blue throat trigger

GovtCheese · #1 07/14/2006, 07:41 AM

I've been told that the blue throat trigger is an exceptional trigger to have in a reef enviroment... my thinking used to be "to never have any trigger in a reef"

anyway, I'd like to hear some of your thoughts and experiences w/ this fish.

jmaneyapanda · #2 07/14/2006, 09:50 AM

wont bother corals, clams, etc, however, be wary with smaller fish, crustaceans, etc.

Reefin' Dude · #3 07/14/2006, 09:57 AM

they are planktonivores, so they are more interested in free floating food bits than those on surfaces. most true planktonivores are considered reef safe.

G~

Monkeyfish · #4 07/14/2006, 11:34 AM

Good bet for a reef, but no guarantee that it won't munch on shrimp or small fish.

I believe the best trigger for a reef is the Sargassum Trigger.

jda · #5 07/14/2006, 11:41 AM

These triggers are pretty safe bets in reef tanks. I have had xHatch and Bluethroat and had no issues with shrimp or small fish.

Pink Tail, Hawaiian Black and Niger are OK choices, but not as good as above. These will proabably leave the coral alone, but might take a snack on a shrimp or crap - especially as they get older. I have a Hawaiian Black in my tank right now with no issues - yet.

GovtCheese · #6 07/14/2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jda
These triggers are pretty safe bets in reef tanks. I have had xHatch and Bluethroat and had no issues with shrimp or small fish.

is the crosshatch considered a planktivore?
how big is both the xhatch and blue throat?;

GovtCheese · #7 07/14/2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Monkeyfish
no guarantee that it won't munch on small fish.

should I be concerned it is housed w/ the following?

gold band maroons
chromis
long nose hawk
flame angel

jmaneyapanda · #8 07/14/2006, 12:42 PM

my male crosshatch (similar to b.throat) eliminated every last chromis in my tank in matter of days. Just chewed them up and spit the out. Has never touched or shown interest in the GSM clowns , mandarin, cleaner shrimp, stars, blenny.

GovtCheese · #9 07/14/2006, 12:45 PM

wow, he didn't touch any of the other sm delicatables, but killed off all the chromis!?

was the crosshatch several times bigger than the chromis?

jda · #10 07/14/2006, 02:17 PM

Crosshatch is a plantivore.

I had 2 xhatches. One at 7" and one at about 4" (as small as you may ever see one). Both of mine left everything alone.

My bluethroat was about 4" too.

Just like there are tangs here and there that eat coral, not every fish follows the norm, but they are mostly safe.

thriceanangel · #11 07/14/2006, 02:37 PM

I had a blue throat and he ate my chromises, and then one day I saw him race across the tank and nail my clown. That was it and I had to get rid of him. Clown survived fine and didn't seem to care much at all, that is until he jumped ship and withered. I have a niger now and he hasn't bothered anything. But she is alot smaller at 2 inches than the 4" blue throat was.

jmaneyapanda · #12 07/14/2006, 03:45 PM

more than likely, any crosshatch or b throat you'll find will be at minimum 4-5". Furthermore, I "have" to feed him like crazy, as hes constantly swimming around and must be burning tons of energy. My female is smaller and shyer, but I caught both of them chewing a chromis, and snapping and popping the whole time (triggerfish laughter).

GovtCheese · #13 07/14/2006, 06:49 PM

damn.... I really want a trigger... but I'd hate to kiss my chromis and sunburst anthia goodbye

edwar050 · #14 07/22/2006, 03:27 AM

Same here, I would love a bluethroat but am conserned about my lonley chromis, valentini puffer, pair of medium sized B&W clowns, purple firefish, and bi-color blenny.

Any on this list I should be worried about.

Brad

secrest · #15 07/22/2006, 04:23 AM

I have had a 6 inch bluethroat in my tank for about three months now. No problems so far. I have two ocellaris and mandarin and a rainford goby as far as small fish go and he has shown no interest in either of them.