggerfish such as a bluethroat trigger or a crosshatch trigger (one of the less agressive types) to the mix?

Id like end result to be
Niger trigger
Radiata Lion
1 of the above mentioned triggers
1 tang

plus the 2 damsels that refuse to be fish food in there currently =).

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Jay.

[ChangDriX]

i wouldn't I had a picasso and an undulated the picasso whooped on him and the undulated always was in hiding..anytime he came out of the rock work he was beatin up on

[texanstwoone]

I have had many nigers and they never hurt anyone.
I had a huma beat up on a blue line trigger I had at first but I turned the lights out every time they fought and soon they got comfortable with each other. As my Huma got bigger he began to fight the blue line again, so I got him out. I let him trig into a rock then took the rock out and the Huma quickly jumped into the bucket I had for him.
Mixing triggers is fine but watch out for the Huma's, Clowns, and especially the undulated.

[joander123]

yeah, i wouldnt try one of the more agressive ones.

My favorite is the queen trigger... but i realize that almost nothing can be kept with them.

Im not so much worried about the new trigger beating up on the niger as i am the niger beating up on the new trigger.

I figured if i got one of the more docile zooplankton eating triggers then i would have to worry about the lion, and my niger doesnt seem to agressive, so who knows maybe it would work.

[trainedkilla]

I keep a picasso and a clown trigger together right now in a 72G with no issues.

The niger is the most peaceful trigger so I think it can definitely be done.

[joander123]

ok, well if you guys were to chose would you go with a black (indian) triggerfish or a bluethroat.

I really like the queens too, but i fear they may be to agressive with the lion around?

[mrtuskfish]

My biggest concern would be with the lion. Some triggers do well with lions; but many don't. Lions aren't really aggressive fish, IMO, they're predators. They're slow moving and their fins are often very tempting to more aggressive fish, like triggers with their great teeth. I'm not saying don't; but I think the chances of 2 triggers that do well together are better than finding 2 that won't harass a lionfish. I had a small picasso that shredded a full grown volitan several years ago. Like so much in this area though; so much depends on the individual fish.

[joander123]

do you think that theres any chance of me being able to add one of the more agressive triggers, such as a picasso or a queen or clown, or do you think the lion is just 100% to tempting?

I understand what your saying about it depends on the fish, and i agree with it too. How do I know for sure though if the fish will work... i cant really right? So what do i do? Trial and error?

I really really really like the queen triggers, and i do know that they are agressive and do get big. But what if i bought a small one, grew it out in this tank.. and then possibly moved it to a future 180?

Is this a do-able idea? Or am i just fantasying?

Thanks.

[trainedkilla]

I currently keep two triggers with a lion. Every now and then the clown trigger will nip at the lion and the lion will chase him around the tank. There are no real problems right now though.

The key is to add the lion first. If added after the triggers, he will not make it, imo.

[mrtuskfish]

do you think that theres any chance of me being able to add one of the more agressive triggers, such as a picasso or a queen or clown, or do you think the lion is just 100% to tempting?

I understand what your saying about it depends on the fish, and i agree with it too. How do I know for sure though if the fish will work... i cant really right? So what do i do? Trial and error?

I really really really like the queen triggers, and i do know that they are agressive and do get big. But what if i bought a small one, grew it out in this tank.. and then possibly moved it to a future 180?

Is this a do-able idea? Or am i just fantasying?

Thanks.
I think your 1st couple of paragraphs really pinpoint the reason for these forums. Forums are an exchange of experience and opinion (IMO); not rule books. In the area we're we're discussing; there just isn't much that's 100%. And, yes, a lot is trial and error; plus the added factor of how much "risk" each of is willing to take. I tend to take more risk than a lot of hobbiests, so I try to limit my opinions to experience & research. (This is WAAAAy to philosophical) My opinion is a 100% maybe. Mixing triggers and lions is "iffy" and mixing a Clown Trigger with anything , short of a large shark is also "iffy". Clowns can be very peaceful fish for years; then, with no warning, go postal and attack everything in the tank. Not always, but often enough to be a concern. Me, I've done it; but was already to get one out in a hurry if need be. How's that for a non-answer answer?

[joander123]

thats pretty good. That non-answer answer is almost exactly what i was looking for, cause its basically telling me to do what ever the hell i please =). I think im going to try it, i have read numerous articles about people keeping clowns and other very agressive fish in reef tanks with no harm done. They say the key to success is to.....
1. add it last
2. Feed it often (don't let it become hungry)
3. as soon as any signs of aggression are shown shut the lights off or box in the bully.

Sounds like a game plan to me =).

[mrtuskfish]

Sure, do what you want, its your tank. There are a lot of schools of thought in this hobby; but, IMO, if you've done your homework and feel fairly confident; do it! some people, and I respect their opinions, want a 100% guarantee that no fishy will ever be hurt; but I don't go on a guilt trip if I do the best I can and lose a fish. Keep us posted!

[joander123]

heh now all i gotta do is decide what type of trigger, and what size i want....

Why do they all have to be so awesome?

[mrtuskfish]

heh now all i gotta do is decide what type of trigger, and what size i want....

Why do they all have to be so awesome?
Yeah, tough choice. Lots of opinions on this subject; but, in most cases, I still think it comes down to the individual fish. (If it turns out to be a killer, its because it didn't get enough hugs when it was little.)

[joander123]

Old thread guys... but i just thought i would update it here....

Ok so currently i still have the Niger and the Lionfish in the tank.. although i am trying to find the lion a new home, and hopefully will soon.

The reason i update this thread is because i may have the opportunity to get a PAIR of crosshatch triggers. One male 8" and one female 7.5".

Would the 2 crosshatch be ok with the 1 niger? I assume so because the crosshatch are "reefsafe" triggers, meaning that they are much less agressive triggers... the niger is known to be a tad bit more agressive, but he is also still a lot smaller than the 2 that i am adding in...

So the scenario looks like this to me.

-Crosshatch wont pick on niger because they arent agressive
-Niger probably wont pick on crosshatch because hes not very aggressive either
-if Niger does pick on crosshatch, crosshatch are certainly big enough to defend themselves and put the niger in its place.

Sound good?

[texanstwoone]

that should work fine. have fun with the crosshatches. I always turn the light off and reaggrange the works before adding a trig though.