Triggerfish for the Reef Tank

Triggerfish belong to family Balistidae. There are eleven genera and roughly forty species in the family, but only about half of these are commonly available in the hobby. The ones available include some of the most gregarious, intelligent and hearty fishes one can keep in a home aquarium, however, they also include species fully capable of decimating a reef tank. As a result, it is essential for the aquarist who is considering a triggerfish to extensively research that fish and its appropriateness for the aquarist’s specific set-up. This article specifically looks at two of the genera that are amongst the best triggers for a reef tank—Xanthichthys and Melichthys.

Triggerfish can be found in warm waters throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indo-Pacific. As most hobbyists know, Triggerfish are named for their “trigger,” which can be used to lodge themselves in reef crevices. In addition to their namesake trigger, all species are readily recognizable by way of their shape and distinctive tail. What the aquarist may not notice at first (but of which he or she should certainly be aware) are the canine teeth mounted in the fish’s powerful, crushing jaws.

While some would never consider keeping a triggerfish in a reef tank, species from the genera Xanthichthys and Melichthys are considered “reef-safe” by many experienced hobbyists. Species from these genera generally remain under a foot in length and possess relatively peaceful dispositions. Many of those familiar with the family consider the Blue Jaw Triggerfish (X. auromarginatus) the most docile and reef-safe of all triggers. Because the Blue Jaw Triggerfish feeds primarily on zooplankton in the water column, it is less likely to harass sessile invertebrates, although it may harass other zooplanktavores such as chromis or cardinals. The Blue Jaw Triggerfish is also sexually dichromic and can be kept in pairs in large systems making for an impressive display.

Species from the genus Melichthys are also good candidates for a reef tank. Although this fish gets significantly larger than the Blue Jaw Triggerfish (up to 20 inches), the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger) is considered by many an excellent choice for the large reef system. Like the Blue Jaw and the Hawaiian Black, the Pink-Tail Triggerfish (Melichthys vidua) is yet another triggerfish often considered reef-safe. While they are all zooplanktavores, both the Hawaiian Black and the Pink-Tail Triggerfish are anecdotally more likely to nip at sessile vertebrates than the Blue Jaw. In particular, the Pink-Tail Triggerfish is known to eat ornamental sponges.

While it is heartily recommended to keep a triggerfish in an appropriately-sized reef tank, it should be noted that all triggerfish are capable of aggressive behavior that can lay waste to other fish and invertebrates in the system and even result in injury to the aquarist. Despite this fact, many hobbyists can not resist the lure of these beautiful, intelligent and personable fishes. With a little research and good husbandry practices, excellent results should be expected by the reef aquarist who acquires species from the genera Xanthichthys and Melichthys; however, there are many other triggers that are best kept in a fish only system.

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