Bluethroat Triggerfish pacing glass

Andrew Stevens · Apr 19, 2023

Hello everyone,

I got a male bluethroat triggerfish 2-3 weeks ago and he's pacing the glass. See video below.

That's him at his worst, usually he will swim from one side to the other. Is this normal for a bluethroat trigger?

Details: Waterbox 5526 - 130 gallons display with 40 gallons more in sump. , 55" long, 26" wide and 24" high
Bluethroat Trigger is 3-4 inches long
Tank stocking- One bluethroat trigger, 2 clownfish, one melanurus wrasse, one midas blenny, one yellow watchman goby, one royal gramma
Tank parameters stable and within normal range

Thank you,

Andrew

JC1977 · Apr 19, 2023

IME not sure why but triggers in general tend to do this more than other fish. I don’t know how much I would be concerned about it as long as he’s eating well.

Andrew Stevens · Apr 19, 2023

Thanks for the feedback, that’s interesting to know about triggers. He’s eating just a lot, fingers crossed he will settle down soon.

kados · Apr 19, 2023

My Clowntrigger would literally pace the length of the back panel (180+gallon) all day.

Andrew Stevens · Apr 19, 2023

Kados, do you have any video of this? Wondering if it’s the same behavior or if it’s stress.

Idech · Apr 19, 2023

I can’t see the video but when I have a fish that does this, I cover the sides with a dish towel or something similar. Until the behavior stops for a while.

Andrew Stevens · Apr 19, 2023

Idech, I have a peninsula tank. Do you mean cover the length side or the end? Thanks!

Idech · Apr 19, 2023

Andrew Stevens said:
Idech, I have a peninsula tank. Do you mean cover the length side or the end? Thanks!

The end is where I suppose the fish paces ? Then that’s what I would cover.

If not then the length. Cover wherever he likes to pace the most.

Andrew Stevens · Apr 19, 2023

Gotcha. He paces length ways down the tank farthest from any human in the room. The side changes based on where people are in the room

kados · Apr 19, 2023

I

Andrew Stevens said:
Kados, do you have any video of this? Wondering if it’s the same behavior or if it’s stress.

I never took video of it doing it. It stopped after a few months. But I wouldn't be too alarmed honestly.

kados · Apr 19, 2023

Here's an older thread of someone else on R2R here. Thread 'Bluejaw Triggerfish Constant Pacing' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bluejaw-triggerfish-constant-pacing.314294/

Andrew Stevens · Apr 19, 2023

Thank you! This really helps, hope he settles down better soon.

Joj · Apr 19, 2023

My M/F blue throat paces too. They do it at different spots. My M will go back and forth in back panel while my female will do it in front panel and side panel. Did it on my 80g and also on my 500g too so I think it’s fairly normal. Had a Pinktail back in the day that paved back and forth in my 8 footer 640 g too. Only my clown trigger doesn’t pace