The Triggerfish belong to the family Balistidae, which is made up of approximately forty species in eleven genera. About half of those species are commonly seen in the hobby, and they are some of the most intelligent, hearty and attractive fish available to the marine aquarist. Triggerfish are named for their "trigger," which they use to secure themselves inside crevices in the reef (or rockwork in the case of the aquarium). These are gregarious, readily recognizable fishes that can either be a fantastic addition to your reef tank or the end of it. Choose wisely, and do your research carefully. Canine teeth, crushing strength jaws and insatiable appetites can make short work of a fully-established, extensive reef tank.
Triggerfish hail from all warm waters throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indo-Pacific, and they all have a generally uniform shape with their name-sake "trigger," a square tail and a body covered with plate-like skin. Many have beautiful markings and are without a doubt the most personable fish in the hobby. While many species only grow up to a foot in length, there are some triggerfish that are three times that size.
Xanthichthys and Melichthys are more zooplankton feeders and less prone to going after small fishes (as long as these smaller fishes are aggressive like dottybacks and aggressive dwarf angels) and coral. Watch out zooplanktivores like chromis and small cardinals.
Of the so-called reef safe triggerfishes, species from the genera Xanthichthys and Melichthys are the clear choices with the former thought by many to be even more reef safe than the latter. They generally stay small (under a foot), and they have relatively peaceful dispositions. Members of the genus Xanthichthys, like the Blue Jaw Triggerfish (X. auromarginatus) are considered the most mild-mannered triggerfish species available in the hobby, and they happen to be beautiful to boot. Growing to only a foot in length, this peaceful triggerfish is rivaled only by the triggers from the genus Melichthys for consideration in a community reef tank. Like all species from the genus Xanthichthys, the Blue Jaw Triggerfish feeds primarily on zooplankton in the water column, and so it requires plenty of swimming space. The upside of their diet is that they tend to not go after sessile invertebrates as often as other triggers do, but the downside is they may go after other zooplanktivores such as chromis or cardinals. The Blue Jaw Triggerfish is sexually dichromic and is often offered in pairs in the hobby.
As was stated above, in addition to triggerfish from the genus Xanthichthys, species of the genus Melichthys can also do well in a reef tank. The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish (Melichthys niger) is another good, albeit larger (up to 20 inches), choice for the community aquarium. Like the Blue Jaw Triggerfish, the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish feeds from the water column and, consequently, does well in similar habitat. The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish is reported to be more likely to eat ornamental crustaceans and small peaceful fish than the Blue Jaw Triggerfish. The Pink-Tail Triggerfish (Melichthys vidua) is the only other triggerfish commonly available in the hobby that should be considered reef safe. In fact, it is many hobbyists favorite reef-safe trigger given that it is smaller (to 16 inches) and generally readily available (read cheaper). Again, like the Blue Jaw Triggerfish and the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish, this fish is a zooplanktivore that feeds in the water column and is more likely to ignore invertebrates and corals (although this fish is known to eat ornamental sponges).
If you are not looking for a trigger that is reef safe, the seven species of triggerfish from the genus Rhinecanthus (the most well-known being the Picasso Trigger, R. aculeatus) are worth considering. Keep in mind, however, that while they make great peaceful community fish when young, they notoriously become supremely aggressive as they get older. While these triggers have incredible personalities, they also have a penchant for rearranging the aquarium and eating just about any and all invertebrates. Matter of fact, they will eat just about anything (they are particularly notorious for going after lionfishes' spines).
Species from the genus Sufflamen, like the beautiful Lei Triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa), are perhaps the best bet in a non-reef safe triggerfish that is well-suited for the home aquarium. Species in this family are far and away the most peaceful triggerfish, and most stay relatively small (under a foot). Some hobbyists even report that species such as the Whitetail Trigger (Sufflamen albicaudatus) can be kept in a reef tank set-up.
The triggers in the genus Balistapus, such as the Clown Trigger (Balistoides conspicillum), are all territorial and aggressive. Beware especially of the Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula). While this species is not the most aggressive of the genus, it is (at two feet in length) the largest. Species from the genus Balistapus should not be kept in a reef tank as they will consume everything. As adults, many species in the genus can only be kept with larger and more aggressive fish in large fish only systems. The same can be said for most species in the genus Pseudobalistes, like the Blueline Triggerfish (Pseudobalistes fuscus). While this fish's gaudy coloration make it a great addition to a community tank as a juvenile, it will become belligerent and very aggressive and must be kept with other very aggressive fish that are able to defend themselves. This fish is perhaps best know for redecorating your tank and disturbing the sandbed in its constant quest for infaunal invertebrates.
When selecting a triggerfish, it is generally best to purchase young specimens (under five inches in length) and allow them to mature in your tank. If you start with a healthy specimen, chances are that despite balistid's susceptibility to infection, they will be hardy and long-lived. Regarding their propensity for infection, triggerfish also happen to bounce back faster than almost any other fish, and they respond quite well to a wide range of treatments commonly available to the aquarist.
In conclusion, triggers are undoubtedly personable, hardy and attractive fish. They can be the real darling of a large marine system or they can turn into a veritable terror. The responsible aquarist will do their research carefully and consider the more peaceful reef-safe genera of Xanthichthys and Melichthys or the relatively peaceful (and not reef safe) Rhinecanthus and Sufflamen. If you decide to dabble beyond these genera, make sure you have a big, fish only system and that you choose aggressive tankmates that are the same size or larger than the triggers.
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