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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Natural Range: Eastern Pacific, Pacific Ocean
Depth: 10 to 328 ft. Size: 12 in. Jumps: Space: 100+ gal.
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Easy Temperament: Caution
Diet: Large zooplankton, molluscs, crustaceans, small fish
Natural History: The Crosshatch Trigger is found above dropoffs on reefs around islands and along continents in schools. It is capable of making a 'grunting' sound. Males are more yellow and have a darker red tail. This triggerfish, like all, have a dorsal and ventral spines that can be erected to wedge themselves into rocks for protection.
Husbandry: The Crosshatch Triggerfish is one of the less aggressive triggerfish species. It can be housed as a male-female pair. It should be housed with live rock including spaces large enough for it to fit into. It will sleep in spaces where it can use its spines to lock it into position. It is strong enough to rearrange live rock if a hole or passage is not large enough. It often becomes tame enough to eat out of an owner's fingers, but it will also inadvertently bite. This species is highly sought after in the aquarium trade because it is colorful, reef safe, tame, and hardy.
AKA: Blue Cheekline Triggerfish, Redtail Triggerfish