Care Level: Relatively Easy Adult Size: 21.7in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Relatively aggressive Compatible Tank mates: Basses, puffers, eels Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods. Tank Size For Adult: 200gal (757l) Narrative: Not suitable for the reef aquarium as it eats many invertebrates. A flamboyant menace of a fish that can attain large proportions. Juveniles are brightly coloured and may fit into a community tank, but subadult and adult specimens are belligerent and tend to become more subdued in colour. Best kept with large and aggressive fish species in a very large aquarium. This is one of the worst of the triggerfishes when it comes to rearranging its aquarium aquascapes, including pieces of rock. It will blow jets of water at the substrate in search of infaunal invertebrates, and will sometimes chase, and attempt to nip, any fish that comes too close during this behaviour. Larger specimens can inflict a painful bite.
Care Level: Relatively Easy Adult Size: 9.8in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Relatively aggressive Compatible Tank mates: Should be kept with fish equal in size or larger. Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods. Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l) Narrative: Will attack many invertebrates, with the exception of large, stinging cnidarians, such as the carpet anemones (Stichodactyla spp.) A species for modern art lovers or anyone who desires a fish that thinks it’s a dog. Juveniles are relatively mild-mannered and will learn to eat from their owners’ fingers. Belligerence will increase with age. If introduced simultaneously into a larger tank, they can be housed with members of the same genus. Juveniles are compatible with members of their own species, but fights are likely to become more frequent as they mature. Will occasionally bite heater tubes and air-line tubing and may rearrange aquarium décor.
Common Names: Scimitar Triggerfish (Scythe Triggerfish, Bursa Triggerfish, Boomerang Triggerfish)
Care Level: Easy
Adult Size: 9.4in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo- Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Basses, puffers, eels.
Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods.
Tank Size For Adult: 55 gal (208l))
Narrative: Will attack many invertebrates, with the exception of large stinging cnidarians, such as the carpet anemones (Strichodactyla app.). Although know as the “pallid Triggerfish” in Australia, this species is handsome in a nongarish way and much less aggressive than many of its relatives. Juveniles are mild mannered, while adults can be more antagonistic, especially to newly introduced tankmates. To keep a larger specimen with other fishes, be sure it is the last fish introduced. It may be shy at first, but in time it will recognize the aquarist as a source of food and will become more brazen.
Care Level: Easy Adult Size: 9.4in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo- Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive Compatible Tank mates: Puffers, eels, Angels. Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods. Tank Size For Adult: 75 (284l) Narrative: One of the few triggers that can be kept in the reef aquarium. Less destructive and will usually ignore sessile invertebrates, but larger specimens may eat ornamental shrimps. One of the more-congenial triggerfishes and well suited to the moderately aggressive community tank. Can even be kept in small groups (one male and two females) in a large aquarium. It is sexually dichromatic: males sport a blue patch on the throat and yellow fin margins. Will typically spend much of its time hiding when first introduced, but will become bolder with time. Provide with plenty of open swimming space. Some specimens will spit water out of openings in the tank top; be sure there are no electrical outlets nearby.
Scientific Name: Xanthichthys mento Common Names: Crosshatch Triggerfish (Redtail Triggerfish)
Care Level: Easy Adult Size: 11.4 pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo- Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately peaceful Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Surgeonfishes, Damselfishes. Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods. Tank Size For Adult: 75 (284l) Narrative: One of the few triggers that can be kept in the reef aquarium. Less destructive and will usually ignore sessile invertebrates, but larger specimens may eat ornamental shrimps. A hardy, desirable species that will fit into a number of different aquarium settings. It is rarely aggressive toward its tankmates unless they are much smaller and/or introduced to the aquarium after it is. To keep more than one per tank, the tank should be at least 100gal [379l]; add one male and several females simultaneously. Males and females are sexually dichromatic: males have a red tail and females do not. Can be shy when first introduced, but will become quite tame in time. Appreciates swift water movement and plenty of swimming space.
Scientific Name: Xanthichthys ringens Common Names: Sargassum Triggerfish
Care Level: Moderately difficult Adult Size: 13.8in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo- Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Relatively peaceful Compatible Tank mates: Surgeonfishes, Damselfish, Butterflyfish, Angels. Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods. Tank Size For Adult: 75 gal (284l) Narrative: One of the few Triggers that can be kept in a reef aquarium. Will usually ignore sessile invertebrates, but larger specimens may eat ornamental shrimps. A very gregarious fish and the best of the triggers for the community aquarium. However, the Sargassum adapts more poorly to captivity than other Triggerfishes. Can be kept in small groups in medium-sized aquariums. Some individuals may pick on smaller fishes especially those introduced after they have acclimated. Aggression is more likely in a smaller aquarium, where space and shelter sites are limited. Appreciates strong water movement and plenty of swimming space. Rarely rearranges aquarium décor and is not a great threat to equipment in its tank.
Scientific Name: Chaetodermis peniciligera Common Names: Tassels Filefish (Leafy Filefish, The prickly Leatherjacket)
Care Level: Relatively difficult Adult Size: 12.2 pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful Compatible Tank mates: Clowns, Blennies, Gobies, Angels. Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods. Tank Size For Adult: 100 gal (379l) Narrative: Should not be housed with invertebrates with the exceptin of large, stinging cnidarians, like the carpet anemones (Stichodactyla app.). Feeds on a wide range of invertebrates. This curiosity usually lives in weedy areas on rocky reefs, hence the unusual camouflage. It tends to be shy when first added to the tank and will have a difficult time adjusting if kept with more belligerent tankmates. Must have at least one suitable shelter site. Will usually not bother fish tankmates, with the possible exception of members of its own or related kinds. Do not keep with fishes that may nip off its skin flaps (e.g., pufferfishes, certain triggerfishes).
Care Level: Very Difficult Adult Size: 4.7in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful Compatible Tank mates: Clowns, Blennies, Gobies, Angels. Diet: Difficult to feed. An obligatory coral feeder, it specializes on the polyps of Acropora. Will occasionally be coaxed into eating live brine shrimp, but this rarely meets its nutritional needs. Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l) Narrative: Can be kept in the reef aquarium, although it may nip the polyps of small-polyped stony corals. This little beauty should be avoided by the vast majority of aquarists because it rarely accepts aquarium fare. It should only be kept with more docile species and rarely behaves aggressively toward its tankmates. Certain specimens (possibly males) may quarrel with each other, but can be kept in small groups in medium-sized aquariums. Contrary to some reports, keeping a group will not necessarily increase the chances of survival. Provide branching corals (either live, dead skeletons, or faux) for it to refuge in when threatened or at night.
Common Names: Saddled Filefish (Mimic Filefish, Blacksaddled Filefish)
Care Level: Moderately Easy
Adult Size: 3.9in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Relatively Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Clowns, Blennies, Gobies, Angels.
Diet: Mixed diet of meaty foods, including chopped shrimp, squid, clams, and fish. Also frozen rations with marine algae and vitamin-enriched foods.
Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l)
Narrative: Difficult to feed. Although less destructive than some of the larger filefishes, it is risky to add this fish to a tank with sessile invertebrates, with the exception of potent sea anemones, like the members of the genus Stichodactyla. This is a boldly coloured species and one of the hardiest of the filefish clan in captive conditions. It mimics the poisonous Saddled Toby (Canthigaster valentini). Because of their close resemblance, predators learn to avoid this filefish, as well as the noxious toby. Does best when kept with more-docile fishes. May be kept in pairs (male-female), but males may fight. This mimic filefish may be picked on by its model toby if they are housed together.
Scientific Name: Pervagor melanocephalus Common Names: Blackheaded Filefish (Red-Tailed Filefish)
Care Level: Moderately Difficult Adult Size: 3.9in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful Compatible Tank mates: Clowns, Blennies, Gobies, Angels. Diet: Difficult to feed. Can usually be coaxed into eating live brine shrimp, which should be soaked in a marine vitamin supplement. To entice it to feed, try smashing shrimp or squid flesh in the interstices of a coral skeleton or a piece of live rock. Once It is feeding, try switching it to a mixed diet, including a wide range of marine animal flesh, as well as frozen preparations for herbivores, mysis shrimp, and freeze-dried krill soaked in a vitamin supplement. Will also eat algae, and vegetable matter should be offered. Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l) Narrative: Not recommended for the reef aquarium. This can be a demanding species-a challenge to feed initially and quite shy when first added to the aquarium. Usually fares much better with peaceful, non-competitive tankmates. Keep singly or in male-female pairs. May quarrel with closely related species. Provide with suitable shelter sites.
