Common name: Clown triggerfish
General information
The Clown Triggerfish, Balistoides conspicillum, is a striking and popular species in the marine aquarium trade. Known for its bold pattern of large white spots on its black belly and yellow lips, the Clown Triggerfish is a visually captivating addition to any large marine aquarium. Its dorsal fin is marked with dramatic black and white lines, while the lower half of its body features large white spots on a dark background, giving it a distinctive appearance.
This species is known for its intelligence and can often be observed manipulating objects within its tank, showcasing a level of curiosity and cognitive ability that is fascinating to watch.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 750 liter (200 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 50 cm (1′8″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Needs large tank, can be aggressive
- Diet
- Omnivore Varied diet incl. meaty foods & veggies
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at corals and inverts
- Aggression
- Aggresive Aggressive, especially with tank mates
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPufferfishTetraodontiformes
- FamilyTriggerfishBalistidae
- GenusTitan TriggerfishBalistoides
- SpeciesClown triggerfishBalistoides conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
- SynonymsBalistapus conspicillum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)Balistes conspicillum Bloch & Schneider, 1801Balistoides conspicillium (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Care
Clown Triggerfish require a spacious aquarium with plenty of room to swim and areas to hide. They can grow up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) in length, so a large tank is necessary. They are known to be aggressive, particularly towards smaller fish and invertebrates, making them best suited for a fish-only or species-specific setup.
A varied diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, and fish is essential for their health. It's important to provide them with a hard-shelled food item occasionally to help wear down their ever-growing teeth.
Reproduction
In the wild, Clown Triggerfish are solitary breeders. Males prepare and guard the nesting sites where females lay their eggs. The eggs are adhesive and attach to the substrate. After spawning, the male continues to guard the eggs until they hatch. Breeding Clown Triggerfish in captivity is challenging and rarely successful due to their territorial nature and specific breeding requirements.
Habitat
Clown Triggerfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters across the Indo-Pacific region. They prefer reef environments with plenty of rocky crevices and caves for shelter. Typically, they inhabit depths ranging from 3 to 75 meters (10 to 250 feet).
Their natural range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa across to the central Pacific, including the waters around Japan, Australia, and various Pacific islands.