Pseudechidna brummeri in a 75 gal – 04/28/08
Hello Crew,
<Hi.>
My question comes in regards to a white ribbon moray (Pseudechidna brummeri). Is it easier to keep than other ribbon morays?
<Generally easier to feed. Almost all of the ones I’ve seen in the last years have been doing well.>
I ask this because I saw one at my LFS which had been in their for over 5 months.
<Ensure it eats various types of frozen food. That's the most important thing.>
If it is would it be okay in a 75gal with an 7inch Indian Trigger?
<Melichthys indicus, could work. Tank size should be okay for the eel if well filtered. Your trigger species is generally more mellow and tends to leave other fish alone, but generally many triggers may occasionally try to bite the fins of other fishes, especially small eels. While it is improbable your Melichthys will do that, in case it exhibited aggressive behaviour before, I would not try, and even if you decide to try, watch closely for a while to see how they get along. Provide enough live rock and caves as shelter. Cover the tank tightly, since Pseudechidna can escape even through the smallest gaps. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2004/fish.htm  and a WWM search for Pseudechidna (your original spelling in this email was Pseudochidna, which is wrong and will not bring many hits) will get you further opinions. Cheers, Marco.>

Pinktail trigger ID  11/10/05
My LFS just received a Pinktail trigger in their last shipment. I have been trying to acquire one of these for quite some time. The question that I have is, are these fish known to be darker as a juvenile?
<Yes, generally so... more dark green to brown typically>
I have only seen a larger specimen in person, and it had an awesome green color. He is currently dark toned, but the fins don't compare to those of other triggers within this genus. So I am quite sure that it is a Pinktail.
James
<Likely so. Bob Fenner> 

Pinktail Triggers  9/10/05
I was curious to know if the Pinktail triggers were as hardy as the many other species.
<Mmm, I'd say "medium" for triggers... which is relatively "high" for marine fishes used in the aquarium interest>
This species is not as common in the areas that I live so information from first hand people is hard to come by.
Also, as other triggers do, can I expect a slow growth rate from them as well?
<Yes to the slow growth... an inch or two per year for the first few years. Bob Fenner>

Trigger selection question  9/9/05
Hi Bob.  I have been looking through your site-- it's great by the way--and I have a specific question that I was hoping you could answer.  I am switching a 75 gallon tank to a 110 gallon.  I currently have a snowflake eel, maroon clown, and yellow tang.  I want to add a trigger.  I have had Nigers in the past, but I was thinking about getting a pink-tail trigger or a blue-throat trigger as they seem to be less aggressive than the Nigers.
<Are>
I was also hoping to add a puffer--maybe a porcupine.  I am wondering if one of these trigger species tends to be less aggressive than the other, and also if there is a better choice of puffer for the tank.  Thank you for any advice you can give and the great website.
~Jocelyn  
<The Pinktail would adjust better to your conditions... but the "Lagoon" triggerfishes of the genus Rhinecanthus would be better still. Bob Fenner, working on a piece by coincidence on Balistoides conspicillum... having just split up the genus' FAQs ayer>

Pinktail Trigger Questions, behavior mostly 6/31/05
Dear WWM Crew,
    Me again.  You guys have been great at answering some questions that I
have had in regards to the Clown Trigger species but now I come to you with my
hat in my hand.
<Wow, quite an archaic reference!>
Yesterday, June 29th, 2005 I purchased a 4 1/2" Pinktail
Trigger from my LFS.  I was actually there when they got the shipment in and to
avoid 2 sets of acclimations back to back, I purchased it immediately in the
shipping bag and took him home to acclimate him.  After acclimation, he was
introduced to the tank
<No quarantine... to check for health, allow the animal to rest, recover?>
where he proceeded to swim down to the bottom and lay kind of
sideways where he then exhibited heavy breathing.  From what I have read this
so far is normal right?
<Yes>
After an hour with the lights off, I went back,
turned the lights on and he had found himself a nice rocky area to hide in.  He
spent the next 4 hours in that spot and then came out and began to swim around
and check out his surroundings.  At that time, I then introduced 2 small pieces
of freeze dried krill which he gobbled up happily before retreating back to
his cave.  Today he began to venture out more, checking small areas at a time
and then hurriedly swimming back to his cave.  I fed him 2 more pieces of krill
around noon which he greedily accepted, then around 4PM I offered a small
amount of garlic soaked Mysid shrimp which he devoured, then this evening 4 more
pieces of garlic soaked krill which again he devoured.  This all looks good
but he has yet to stay out in the open only checking small areas at a time then
retreating back to his cave.  The guy looks flawless aside from a couple of
things.  One of his eyes has a tiny what appears to be cloudy mark on it.  What
might this be?  A scratch??
<Most likely, yes>
Also his 2 front fins are a bright yellow along
with his tail that is suppose to be pink.  Is this normal or has he just not
gotten his adult colors yet.  Thanks in advance for your reply.  I am a little
concerned.                                                 
  Jeff K
<No worries re the color... regional, temporal... Bob Fenner>

Pinktail and Kole tang?
I have a 75 gallon aquarium with a 20 inch zebra moray eel and a 3 inch
coral beauty angelfish.  I would love to add a Kole (yellow eye) tang
and a pink tail triggerfish. Do I have enough room for a small Pinktail
to grow for a couple of years or is it too small. Thanks for the GREAT
website!!!
Julie Bryant, Marquette MI.
<Melichthys vidua gets about 15" long full grown, so yes, it will need to be moved.  I'd err on the side of caution and get this fish when you have a bigger tank, but it should do fine in their while small.  Won't pick on corals, shrimp, or any other desirable inverts.  A reef safe trigger!  The Kole is also an outstanding choice for a 'small tank' tang.  It should do fine.>

Pinktail Trigger
I was thinking about putting a 2 in Pinktail Triggerfish in my 55 gallon
aquarium along with a 2-3 inch Dogfaced Puffer. I was wondering how long could the
Pinktail live in the aquarium before I upgrade. I also was wondering if a 180
gallon aquarium would be good for both of the species listed above.  
Thanks,
Steven
>>>Hey Steven,
Although you will need that 180 gallon eventually (yes, it's an appropriately sized tank) your 55 gallon will work for maybe 2 years or so. Pink tails make great aquarium residents, and you can mix them with less belligerent species without any problems.
Cheers
Jim<<<

Question on Pink Tail Triggers
My question 2 part and is about co-existence and bio-load.  I would like to add a Pink Tail Trigger to my tank,  I am looking at one that is about 3 inches. I want to introduce him into a 55 gal. tank; in that tank is plenty of Coral; live rock and Black Sea Fan which is creating a lot of cover.
<Mmm, this isn't a good choice to place with corals... especially in such a small volume system>
This tank currently has a Huma Huma Trigger that is around the same size; this Huma Huma's got a little attitude as well.  Do you think that my Huma Huma will terrorize the Pink Tail Trigger? Is it better that a 50-50 chance?
<More than this... maybe 80-20... trouble>
I also have a Lunare Wrasse that is about 5 inches; he takes no back seat to the Huma Huma Trigger; I wonder if he will get along with the Pink Tail, what's your opinion.  FYI...I hate loosing fish.
<I would not add another, or even one trigger to a 55 gallon tank>
I also have a medium sized Scopus Tang, medium sized Tomato Clown and 2 Damsels.  I don't want to over populate the tank;
<Too late>
I know there is a way to determine that, could you tell me how to determine how many animals I can have in there before it becomes a problem; I do realize I will need to do a more frequent water change.
<There is no one universal equation or model of how many of what types will likely go, prosper, but I assure you, you are currently past a reasonable limit. I would remove the present trigger, not add any more fish/es>
Thanks and by the way, I am glad to have found this web site; it will be very helpful in the future.  
Tim / Hazleton, Pennsylvania.  
I hope to see this posted in the FAQ's.....
<You will. Bob Fenner>

Re: pink tail trigger ?
I was considering adding a pink tail trigger (Melichthys vidua) to my 46-gal reef tank.  Currently I have a strawberry Pseudochromis and several LPS (Trachyphyllia, Euphyllia, bubble, brain coral) sorry about the last two I can't remember their scientific names.  I also have a mid-size feather duster and several types of mushroom anenomes, and button polyps.  Before adding the pink tail I plan on also acquiring a  six-line wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) and adding a bicolor blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) from a different tank I have.  All my water parameters are good and I plan to do this over a couple month period with about a month in between each fish for quarantine purposes.  What do you think.
<I wouldn't place even a "nicer", "easier-going", "staying-smaller" species of triggerfish as the Pinktail in such a setting. The tank is too small and some of your current livestock would be likely to be sampled. Look for something smaller to go here instead. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Alex

Pink tail trigger in reef tank?
Thanks for the info last week regarding Emperor angel. I now have one on order..... to be received soon:-)
Another query I have. I know (well I think) you are interested in folks doing things a little different, well at least from an informed point of view (as opposed to just plain guessing), so maybe you might be able to advise on the following. I have a pink tail trigger, about 5". I have read recently that they are suitable for a reef tank. What is your opinion on this?
<this genus of riggers has been demonstrated to be relatively reef safe for it planktivorous feeding habits (unlike most triggers that are not reef safe). Still... the species grows quite large, needs a very long, large tank and is not guaranteed to behave like an angel>
The tank is 72"x18"x20" (18" of water). 
<not big enough for this trigger in the 3 year picture>
At the moment it is FO. The other fish are reef friendly species, and it is only lightly stocked. If water quality is adequate, and lighting upgraded a little, would it be a big gamble to introduce some hardy corals? 
<the corals would be safe form the trigger... fishes and shrimps are the concern if any. The Emperor angel will likely be a problem as an adult if not sooner with the corals>
The corals in question would be leather corals (Sarcophyton sp., toadstools, finger etc), star polyps and mushrooms. 
<good hardy corals>
Lighting would be 3 to 4 NO fluorescent tubes running the length of the tank. 
<probably not enough light at all. Do read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marlgtganthony.htm >
Flow in my tank is reasonable, at approx 10 volumes an hour.
Would you recommend trying this, or would it have a high risk associated with it?
<only a moderate risk... you may take it if you get soft corals only... no hard corals for at least a year IMO>
I assume he would, however, find shrimps, etc. a tasty treat!
<they may be too tempting indeed!>
Thanks for reading, Kind regards, Matt
<in kind, Anthony>

Pink Tail (trigger) size.
Dear Mr. Fenner:
Just stumbled upon your site. Have a few quick questions. How large will my Pink Tail (Presently 7") get in his 240 gal. home ?
<I take it you mean the triggerfish, Melichthys vidua: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/melichthys.htm To about a foot.> 
Also, this same 240 gal. tank houses several other fish including a Picasso (4"), three tangs (4-6"), five feisty Domino Damsels (2-3"), a beautiful Panther Grouper (8") and a magnificent 30" (yes we actually measured it) Zebra Moray Eel. Is my tank presently overloaded ?, and is 240 gal. ultimately too small for what I have ?
<Presently about topped off... I wouldn't add more>
All species have been in the tank for a 2-4 years and all is well to date. My four year old loves feeding the fish by hand. I hold her over the top of the tank and she dangles pieces of shrimp/clam/whatever just above the surface (she asks me to watch out for Mr. Eel).
<I wouldn't be concerned about the Eel so much as the trigger... or even the Dominos!>
The system contains a large volume of rock, a deep sand bed, a refugium, good skimmer, 2 power heads and 2 air stones. We love it especially since we got out of reef and discovered a vibrant fish only type system several years ago. Needless to say the triggers steal the show. Thanks for your time and for providing such an interesting web site.
Yours truly, Carl Paolucci III
<Thank you for your kind words, Bob Fenner>