Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indian Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to Thailand, Sumatra, and Indonesia
Size: 10 inches (25 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits areas rich in coral growth on coastal to outer reef slopes. Seeks caves in the reef structure to hide or rest during evening hours. Feeds on crustaceans, small inverts, algae and sponges.
General Husbandry: A pretty fish that is a deep grey to black color, and has a light blue stripe at the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and edging the tail. There are also darker stripes across the top of the head and chin area. The Indian Trigger (Melichthys indicus) is very similar to the Black Trigger (M. niger), with the main difference the white margin around its tail, which is lacking on the Black Trigger. It’s not among the more normally stocked fish in the hobby, yet is slowly making its way into the hobby and becoming available.
In the home aquarium, they require a meaty diet, e.g., fortified brine shrimp, mysis, chopped fish, shrimp, squid, and clam flesh, and/or meaty type frozen carnivore foods with two or three feedings per day. Some people say they are reef safe, yet, that’s not a proven fact, as small fish, ornamental shrimp, snails, urchins and worms such as feather dusters may be at risk! Yet corals, soft and stony are not at risk. Most are better kept with moray eels, snappers, angelfish, tangs or other larger fish, yet not lionfish, as they are too slow moving and a target for fin nipping.
Definitely an attractive fish and ‘somewhat’ mild-mannered, making it a good choice for community-style reef or fish-only aquariums. Keep in mind that generally its recommended not more than one triggerfish be kept per aquarium unless a mated pair, and furthermore, that it be the last fish to be placed into the aquarium.
Taxonomy:
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Suborder: Tetraodontoidei
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Melichthys
FYI: Their common name, triggerfish, comes from their ability to lock and unlock their first dorsal fin. This fin is normally retracted and carried in a groove on the upper body. When frightened, the fish will dart into a crevice or branch of coral and raise this trigger-like fin, securely locking itself into its place of protection.
They should be housed with small pieces of seashells since they like to bite on them or turn them over in the search of prey. Better these shells than other aquarium decor. It also helps keep their teeth worn-down, which actually could get too long and pointed and cause them some difficulty in feeding.
In general, triggerfish are like angelfish and surgeonfishes, as they have laterally compressed bodies with small mouths with strong jaws and chisel-like teeth for crushing hard-shelled prey. However, eyes are set back and located high on their large head to avoid damage when feeding on urchins, one of their favorite foods.
Preys on sea urchins by squirting water from the mouth under them to overturn, then attacks its meaty underside.
Even though specimen and confines specific, those in the genera Balistes, Balistoides, Pseudobalistes, Rhinecanthus, and Sufflamen are generally thought of as the most aggressive in the Triggerfish family. Those in the Melichthys, Odonus and Xanthichthys genera are more suitable community fish candidates, yet all are not trust worthy when it comes to invertebrates as mentioned above.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Acclimation Time: 15 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only and reef aquariums (with caution)
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: See above
Tankmates: Equal in size or larger/may attack/eat smaller fish
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026
pH: 7.9 - 8.5
