Circle of Life at the LFS

[alarmguy66]

I just got back from the LFS, and I saw a brutal display of what a triggerfish can do.

The Trigger was a Niger, and a juvenile at that, but I was watching him and his tankmate, a clown wrasse. The wrasse caught my eye because it didnt look so good, kinda listless and dull. Suddenly the Niger exploded into the wrasse and over a period of 15 minutes or so just ripped him to shreds. I know it sounds morbid, but I couldnt help but marvel over how effective the Niger was in immobilizing his prey without ever endangering himself. Is this typical of all triggers or was the weakened fish too enticing for the trigger to pass up? THe Niger was beautiful, and Ive read they are the most passive triggers, but I dont think I will ever have one if they cant play nice with others.

 

[jamal-188]

Wow, I didin't think they were that violent with other fish, maybe like you said because the other fish was weak or ill?

 

[TriggerHappy]

That's my boy!
Seriously, though, I never thought they would attack other tankmates like that, he musta sensed weakness.

 

[Sneaker]

I had a niger trigger and I gave him to my friend cause he out grew my tank, he is beautiful and friendly, I used to pet him all the time and he loved it.

They are supposed to be the calmed of their kind but each fish has a personality regardless...

 

[RodneyCK]

I had a Picasso trigger, a small one, once and he chased everything in my tank. I eventually had to give him back to the LFS. It was a shame, they have great personalities, just need some anger management lessons, LOL.

RodneyCK

 

[shawmutt]

Thank you for getting that stupid Lion King song stuck in my head

 

[CountZero]

I have a juvie Niger Trigger and he is pretty mellow. He's been in the tank now for just a few months with 4 different damsels and has not even nipped any of them. He is by far the largest in the tank, but I guess he is mellow. They do have great personality though. He comes to the "Feeding Corner" when I come near the tank and will actually take a mysis shrimp from my fingers. He does a cool little dance if I stand there and stare at him with my face close to the glass as well.. He should be a Clown trigger

 

[MACATUA]

My best guess is that he felt the weakened fish was easy prey. That is common in the real world, so why not in an aquarium?