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Undulated, trigger,
sys. 12/09/09 Re: Undulated,
sys. 12/10/09 Trigger Fish 11/7/06 Hello James, <Hello Jarryd> I wrote to you a while ago regarding what triggers to keep and in what size tanks. You directed me to LiveAquaria.com and said that their recommendations were the best guides. <A good starting point.> So, upon viewing the site am I right to assume that one could keep an undulated trigger in a 50 gallon tank? Just trying to make some clarifications! <You must keep in mind that the recommendation of a 50 gallon tank is the minimum size tank. The Undulate Trigger can grow to a length of one foot. That leaves him three foot of swimming room from left to right. Not much, is it. Another point is that when you receive this fish, it isn't going to be one foot long. More than likely, three to four inches. In this regard, a 50 gallon tank would be able to house this fish until it grows. We could probably be kept in a ten by ten foot room for the rest of our lives and survive, but, would we be happy, no. Would we enjoy our life, no. Would the conditions by healthy, unlikely.> Also I'm constantly reading posts by other aquarists who claim to have had for e.g.. a Niger Trigger in a 50 gallon for a number of years. I also know of someone else who said they had a clown trigger and undulated trigger in a 50 gallon tank for over 3 years!!! Sorry to annoy you, but it can get really confusing when someone tells you one thing yet you read another! Can you comment on these type of setups? <Yes, I also have seen people keeping large fish in small tanks, but keep in mind that we are looking at the health/well being of the fish. Fish kept under these conditions are more disease prone than would otherwise be in a larger system. Another point to considerthese fish were taken out of an ideal environment and, as aquarists, it is our responsibility to provide conditions suitable for their health and well being.> Thank you for your time James, <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Jarryd Undulated triggerfish 1/18/06 Hello everyone, I just recently lost my niger triggerfish to temperature fluctuations( as your probably aware it gets pretty hot in Australia). I was absolutely devastated because he was my first marine fish. Anyway onto my question, I purchased an undulated triggerfish yesterday knowing what temperament they have and made the conscious decision to keep him on his own. he is currently in a 40 gallon quarantine tank and headed to a 120 gallon, is this tank sufficient enough for him? <The 40 is fine for QT and the 120 will be great.> In a 120 gallon is he likely to grow to his full size? <Good chance.> I feed twice a day Mysis shrimp and flakes, how long will it take to get big? <Too many variables to answer that. Triggers aren't going to grow very fast on flakes. Read FAQ's here on subject. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/trigfdgfaqs.htm I currently have a 90 gallon freshwater tank still inhabited, when these fish die I want to set up a tank for another triggerfish, my question is do I have to drain the water and re-fill with salt or just put the salt in and wait a couple of weeks? (of course there will be no fish in there). Why or why not can I do this? <Don't have the time to answer the whys and why nots, Its just a good practice to break down the tank, clean, rinse and start anew.> Anyway thank you so very much for your time and hope to hear from you soon. <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> cheers Jarryd Undulated Trigger Hi, I have read about the rogue (Balistapus undulatus, or the undulated trigger). I would like what is the minimum tank size for 1 of these without other fish, corals and invertebrates. Will use LR, Seio M620. <Since you've read about them, then you are aware they can grow up to one foot in a closed system. Keeping it alone, I would go with no smaller than a 70 for starters. James (Salty Dog)> Trigger Tank Size (5/15/05) 70 gallons I suppose? If that is the case. I have to return to the LFS. Thanks <An Undulated Trigger (or any other fish that attains a foot or more in length) really ought to be in a tank of six feet or longer. The minimum size I'd suggest for an adult is 120 gallons. That said, Triggers are fairly slow growing fish, so I could be OK in 75 Gallons or so for a few years. Hope this helps, Steve Allen.> Don't Sweat The Aiptasia- He's "Trigger Happy"! Hello -- WWM Crew <Hey there- Scott F. with you today...Had server problems last night- I don't think that my reply got to you intact...Got me on the laptop in bed this AM (scary imagery, I know-but a great way to do WWM work!) trying again!> I have a 125 gallon tank with a Undulated Trigger and a Huma Huma both about 4.5 inches. I am aware of the potential of both Triggers particularly the Undulated. My intentions are to get a larger tank soon. <Very good intentions, indeed! These guys will get quite large, and quite boisterous down the line. The 120 should be okay for a while, though> However the two get along fine now an occasional snap by the Undulated during feeding but they typically swim right next to each other without confrontation. The tank is loaded with coralline encrusted live rock which provides plenty of hiding places. I have two questions the first is how do you tell a Red Sea Undulated from the more nasty/aggressive I guess Indo Pacific?? variety/subspecies? <As far as I know-this species does not have any instinct geographic color variations. I did check a number of non-aquarium resources for you, and was unable to find any information in regard to this.> I understand Undulated Triggers are sexually dichromic --- I have a female with orange lines down to her mouth. <Yep- the sexual color variation is a fact. And I concur- you seem to have a female, as males do lose the orange lines around the snout as they mature> Reason I am asking is that I read the Red Sea can possibly become a long time tank mate with other predatory types --- but the other subspecies? Makes survival of a tankmate highly unlikely --- is this accurate? <To be quite honest with you, in my experience with this fish, as well as the experience of a few friends who currently maintain them- they are just tough customers, regardless of where they hail from. They tend to become more feisty as they mature. However, triggers are notorious for being "non-conformists" to our behavioral expectations of them in captivity! I have seen 10 inch Clown Triggers that seemed very "tame", and small Crosshatch Triggers (reputed to be more "gentle") just beat the @#$% over anything that they were placed with!> The second question is I have live rock with what appears to be anemones growing on them. The anemones?? are small and not very colorful ---kind of a caramel brown color. Does this description sound familiar enough for you to guess if they are anemones? <Yep- all too familiar, actually! Sounds a lot to me like the famous (or infamous, depending upon how you look at them) Aiptasia anemones! They tend to come in on live rock, and proliferate with remarkable speed in tanks with higher nutrient levels or bioloads (such as...a trigger tank!). Reefers freak out when they see Aiptasia because they tend to overrun other (desirable) sessile inverts and corals. However, in a FOWLR tank like yours, I would not be too concerned, other than to see if they are indicative of sub-par water conditions (probably not, though). The anemones(?) are multiplying and the Triggers don't seem to bother them at all --- My question is can Anemones and Triggers co-exist for long or will the triggers likely damage the Anemones?? <Well, I wouldn't go out an by that tank-raised Bubble Tip Anemone just yet! My personal theorem on anemones and triggers is that the possibility of the anemone becoming a chew toy for the trigger is directly proportionate to the value and attractiveness of the anemone! Just not a great idea, IMO. I wouldn' worry about the Aiptasia, at this point, however...Sounds like your pals aren't too interested in them- yet...Aiptasia are interesting animals in their own right- very efficient at what they do best...eating. In fact, Anthony (Calfo) has even gone so far as to suggest that they could be harnessed in a special raceway as a natural biological filtration supplement! They are that good at eating!> Thanks in advance for your response <My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by! Regards, Scott F>
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