Adding Blue Jaw and/or Pink Trigger

ksatterf

ksatterf

Keith
Feb 18, 2009
15
0
1
Ohio
I have 180 reef tank since June. I am lookingto add 1 or 2 more fish and then just continue adding LR and Coral. I am looking at adding a Blue Jaw Trigger or a Pink Tail Trigger. From what I have researched they should not be a problem (maybe minor risk to shrimp), but am looking for advice from anyone with experience. Primarily because of potential size I am leaning toward the Blue Jaw.

Current inhabitants:
1 Sailfin tang
1 Kole Tang
1 Dragon Goby
1 Diamond Goby
2 Oscilery Clown
4 Green Chromis
1 Longnose Hawkfish
1 Domino Damsel
1 Blue Damsel
3 peppermint schrimp
1 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
1 firefish goby
2 bubble tip anemone (split from 1)
Several coral (finger leather, star polyp, brain, torch, Zoe)
Sea urchin
Turbo snails & Hermit crabs

Thanks
Keith
 
Not only that, but IME, the bluejaw is somewhat less likely to nip at things than even the pinktail (or are you referring to the redtail in the same genus at the bluejaw?). A crosshatch trigger usually is even better and slightly more mild-mannered than either of those, but much more expensive.
 
I know someone with a 300G and a Bluejaw he is trying to get rid of because it is so clumsy around corals.. it doesn't eat or pick at them, but is so big it is constantly running into them and breaking branches off. Other than the size of it, seems big even in a 300G, it is a good reef fish.. Doesn't bother peppermint shrimp at all or any corals on purpose.
 
That's the unfortunate issue with any trigger in a reef, especially as they get larger. They just don't mind bumping into things at all. It has no effect on them under most circumstances. The corals may or may not be worse for wear, however.
 
Great feedback. I read the Pink tail will get to around 14". Too big for me, but the Blue Jaw only gets to around 7-8" and I think that will be OK. I will look at the redtail and crosshatch. Hadn't seem anything on those yet. Great news on the shrimp. Not so good news on the clumsiness. Guess I better make sure everything is secure.
 
and then you can use the broken off pieces as frags, to give to the less fortunate...
 
Ya, frags are not too much of an issue, getting to them sometimes in a 300G can be impossible though, the bigger problem is the trigger can knock entire colonies off the rocks onto other colonies down lower, if it isn't caught in time it can mean the death of both colonies, which in the SPS world can mean a several hundred dollar oops from a $50 trigger. That is why my friend with the 300G wants it out.. to many corals getting knocked over into other corals.. This is an SPS coral tank though, I bet a bluejaw trigger would do much better and cause much less damage in a LPS/softy tank.
 
I guess that's one way to get frags. I still have a way to go building coral. Also need another 50 or so lbs of LR. I'm thinking if I start with a juvenile I can build another tank in a year or so if he becomes to much of a problem. Still looking for alternative fish though. Just havn't found anything I like better.

Thanks to all for the insight.
 
Think I'm giving up on getting a trigger. Maybe try some Tangs, but that may be dicey as well. So many different opiions!
 
I had a pinktail trigger in my reef tank with no problems. I only took him back becasue of his bioload!!!

I now have things under control and have got a bluechin trigger - granted he's still a baby, but no problems so far:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom