Good Tankmates for Triggerfish

Triggers are bizarrely marked coral fish that exhibit vivid colors. Triggerfish swim by undulating their soft dorsal and ventral fins, while their pectoral or side fins are used for precision maneuvers. Their highly modified dorsal fin is used to lock the fish into rock crevasses at night. These fish have unusually strong jaw muscles and use their chisel-like teeth to feed on benthic invertebrates such as urchins, shrimps, crabs and clams. Triggerfish are aggressive and care is to be taken when choosing tank mates for them.

  1. Moray Eels

    • Moray eels are interesting aquarium inhabitants. These elongated marine fish are aggressive enough to be included as tank mates for triggerfish. Moray eels tend to be messy eaters and their tank is to be well-filtered. These saltwater fish require a cave for shelter. Take care when feeding them, as they give a painful bite. Offer food for the moray eel on the end of a long-handled aquarium tong. A number of moray eel species are suitable as companions for triggers, including the snowflake moray, zebra moray, starry moray, chain link moray and leopard moray eel.

    Angelfish

    • Angelfish are among the most spectacular of coral reef fishes. The large marine angels, such as the emperor, queen and king, are all suitable for inclusion in the triggerfish aquarium. These large marine angels are aggressive fish, which are easily able to hold their own in both the reef environment and captivity. The numerous large angelfish species are territorial and are normally found in monogamous pairs. Many of the large angelfish species change color drastically as they mature.

    Groupers

    • Groupers are robust and intelligent fish. Many are attractively colored, and although select types grow to be huge, a number of grouper species measure less than 12 inches long when mature. Groupers are active hunters, which typically swallow their prey whole. They prefer to lurk in caves or under overhangs, and do not bother triggerfish in the home aquarium. The panther or polka dot is a highly attractive, small grouper species, which is long-lived, hardy and well-suited to be housed in an aquarium containing triggerfish.

    Surgeonfish

    • Surgeonfish possess erectable spines at the base of their caudal or tail fin. These scalpels are razor sharp and are able to inflict serious damage to fish or aquarists alike. Often beautifully marked, surgeonfish are powerful swimmers and require a large aquarium. These laterally compressed fish spend most of the day foraging for algae, and enjoy the addition of blanched spinach in their diet.