Hawaiian Black Trigger fish
- Thread starter juniors04
- Start date
aquaknight
Active Member
There are two fish commonly referred to as "Hawaiian Black Triggerfish;" Melichthys niger -- which is the technically correct Hawaiian Black, and there's Melichthys indicus, commonly called Indian Triggers.
Melichthys indicus are the more popular fish and the fish you want. The two fish look very similar, but the way to tell them apart, is by their tailfin, Indian's have a 'traditional' fish tail, a smooth curve, while Hawaiian's have a crescent shape.
The problem with Hawaiian's is that they usually are only collected large, over 7", and grow to be a very large fish, almost 20". Where the Indian trigger's can be had in the 4"-5" range, and stay a smaller size, usually not reaching over 8" in the aquarium.
The first pic is an Indian, the second is a Hawaiian (notice the tail). An Indian would be a great addition to your tank.
Melichthys indicus are the more popular fish and the fish you want. The two fish look very similar, but the way to tell them apart, is by their tailfin, Indian's have a 'traditional' fish tail, a smooth curve, while Hawaiian's have a crescent shape.
The problem with Hawaiian's is that they usually are only collected large, over 7", and grow to be a very large fish, almost 20". Where the Indian trigger's can be had in the 4"-5" range, and stay a smaller size, usually not reaching over 8" in the aquarium.
The first pic is an Indian, the second is a Hawaiian (notice the tail). An Indian would be a great addition to your tank.
aquaknight
Active Member
Originally Posted by kmart189
http:///forum/post/2970614
he said he has a 300 gallon tank why not get the bigger fish?
These triggers are very active. IMHO, a large adult Hawaiian Black may not find a 300gal to be enough.
A smaller, less aggressive Indian, is also a better choice with his stocklist. Many also find the Indian to be the better looking fish as well.
http:///forum/post/2970614
he said he has a 300 gallon tank why not get the bigger fish?
These triggers are very active. IMHO, a large adult Hawaiian Black may not find a 300gal to be enough.
A smaller, less aggressive Indian, is also a better choice with his stocklist. Many also find the Indian to be the better looking fish as well.
kjr_trig
Active Member
The 2 Aqua mentioned are similar aggression wise, at that size I would guess it is an Indian Trigger, though I have seen Black Hawaiians at that size before...I do disagree with Aqua on this however, given an 8 foot tank I would take the more beautiful Black Hawaiian in a heartbeat over the Indian, they are listed at getting to 20 inches on fishbase, but I have seen thousands in Hawaii in the ocean, 99% were under 1 foot.
Back to aggression, on a scale of 1-5...1 being Sargassum or Blue Jaw, 5 being Undulate, Queen and so on, these guys are typically a 2 and a decent community fish as long as you have fish capable of defending themselves which you certainly do....Very personable fish, they swim right up to people snokling or in glass bottom boat....I would definately add him to your tank.
Back to aggression, on a scale of 1-5...1 being Sargassum or Blue Jaw, 5 being Undulate, Queen and so on, these guys are typically a 2 and a decent community fish as long as you have fish capable of defending themselves which you certainly do....Very personable fish, they swim right up to people snokling or in glass bottom boat....I would definately add him to your tank.
