Common name: Blue triggerfish
General information
The Blue Triggerfish, also known as the Rippled Triggerfish or Yellow-spotted Triggerfish, is a striking marine species recognized for its robust body, strong jaws, and vibrant coloration. Pseudobalistes fuscus is a member of the Balistidae family and is known for its unique ability to lock its dorsal spine as a defense mechanism. This species can grow quite large, reaching up to 60 centimeters in length, and exhibits a distinct behavior of rearranging substrate and rocks, which can be fascinating to observe in an aquarium setting.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 750 liter (200 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 45 cm (1′6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Needs large tank, can be destructive
- Diet
- Omnivore Prefers meaty foods, occasional veggies
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at corals and inverts
- Aggression
- Aggresive Aggressive, especially when mature
- Captive bred
- No
- Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPufferfishTetraodontiformes
- FamilyTriggerfishBalistidae
- GenusTriggerfishPseudobalistes
- SpeciesBlue triggerfishPseudobalistes fuscus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
- SynonymsBalistes caerulescens Rüppell, 1829Balistes fuscus Bloch & Schneider, 1801Balistes rivulatus Ruppell, 1837
Care
Caring for a Blue Triggerfish requires a spacious aquarium due to its size and active nature. They are known to be aggressive, particularly towards smaller tank mates or those with similar body shapes. It's essential to provide plenty of hiding places and a varied diet that includes meaty foods like shrimp, squid, and fish. Due to their tendency to rearrange the tank, secure all rockwork and decorations.
Reproduction
In the wild, Blue Triggerfish are solitary and come together only to breed. They are demersal spawners, meaning they lay their eggs on the substrate. The male guards the nest until the eggs hatch. Reproduction in the home aquarium is rare and challenging due to their size and territorial nature.
Habitat
Pseudobalistes fuscus is found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit lagoons and coral reefs, often seen at depths ranging from 4 to 75 meters. Their natural habitat includes areas with plenty of live rock and sandy substrates where they can forage and hide.