Niger Triggerfish Problems...(and I don't have any answers!)
Greetings all, I've gone ahead and forwarded this, as I can't seem to find anything that is specific to this problem with "first teeth"(?). Any help, whether a direct answer or pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Marina
I have had a Niger Trigger almost 6 months. A week ago, he stopped eating ( for 6 days) and is constantly hiding is his rock. I have done all the tests necessary, and everything is normal. The temperature in the tank is around 80-81. He lives with an eel and a crab, and everyone gets along fine.
Recently he started growing teeth. I called a guy who raises tropical fish and he said that the Niger Fish won't eat because he is teething and it hurts him to eat. I've read an article on your site that said when they quit eating that something is amiss.
I am really worried about him. If you need any additional information
Thanks for your time,
Anne Marie
<A few species of Triggerfishes tend to develop "external teeth" with growth, size... most obvious is the Niger. I suggest adding some whole hard material foods to this animals diet (shellfish, crustaceans). Assuming it resumes feeding (which it very likely will), this matter will help in grinding the teeth down to manageable size. Bob Fenner>

Niger Triggerfish Problems...
>Hello, Anne Marie.  Sorry for not getting right back to you, but this query has me stumped.
I have had a Niger Trigger almost 6 months. A week ago, he stopped eating ( for 6 days) and is constantly hiding is his rock. I have done all the tests necessary, and everything is normal. The temperature in the tank is around 80-81.
>This is on the warm side.  I suggest lowering to 76-78F.
He lives with an eel and a crab, and everyone gets along fine.  Recently he started growing teeth.
>This is the confusing part, I've never seen a toothless trigger, not even planktivores like Nigers.
I called a guy who raises tropical fish and he said that the Niger Fish won't eat because he is teething and it hurts him to eat.
>If your fish were a human baby, that *almost* might make sense, but having raised two of my own (and helped one sis w/two more) it still doesn't really make sense.
I've read an article on your site that said when they quit eating that something is amiss.
>This would be true of just about any fish I can think of.
I am really worried about him. If you need any additional Information please e-mail me.
Thanks for your time, Anne Marie
>Well, Anne Marie, as I said, you've got me stumped.  With *most* triggers (and puffers, and fish that haven't got "proper" teeth) one must provide them with the crunchy exoskeletons of arthropods and crustaceans to help keep their teeth worn down.  Without knowing what you've been feeding your fish, I can't say whether or not this might be a problem.  Also, because Niger triggers are just about the *only* "reef-safe" trigger (because of their normal feeding habits), I cannot declare that you must either begin feeding this fish these foods, nor can I say with any certainty that you must take matters into your own hands and do any trimming of any kind.  Would you be able to provide any pictures?  Also, specific water quality parameters are always helpful, as are dates of introductions, and any/all other changes noted in your logs.  Marina

Re: Niger Triggerfish Problems...
>Thank you for replying.
>>Oh hon, that's what we're here for!  You're very welcome.
>After I received your email, I slowly lowered the temperature down to 76-78 degrees. Yesterday he was laying on his side in the rock, but when I woke up today he was still in his rock, and floating
normally.
>>Good.  I also received a bit of information from Bob, just in this morning.
>My Father has been feeding him a different kind of food. He bought Gamma Shrimp from Fosters and Smith Catalog. It comes in a thin frozen package...and My father would break a piece off and throw it in the tank. (He decided to tell me Sunday night.)
>>I don't think there's anything wrong with that, except that here you were panicking thinking the fish had stopped eating altogether!  I'm not familiar with this shrimp, but Bob suggests that you feed the fish shrimp with their shells on (this is what I was going to suggest), it's what we do for most all other triggers and puffers to help wear down their teeth.
>I usually go to the pet store and buy him a couple Roseys or I feed him a cube of frozen shredded shrimp.
>>? Roseys?  I will strongly suggest not feeding anything live.  It's great to give them a boost, or if you're trying to get animals into breeding fettle, but not necessary when all others.  Plus, there is much the chance of introducing disease into the system--bad thing.  Also, if these Roseys are a freshwater animal, they're going to be very bad for the fish's health in the long run, has to do with the differences in fatty acids found in freshwater vs. saltwater.
>(I usually let it warm up on its own.) I'm going back to my feeding routine today.  I will try to send you pictures today. Again, Thank you very much...Anne Marie
>>I think that if the fish is eating, and you start feeding him the crunchies once or twice a week (at least) he'll soon be on his way towards normal growth (assuming he isn't already).  You're very welcome, Anne Marie.  Marina   

Niger Triggerfish Problems...
>I tried feeding him the shrimp, but he will not come out of the rock. I took the rock and then tired to feed him, but he would not eat. My Father said he will eat when he gets hungry, but its been 7 days.
>>Your father's right.  Have you tried the whole shrimp yet?
>When I took the rock out he was swimming around, looking like his old self, and was a little angry. I put some of the shredded shrimp in the tank, and he would not eat anything.
>>Ok.  Leave the decorations in place.  Removing them like this will only increase stress.  Why are the shrimp shredded?  Give him whole, and if you don't want them just lying in the tank then use a feeding stick (easily devised with a piece of clear, rigid, acrylic tubing and some zip ties).
>When I put the rock back in the tank, he swam right back in and will not come out. Should I take the rock out altogether?
>>No.  Let him be for a bit.  Fish can go quite a while without eating, 7 days is nothing.
>The only concern I would have with that is the eel would have no place to hide. ( The eel is a Snowflake eel...I don't think I told you that...) Well, Thanks for the quick response again...Anne Marie
P.S. I got the email from Bob...Thanks
>>You're welcome, Anne Marie.  Just leave things be.  As a matter of fact, I'd withhold food specifically from the trigger for two or three days.  Feed only the eel.  He'll get the idea and come out when he wants.  Marina

*Trigger foods  9/26/05
Hello,
I just received a Niger trigger and he is by far the coolest fish I have ever owned! So what kind of veggies should I feed him? Spinach, lettuce, Nori, etc.?? Thanks Ben
PS I have been feeding him krill and flakes.  <It's quite obvious that no research was done on the trigger before purchase.  Triggers are not algae eaters... Eat meaty foods, eat crabs, shrimp, urchins in nature.  James (Salty Dog)>

Re: trigger foods  9/26/05
hello,
sorry about not being very specific. I know that they eat meaty foods but require a diet of veggies. Some people told me that they need to eat some veggies once in awhile. Or are they lying? Thanks
Ben
<Balistids will eat, try most anything... will get all their necessary nutrients through meaty and prepared foods. Bob Fenner>

Trigger Diet –  - 03/22/06
I have a 6-7" Niger Trigger and was wondering about feeding and his teeth.
<Okay.>
Is shrimp with the tail on enough, or should I use some in shell clams to keep his teeth worn down?
<Both are viable options, and I would utilize both as variety is key in the diet of marine fish.>
  If clams are a good option, I understand I would pry them open partially before feeding, until he got ******
the hang of it, and later he would open them himself.
<That would be a good method.>
My question is, what do I look for in a clam other than marine origin?
<They should be raw and uncooked.>
Do I rinse in freshwater first?
<Yes I usually rinse my food in R.O. water before feeding.>
  Is there a better food for this purpose?
<Anything of marine origin with a hard shell is fine for this purpose.>
Are there parasite, contamination risks?
<If you are worried about this you can freeze the food prior to feeding.>
I have read through all the trigger feeding and health FAQ's and the articles, but couldn't find an answer.
<Really? This is a common question, especially with puffers.>
Thanks so much for any information you can provide...you have been a great help to me in the past with my aquariums.
<Anytime, good luck. Adam J.>