Trigger Question

[jcarson999]

I've been doing a lot of reading on various forums about triggers, and although I often hear that no trigger is really 'reef safe', many people seem to be successful keeping Nigers, Pink Tails, Blue Jaws, and Crosshatch in their reef tank. Currently I have a Niger in my reef tank and he's been great with his tank mates (no shrimp, but a very passive bunch).

There's a Rectangular Trigger I've fallen in love with at a local LFS, but can't quite convince myself to take the plunge. I have yet to hear about anyone's experience with this particular type of trigger. Anyone actually keep one of these guys in a reef?

Thanks for any input.
-jim

[JENnKerry]

When you put a trigger in a reef, it's like putting a dwarf angel in a reef. You're taking a chance. That's all. Some people are more than willing to take that chance. I wouldn't. When they say that triggers are not reef safe, it's more or less directed towards inverts like crabs and snails, not so much corals. Triggers are very messy eaters and produce alot of waste that would normally foul up the water in a reef. But IMO, crabs and snails help make up a reef just as much as corals do.

[ozadars]

Actually a dwarf angel is much more risky than a planktivore trigger (such as pink tail, crosshatch..) in a reef tank. In nature dwarf angels feed on algae, sponges, some kinds of corals and other small invertabrates. However, planktivore triggers are plankton eaters. Their mouth shape is not suitable for eating corals or even crabs (big triggers can eat slow moving hermit crabs though).

Niger triggers are in the middle. They are planktivores too but I think their mouth is bigger than most of the other planktivore triggers so that can sometimes cause troubles.

Rhinecanthus, Balistoides, Balistapus or Balistes species are very risky in reef tanks though, such as clown, queen, undulate, picasso or rectangular triggers. They have big and very strong jaws. They are also very curious and like to taste everything. I have seen some of these fish in reef tanks too but definately shouldnt be housed with shrimps, crabs, snails, clams, worms and even fish!