Blue Jaw Trigger - Xanthichthys auromarginatus - Large Male
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Details
The Blue Jaw Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) is a spectacular and hardy fish, the male exhibiting the prominent blue throat section that gives this fish it's name. Females lack this patch, but both sexes will also have a light blue-grey body coloration, with olive coloration covering the mid part of their body. The dorsal and anal fins of mature males are outlined in yellow.
These triggers can be kept in some reef tanks and will not normally bother most corals and stationary inverts but may prey on some crustaceans like shrimp. They are zooplankton-feeders in the wild, feeding mostly on copepods and other small animals in the substrate. A male and female can be kept together in larger systems.
Triggerfish are easily recognized by their distinct body shape and a thick dorsal spike that can be raised and lowered at will. When these fish feels threatened, is ready for sleep at night, or wants to secure itself against strong wave action, it can use the spine to wedge itself into a hole or crevice. Once a trigger has secured itself, it is next to impossible to remove it from its hiding place. These fish may lay on the bottom of the tank or hide in a corner if they can't find an adequate place to feel secure, so they appreciate rock or other ornaments where that can retreat. Use caution when netting these fish as the spines and rough scales can become tangled in the mesh.
Triggerfish are voracious carnivores and will need to be fed a varied diet of meaty foods including freeze-dried or frozen clam, krill, shrimp, and other similar items. They generally cannot be housed with inverts such as crabs, clams, urchins or crabs as these will be seen as a quick snack. Tank mates should be chosen carefully, and they should be large enough and tough enough to hold their own against a feisty trigger.
Be aware that these are very active fish, spending most of their time in the open searching for food or other fish to chase. Some can be downright mean, killing tank mates or biting electrical cords, fingers, or anything else that breaks the water's surface. Be aware of the temperament of any trigger species you may want to house in a tank before they are introduced. Even small triggers can cause big issues as they mature or become established. Triggers from the genera Pseudobalistes, Rhinecanthus, Balistes and Balistoides are generally the most aggressive species and should not be kept with corals, inverts or small fish. Odonus, Melichthys, and Xanthichthys genera are generally less aggressive or destructive and some may even be kept successfully in community or reef aquariums but be aware that they still may prey on inverts (especially crustaceans) or on smaller tankmates.
Specifications
Specifications | |
MPN | F91 0007 0811 |
Manufacturer | That Fish Place |
Common Name | Blue Jaw Trigger - Lg Male |
Scientific Name | Xanthichthys auromarginatus |
Difficulty | Easy |
Reef Safe | Yes, with caution |
Invert Safe | No |
Community Safe | Yes, with caution |
Max Size (in inches) | 12 |
Min Tank Size (in gallons) | 120 |
Origin | Indo-Pacific |
Specific Gravity Range | 1.020-1.024 |
pH Range | 8.0-8.4 |
Diet | Carnivore |
Temperature Range | 75-82 |
Internal Id | 23852 |
State Restrictions |
Alaska |
Armed Forces Americas |
Armed Forces Europe |
Armed Forces Pacific |
California |
Hawaii |
Puerto Rico |