Blue Throat Trigger - Aggressive Towards Small Fish?

geckoejon · Aug 8, 2022

Hello,

any thoughts or experience on a blue throat trigger being aggressive towards smaller fish?

I have a Waterbox 180.5 = 60x24x28, 137g dt, 30g sump, lots of rock w/ caves… low on nutrients…

current stock powder blue, yellow tang, 2x ocellaris, midas blend, lawnmower blenny, and I want to add some Anthias…

my main concern would be the male blue throat munching on any smaller fish??? Thoughts?

Glenner’sreef · Aug 8, 2022

geckoejon said:
Hello,

any thoughts or experience on a blue throat trigger being aggressive towards smaller fish?

I have a Waterbox 180.5 = 60x24x28, 137g dt, 30g sump, lots of rock w/ caves… low on nutrients…

current stock powder blue, yellow tang, 2x ocellaris, midas blend, lawnmower blenny, and I want to add some Anthias…

my main concern would be the male blue throat munching on any smaller fish??? Thoughts?

Had a female BT years ago with no problem. Good luck.

i cant think · Aug 9, 2022

Blue throats are much less aggressive to some of their larger relatives. Chances of them munching on smaller fish are very slim. They also aren’t designed to munch on fish/coral, instead they are planktivores.
I would say your main risk is the powder blue. These can be nasty once established and almost never allow new fish in the tank after them. You would be best getting the trigger at the same time as the anthias as then you’ll have a much more dispersed aggression and chances of success will rise.

geckoejon · Aug 9, 2022

Thanks for the feedback…

I ordered a male blue throat and 1.3 anthias. Hoping it goes well!

I’ve always thought triggers were very bat like with their fins & wanted one… Will see in a couple weeks…

JaaxReef · Aug 9, 2022

I had one that needed to be re homed after he relentlessly chased a couple of my fairy wrasses, one of which he ended up biting their entire tail off and she died before I got him out. I definitely had a bad experience though. Not likely the norm. Just know every fish is different.

RSnodgrass · Aug 9, 2022

You must have small fish yet. My experience with them is good temperament but have a strategy to move on to another system after its over 3". Mine is perhaps 4-5" now and will bolt the 6' across my display in a fractional second.

Should be noted (you perhaps know) that good temperament is often related to space and 30 gal is a size that will likely bring out aggressive behavior in it and your tangs as they grow in just a few months time.

*I would not put in a 30gal ever unless it was temporary.

Slicktop · Aug 9, 2022

I have a female and she not aggressive at all towards other fish or inverts. She is a PIG when it comes to feeding time

geckoejon · Aug 9, 2022

@JaaxReef that stinks… sorry to hear that… I know it’s kind of a gamble. The majority of my research has shown success. I’m hoping this one works…

@RSnodgrass I’m not sure what you are referring to, unless you misread my post & tank dimension? My sump is 30g. Display is 137g.

RSnodgrass · Aug 9, 2022

geckoejon said:
@JaaxReef that stinks… sorry to hear that… I know it’s kind of a gamble. The majority of my research has shown success. I’m hoping this one works…

@RSnodgrass I’m not sure what you are referring to, unless you misread my post & tank dimension? My sump is 30g. Display is 137g.

Ya I'm wearing the dunce hat on this one. You'll love it then, way less aggressive than a powder blue. By comparison I have nine with an Achilles and several other tangs (all more aggressive) but they pay no attention to him.