The Yellow-spotted Triggerfish or Blue-and-Gold Triggerfish is another beautiful triggerfish! This is a juvenile specimen since the caudal fin is more rounded.
The tailfin becomes emarginate as the fish matures. Adults will have filaments at the top and the bottom of the caudal fin. Also, the yellow stripes seen in this photo will evolve into spots as the fish gets older.
As with all triggers, to maintain a peaceful tank, be sure to provide the Yellow-spotted Triggerfish or Blue-and-Gold Triggerfish with lots of room and a cave or rocks to retreat into. Also house appropriate fish together that have similar needs and can hold their own. In this case larger protein eaters such as groupers, surgeonfishes, and basses, Some eels and puffers can be appropriate too.
- For more information on keeping this fish see: Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
Family: | Balistidae |
Genus: | Pseudobalistes |
Species: | fuscus |
Maintenance difficulty
The Yellow-spotted Triggerfish or Blue-and-Gold 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.
Habitat: Natural geographic location
Yellow-spotted Triggerfish or Blue-and-Gold Triggerfish are found in Samoa and islands of Micronesia to East Africa and the Red Sea.
Foods
All kinds of meaty foods including starfish and sea urchins.
Social Behaviors
Can be kept with a variety of other fishes. Don not keep with fish that are much smaller and will quarrel with fish of its own species. Also, these fish are not recommended for reef aquariums.
Sexual differences
The tips of the dorsal and caudal fins become more filamentous as the fish ages. It is more pronounced in males than in females.
Recommended light levels
Temperature
No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees fahrenheit.
Length/Diameter of fish
Yellow-spotted Triggerfish or Blue-and-Gold Triggerfish adults can grow to 55 cm (22 inches).
Minimum Tank Length/Size
A minimum 125 gallon aquarium is recommended for adults.
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
Will swim in all areas of the aquarium.
Availability
This fish is available from time to time and is moderately expensive.
- Beginner Fish – Saltwater fish for beginners
- Community Fish – Peaceful Saltwater fish
- Hardy Fish – Hardy Saltwater fish
Featured Image Credit: Vladimir Wrangel, Shutterstock