Queen Triggerfish

Family: BalistidaeBalistes vetulaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Queen Triggerfish is a little rarer on the West Coast since fish from the Atlantic are not shipped as often. The Queen Trigger is a beautiful fish that can become hand tamed in time. Watch your fingers though, the front teeth are very sharp and can deliver a painful bite!

   Fish in the Balistes genus have been known to be possible troublemakers.

   Ways to keep a peaceful tank is to give the fish lots of room and hiding places. Then be sure to 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

Maintenance difficulty:    The Queen 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:    Queen Triggerfish are found in the Eastern Atlantic: Ascension, Cape Verde, and Azores; ranges south to southern Angola. Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to southeastern Brazil.

Foods:    All kinds of meaty foods including starfish and sea urchins.

Social Behaviors:    In the wild, Queen Triggerfish are found over rocky or coral areas. They may form schools, or are solitary over sand and grassy areas. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates. It preys on sea urchins by blowing water to overturn it and then attacks it where the spines are short. In the aquarium it can be kept with a variety of other fishes. It is not recommended to keep with fish that are much smaller.

Sex: Sexual differences:    The male is larger and more colorful than the female. The tips of the dorsal and caudal fins become more filamentous as the fish ages. It is more pronounced in males than in females.

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:    Queen Triggerfish adults can grow to 60 cm (24 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 125 gallon aquarium is recommended.

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

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.

Lastest Animal Stories on Queen Triggerfish View all 10 Animal Stories on Queen Triggerfish Add Your Animal Story

joe - 2006-05-01 This website is the best. I got so much info. Oh Yeah!! Reply

tony giacalone - 2004-03-17 I have had many different kinds of triggerfishes, and I have to believe that the queen is one of my favorites. They are beautiful fishes, and have a very interesting temperment. They do not hide a lot, therefore actually being able to view unlike some other triggers. (undulated!!) Very pretty yet as mine got older and bigger, became territorial and was the focus of my 200 gallon tank. Reply

Anonymous - 2004-11-29 I think your fish are so cool I will go to your web site every day. Reply

Auttum - 2006-03-05 thanks you guys, for this site Reply

Brenda - 2005-11-09 hey guys thanks for saving my neck. i needed to do a project for science and it was about the triggerfish and u guys saved me, and they are so adorable. Reply

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