Animal-World > Marine - Saltwater Fish > Triggerfish > Clown Triggerfish

Clown Triggerfish

Big-spotted Triggerfish

Family: BalistidaeBalistoides conspicillum

   This has got to be the most creatively designed fish! What an incredible combination of patterns, and fun colors! The Clown Triggerfish or Big-spotted Triggerfish just makes you want to smile!

   The Clown Triggerfish or Big-spotted Triggerfish is one of the most spectacular looking marine species. The round spots on the lower side of the body and the 'cigar' lips give it the name 'Clown'.

   Like all triggers, they need lots of space, a cave or rocks to retreat into, and house them with other appropriate fish that have similar needs and can hold their own. These guys are usually expensive but are very hardy once they are eating well. They are worth every bit of the price because of the unique appearance they will give your aquarium!

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

Maintenance difficulty:    The Clown Triggerfish or Big-spotted 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:    Clown Triggerfish or Big-spotted Triggerfish are found in the Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Durban, South Africa and east through Indonesia to Samoa, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia. Lives in clear coastal to outer reef habitats. Occurs in clear seaward reefs adjacent to steep drop-offs. A solitary species. Uncommon to rare throughout most of its range. Adults usually seen along deep drop-offs, swimming about openly and may retreat to caves when approached. Juveniles secretive in small caves with rich invertebrate growth.

Foods:    In the wild, the clown triggerfish diet consists of sea urchins, crabs and other crustaceans, mollusks, and tunicates. In the aquarium they should be fed all kinds of meaty marine foods, cut up fish, shrimp, squid, etc.

Social Behaviors:    Aggressive, do not keep with smaller fish. Do not keep with invertebrates!

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:    Clown Triggerfish or Big-spotted Triggerfish adults can grow to 50.0 cm (20 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 100 gallon aquarium is recommended.

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

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

Availability:    This fish is available from time to time.

• Balistoides conspicillum : $169.99
• Balistoides conspicillum : $119.99

Balistoides Conspicillum Clown Trigger Medium Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $169.99

Balistoides Conspicillum Clown Trigger Small Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $119.99

Lastest Comments on Clown Triggerfish View all 11 comments on Clown Triggerfish Add Your Comment

johnny kap - 2009-10-25 I have a clown triggerfish, a picasso triggerfish, and a panther grouper in a 10 gallon tank and they are doing fine so far! They never fight and when they do it seems they are just playing. They are great fish! Click For Replies (6) John - 2010-05-10 :o I hope you're joking... that's just wrong and incredibly cruel. None of those fish belong in a 10g tank! By now, I'm guessing all three would have either died from ammonia poisoning or killed each other... do a little research before buying fish; what you're doing is called animal cruelty. Steve - 2010-10-18 These fish should never be placed in a 10 gallon tank. This tank is way too small. They definitely would fight. Mike - 2010-12-12 Really???? In a 10 gallon?? chris - 2011-01-10 For those fish you need at least a 100 gallon tank. That's wrong. Hew Janus - 2011-02-09 You need to do a lot more research into what you are buying and what its needs are. Saying you have had one of these for ages (7 months) is talking rubbish.... they can live anything up to 25yrs. get to 20" and become more and more aggressive as they get older. As they mature the become very territorial, and will fight and kill any other fish in the tank. They need at least a 200 gal Tank. And they need mental stimulus. Learn before you buy. As you are just wasting your money and killing a pet. jacson - 2012-01-06 I like the clown triggerfish. Reply

Julia - 2010-03-13 Yah, I have to do a report at scool and I found this website it's the best I've found yet! Click For Replies (1) chessintra - 2010-11-11 Same here it's so good. Reply

some fish lover! - 2009-10-23 I have a clown triggerfish with a picasso triggerfish and a yellow tang and even though they fight they make great aquarium pets! Reply

NP - 2009-09-10 I had one then my undulate ate his eyes out and tore him up! Reply

aqua lion - 2008-09-08 I have had a huma huma and two clowns, they're great! The clown I have currently is the smallest in the tank yet continues to slightly bully his larger dogface puffer cousin. He is in constant display mode, patrolling the tank like a beat cop. Reply

andrew james pole - 2006-04-13 one time i had a clown trigger. he had been in my tank for 7 months and i had bought a mandari. when i put it in he didnt go for him and i was very shocked. each time i turned on the light each morning i got up, i always saw the trigger and mandarin both touching each other under the rock. the trigger was tilted over the mandarin and they both swam together, so they must of become friends. my 1 foot panther didnt go for him and so he looked like he was well fed by me. i am andrew pole in southampton Click For Replies (1) bargain girl - 2010-04-10 Hi andrew pole in southampton! It looks like you love your hobby of marine fish. how are you doing at the moment? What fish do you have? Reply

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