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Blue Triggerfish

Black Triggerfish ~ Redtooth Triggerfish

Family: BalistidaePicture of a Blue Triggerfish, Black Triggerfish or Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
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I have had a Niger Trigger for about 2 years, and he is an excellent reef-mate. When I got him, I was told to be careful for smaller fish, inverts, my diadema and... (more)  Clayton

   Do you wonder where this fish got it's name "Redtooth Triggerfish? Well, this fish has red teeth!

   The Blue Triggerfish, Black Triggerfish, or Redtooth Triggerfish has an upturned mouth with a protruding chin and it's color is a blue to purplish-blue with it's head sometimes going yellowish.

   The first one of these that we saw came to the store wedged in a sea shell! The shell was the trigger's home and rather than try to remove it, the owner sold us the fish, shell and all. When we sold the fish to someone else, all we had to do was bag the shell so the triggerfish got to keep his own home through several moves.

   The Blue Triggerfish, Black Triggerfish, or Redtooth Triggerfish can often be a peaceful aquarium fish, especially if they have plenty of room and are well fed. We have read in one reef book that this triggerfish are okay to keep in reefs, we would still be careful about invertebrates though and keep a watchful eye out for any trouble.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium


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Geographic Distribution
Odonus niger
Data provided by FishBase.org
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Tetraodontiformes
  • Family: Balistidae

Maintenance difficulty:    The Blue Triggerfish, Black Triggerfish, or Redtooth Triggerfish is easy to keep. Triggers are among the hardiest of all marine fish.

Maintenance:    Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. We generally feed squid, shrimp (the same kind people eat), mussels, and all kinds of chopped up fish or worms.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    Blue Triggerfish are found in the Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa and east to the Marquesas and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef in Australia and New Caledonia. These fish Inhabit reef channels or along slopes that are subject to strong currents. Occur in current-swept seaward coral reefs. Usually form aggregations and feed on zooplankton as well as sponges. Juveniles associated with isolated patches of rubble or crevices with proper-sized shelter holes. They have been known to form large schools to feed on zooplankton.

Foods:   In the aquarium they should be fed all kinds of meaty marine foods, brine shrimp, cut up fish, shrimp, squid, etc.

Social Behaviors:    Sociable and peaceful, can be considered a community fish.

Sex: Sexual differences:    Unknown.

Light: Recommended light levels:    No special requirements.

Temperature:    No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:    Blue Triggerfish, Black Triggerfish, or Redtooth Triggerfish adults can grow to 25 cm (10 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 60 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom    No special requirements.

Availability:    This fish is generally readily available.

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Lastest Comments on Blue Triggerfish

Clayton - 2011-08-27
I have had a Niger Trigger for about 2 years, and he is an excellent reef-mate. When I got him, I was told to be careful for smaller fish, inverts, my diadema and other smaller creatures. Other than 2x having my fingers in the water (yes, ouch!!), my trigger has been a fantastic addition to my 180g DT. He leaves the little guys alone, and is not really all that aggressive to existing and new fish. He eats absolutely all foods I give, and is living the fat and happy life. he is probably 5-6 inches currently with fantastic streamers.

Reply
dorthy anne - 2010-03-18
I have a blue triggerfish and it digs holes so what i would suggest to stop the digging is don't put sand or dirt on the floor of the aquarium so there will be nothing to scratch at.

Reply
Lewis knox - 2010-11-30
Hey there,
I have a Niger triggerfish and every time I put a goby in it eats it. Is there any gobies I can put in that he won't eat?

Reply
Daniel - 2010-10-06
I have a Huma Huma Trigger in a 180 gallon tank does well with my corals and pulsating xenia have had no problems with him so far awesome fish.

Reply
Nik - 2009-08-22
My four inch blue trigger is very playful and interacts with me and its tank mates, which include a brown tang, regal tang, lemon peel, dottyback, clownfish and chromis in a 70 gallon tank. Today it started sticking its head out of the water and squirting water!

Reply
Art Wallrath - 2007-06-28
Niger Trigger: A beautiful deep blue color. Very shy when first introduced into the aquarium, but become much more active in about a week. My Niger Blue trigger is about three inches long and eats freeze-dried krill. No problems keeping a lionfish in the same 75 gallon tank... at this size.

Reply

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