Caring for the Red-Toothed Triggerfish

The Red-Toothed Triggerfish (Odonus niger) is named after the prominently visible red teeth that it has as an adult. The scientific genus Odonus is of Greek origin and is also a reference to their teeth. Without close inspection the Red-Toothed Trigger might seem unassuming from a distance – but that is far from the truth. When dismissed as simply black, these fish are done an injustice. The truth is that they are a beautiful ombre of purple and dark blues to green teals that form a stunning image when you get to appreciate a mature fish up close in an aquarium setting. The red teeth only add to this, a total departure from the color scheme and a bold highlight – almost as if these fish put on bright red lipstick for a night out! The dorsal, anal and caudal fins are all a light electric blue. In classic pelagic trigger form the mouth is small, with fine teeth designed for eating planktonic prey items they find in the open water. The beautiful lunate (think crescent moon) caudal (or “tail” fin”) has long, trailing edges that accentuate as the fish grows older. These stunning fish can reach a length of almost 16” in the wild, and will require a large aquarium. Triggerfish swim using their dorsal (top) fin, and with an anal fin that mirrors the second dorsal fin. The first dorsal fin also has a spiny portion that allows these fish to “trigger” into place in rocks or crevasses keeping them safe from predators when threatened, generating the common name of their family, the triggerfishes or balistidae scientifically.

Red-Toothed Triggers are widespread throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans ranging from the eastern coast of Africa to Hawaii in the Pacific. These stunning fish can reach a length of almost 16” in the wild, and will require a large aquarium. They are found South past the Barrier reef in Australia and North to the islands of Japan. These fish can live in a variety of depths ranging from ten feet to almost 150 feet of water. Their preferred habitat is steep reef slopes or channels with strong flow where the tides will push planktonic prey items to them as they swim into the current, maintaining position. The reef also plays an important role in their lifestyle however – juveniles will stay close to rubble zones and small cracks just large enough for them to fit into. This helps them avoid predation while small. The adults can also do this, but will do it less as fewer things can feed on them at their size.

These fish are hardy and recreating an appropriate habitat for them is achievable for the home aquarium – as long as you are willing to dedicate the space. Given their maximum size of sixteen inches, ones should be prepared to eventually provide a habitat with at least 24 inches of width and height. In American standards this essentially means a 180-gallon aquarium. A 120-gallon aquarium also meets that width standard – but a powerful swimming fish such as a trigger needs to be given as much room as possible to stretch their fins so to speak – more space will always be better. Smaller specimens will prefer more rock work in the aquarium with plenty of places for them to explore and to scurry into if they are feeling threatened – but as they grow this need will diminish. Attempt to recreate that rock wall with some strong directional flow – preferably one that switches to emulate the changing of the tides in their natural habitat. They will spend most of their time swimming into this current – so modern controllable pumps are great at allowing you to program a schedule that will switch the strength of flow and simulate those tidal changes. Red-Toothed Triggers are usually regarded as “not” reef safe, but these fish should really be broken into two different categories: fish that eat corals, and fish that do not. Red-Toothed Triggers will not eat your corals and shouldn’t harass your motile (moving) invertebrates too much either. While they are known to occasionally target sponges and other reef dwelling invertebrates, they get most of their nutrition from planktonic food in the current. Keep this in mind – your cleanup crew will most likely get picked at as well as sponges, but for the most part these fish can be incorporated into a reef aquarium without too much hassle. Aggression towards other fish is the biggest issue that you will face with these fish in the home aquarium, but providing plenty of space and a good stocking density will help spread the aggression out a bit.

As planktivores most of their food should be presented in the water column and fall into the category of small meaty prey items. Foods like enriched brine or mysis and krill are best for recreating what they would normally eat in the wild. They are not picky eaters and will quickly take to most foods provided to them. That said, variety is the spice of life and good for their health. Larger meaty items will also be relished – but it may just take them longer to eat all of it due to their mouth size.

Red-Toothed Triggers are pretty good parents, descending to the sandy bottom near their reef where they will spawn, laying sticky eggs onto sand. The eggs hatch within 24 hours and the parents will both cooperate in caring for their nest and eggs. The male will protect the nest while the female tends the eggs.

Red-Toothed Triggers are a great choice for large community tanks or when accommodations are made to large reef aquariums as well. Their colors at full size are truly miraculous and growing one of these fish out over the course of years will be a rewarding experience that leaves you with a water dog like pet. Contact your local fish store today and ask them to order you a sustainably sourced, Red-Toothed Trigger from Quality Marine today!