The diversity and plethora of livestock that has inundated the aquarium hobby in the past few years, is really astonishing. Not only are new species of fish, corals and invertebrates being bred or cultivated and propagated within the confines of four walls, a few windows and a door or two, but the possible overall benefits may be illustrated in the future preservation of our natural reefs of the world. Then their are the other inhabitants that have been consistently or that should be under strong consideration when adding to your marine portfolio thus enabling you to be fascinated and attentive in the underwater realm of the marine aquarium hobby. The Pinktailed Triggerfish is just one of many species of fish that can’t be eliminated from your list of possibilities for future inhabitants in your aquarium.
The Pinktailed Triggerfish is not as common as say, the Picasso, Bursa, Niger or even the Blue-Throat Triggerfish, however, as far as its personality and recessed temperament is concerned, the Pinktail makes a great choice. These colorful fish don’t come with the aggressive personality and bullying attitude often attributed and associated with many Triggerfish. Anyone, that has been in the marine aquarium hobby for a period of time or has knowledge regarding Triggerfish can tell you, that many of these fish are downright nasty. The Queen, Clown and Undulated Triggerfish come to mind without hesitation as bad boys within the Balistidae family.
Melichthys vidua or more commonly known as the Pinktailed Triggerfish hails from the Indo-Pacific region. Commonly encountered in the shallower regions of various reef biotopes, these fish feed on a variety of food stuff encountered there such as crustaceans and smaller fish. To replicate the dietary regime accustomed to these animals in the wild, a varied diet primarily of a protein nature is essential for vibrant color and health of the Pinktailed Triggerfish. They will consume vegetable matter, however, only when combined in a flake, pellet or frozen food such as Ocean Nutrition’s Formula two products. Feeding small amounts two to three times a day is ideal as you never want to love to overfeed or feed out of love for your prized fish, as this ultimately leads to disastrous results, not excluding liver problems and even death. Another unacceptable procedure is to feed a Triggerfish goldfish, comets or other similar feeder fish. So many times, I have seen this practice with serious consequences to Eels, Lionfish and Grouper species. Goldfish are not a suitable food source that can contain parasites and insufficient nutrient properties for these animals. there should be no reason to offer these animals an inadequate source of food, especially with the plethora of optimum foods on the market available almost anywhere, even at your local supermarkets fish department. Clam, mussel, shrimp, chopped up fish, crab and squid are just a small sampling of ideal foods to maintain a healthy Triggerfish.
Pinktailed Triggerfish attain roughly 14 inches in length. Females, usually are smaller than the males and less colorful as well. All species of Triggerfish are recognizable by its seven sharp incisor-like specialized bony teeth and two flexible dorsal trigger spines. This spines aid in a Triggerfish ability to seal itself in rock work, corals or any crevice it can fit into by locking it dorsal spine. The color varies from a deep forest green to an almost black coloration with lighter green and yellow hue highlights and black outlines along its dorsal spines. Melichthys vidua’s tail is white in the caudal peduncle region often leading to a deep reddish or pink color encompassing the rest of its tail. Males often develop streamers that extend beyond both ends of its concave tail.
Maintaining a Triggerfish is very easy as long as you follow a few key steps. House them singly in an aquarium at 75 gallons in size, offer varied, optimal diet, be careful of drastic changes in pH, salinity and alkalinity levels, and take the time to select a healthy specimen right from the getgo. The Pinktailed Trigger will do better when housed with fish of similar or larger size than it. Care should be taken when adding fish after it, and it is good practice to add your most aggressive fish last. This is a very easy fish to care for and, believe it or not, can be used to cycle a tank. I would refrain from using Grouper, Lionfish or Triggerfish however, and use Damselfish or frozen shrimp purchased at your local supermarket instead, to cycle a marine aquarium.
I would definitely weigh your options and not be quick to refrain from adding a Pinktailed Triggerfish, or other suitable species of triggerfish, to your livestock population.
Scott Michaels: Marine Aquarium Fish