Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Durban South Africa, Southern Japan, east to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Tuamotu Islands, and south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.
Size: 16 inches (40 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits seaward reefs to about at depth of 200 feet (60 m) that contain abundant coral growths and has a natural diet of algae, small fishes, crustaceans, and sponges. Seeks caves in the reef structure to hide or rest during evening hours.
General Husbandry: Definitely an attractive fish with a olive-brown body, white dorsal and anal fins edged in black, yellow pectoral fins, and pinkish tail. Its also one of the most mild-mannered triggerfish, if not one of the best in its family, making it a fairly good choice for community-style reef or fish-only aquariums.
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 possibly with some algae, such as Spirulina mixed in, with two or three feedings per day highly recommended. Some people say they are reef safe, yet, that’s not a proven fact, as very small fish, ornamental shrimp, snails, urchins and worms such as feather dusters are at risk! Yet corals, soft and stony are not at risk. Its also better to keep them with other fish their size or larger, e.g., moray eels, snappers, angelfish, tangs or other large fish, yet not lionfish, as they are too slow moving and a target for fin nipping. Keep in mind 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: 125 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026
pH: 7.9 - 8.5
