Triggerfish
While they are generally considered monsters that will chomp invertebrates, a few species can make great reef fish. Other more aggressive species such as the Undulated Trigger, and Clown Trigger will sometimes be so aggressive that it is necessary to keep as the sole inhabitant of the aquarium. All will require large tanks, with good filtration.
| Common name | Image | Taxonomy | Reef safe | Care Level | Description | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assasi trigger | Rhinecanthus assasi | No | Easy | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | ||
| Blue jaw trigger / blue throat trigger | Xanthichthys auromarginatus | Widely regarded as the only reef safe trigger. | Moderate | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | ||
| Blue line trigger | Pseudobalistes fuscus | No | Moderate | 700155000000000000055 cm (21.7 in) | ||
| Bursa trigger | Rhinecanthus verrucosus | No | easy | 700123000000000000023 cm (9.1 in) | ||
| Clown trigger | Balistoides conspicillum | No | Easy | 700150000000000000050 cm (19.7 in) | ||
| Crosshatch trigger | Xanthichthys mento | No | Easy | A shy reserved fish when first added to the aquarium, comes into its own when it associates itself with the aquarist. Infrequently available | 700129000000000000029 cm (11.4 in) | |
| Goldenback trigger | Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus | No | Easy | Rarely available | 700135000000000000035 cm (13.8 in) | |
| Golden heart trigger | Balistes punctatus | No | Intermediate | 700161000000000000061 cm (24.0 in) | ||
| Halfmoon trigger | Sufflamen chrysopterum | No | Easy | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | ||
| Hawaiian black trigger | Melichthys niger | No | Moderate | 700150000000000000050 cm (19.7 in) | ||
| Lei trigger | Sufflamen bursa | No | Moderate | 700125000000000000025 cm (9.8 in) | ||
| Indian black trigger | Melichthys indicus | No | Moderate | 700125000000000000025 cm (9.8 in) | ||
| Niger trigger | Odonus niger | No | Easy | Among the more peaceful of triggers, can usually be kept in a community tank | 700150000000000000050 cm (19.7 in) | |
| Picasso trigger | Rhinecanthus aculeatus | No | Easy to Moderate | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | ||
| Pinktail trigger | Melichthys vidua | No | Moderate | 700140000000000000040 cm (15.7 in) | ||
| Queen trigger | Balistes vetula | No | Moderate | A large fish that should only be kept in very large aquariums. | 700160000000000000060 cm (23.6 in) | |
| Rectangular trigger | Rhinecanthus rectangulus | No | Easy | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | ||
| Sargassum trigger | Xanthichthys ringens | No | Easy | A shy reserved fish when first added to the aquarium, comes into its own when it associates itself with the aquarist. Infrequently available | 700125000000000000025 cm (9.8 in) | |
| Starry trigger | Abalistes stellatus | No | Easy | 700160000000000000060 cm (23.6 in) | ||
| Titan trigger | Balistoides viridescens | No | Moderate | Can only be housed in the largest of marine aquariums | 700175000000000000075 cm (29.5 in) | |
| Undulated trigger | Balistapus undulatus | No | Easy | Probably the most aggressive fish kept in marine aquariums. Older specimens should be housed alone. | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | |
| Whitetail trigger | Sufflamen albicaudatum | With Caution | Easy | 700122000000000000022 cm (8.7 in) |
Read more about this topic: List Of Marine Aquarium Fish Species