Just like life, things never go as planned...

aquaknight

Active Member
Well this morning was interesting. Woke up to a loud, thump, thump, thump. The 55gal QT is in my bedroom, but it took a second or two to realize that's the sound the Lei Trigger makes when he's eating something. As my eyes try and focus, I see a small blue flash followed by the Lei. Then lots more of those thumps.
See what appears to be one of my chromis severely revenged, then the Lei, zoom over and hit it, like it was a silverside!

For whatever reason the Lei was trying to eat the chromis. He's been a perfect fish till this morning. One more chase and he gets the chromis by the head and it's game over. I scoop the now dead chromis out. Now fearful for my Spiny Burrfish, I watch the tank. The Lei continues to try and hunt the chromis as if it was still in the rocks for about 45mins. Meanwhile I notice Spiny do something he's NEVER done, lay down. After a quick lookover, he's fine, but extremely weird behavior.
Well during one of the Lei circles around the tank, I see the Lei turn broadside to Spiny, give him a couple tail whack then give a little nip. Nothing like that bone crushing sounds he makes when he's eating, but just a little nip to send a clear message.
After more watching, I notice the other chromis. Now a bit distraught because it's partner of 14months is now missing, is out in the open water. I wait for the inevitable, which never comes. The Trigger swims right by without a care in the world. After some more watching I notice the chromis go into the dark side of the tank (I turned on left light on, the right side is on a timer). The trigger is on the far left, sees him, and charges full speed for a hit. The chromis was able to sidestep, and swam to the lit side. Trigger now realizes it's a different fish and leaves him alone.
And that's pretty much how's it's been. I am acclimating Spiny to my 125gal. I just can't take that chance. So far the chromis is still fine and untouched. I'm just here trying to sort this out. The tank has been the same for awhile now. I only rised salinity to match my 125 (1.017 to 1.025), because it was time for the Lei to switch tanks.
This is sort of an obscure theory, but I wonder if the changed in the salinity affected the one chromis in a way, the Lei scented it, and went in for the kill? And the aggressiveness towards the puffer, was just a bit of either testosterone left over, and/or a bit of space stress from being cooped up in a 55gal for 3 1/2 weeks?
I was either going to put the Lei in the 125 today, or tomorrow. Wow. So sort of wondering now what to do. My brother said that maybe everything was a space issue, and in the larger 125, I doubt there'll be a problem? But in reality, a 125 is only a bit larger then a 55gal, in terms of usable dimensions, 2ft. longer, 7" deeper. But the main thing is the risk in the 125 with my other fish. A pair of percula clowns, my Blue Dot puffer, a Sargassum Trigger, a Leopard wrasse, and my beloved Blueface. Definitely would be fearful for the clowns, and have no idea how the reaction the Sargassum is going to be, either now.
I guess it's just a matter of chance, and if I want to risk it. The 125 is 227% larger then the 55gal. And this could just be a random act of violence. I mean, this is a trigger. But it would seem too risky now, for my other fish. So far, the plan is to keep the Lei in the 55gal with the other chromis, and see how everything plans out.
 

ca161406

Member
owch...hm id give it a try, maybe put the trigger in a clear container for a while in the tank and see what happends
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Well, a bit of an update, the 2nd chromis is now out and active, often times swimming right beside the Lei, and still uneaten, so that's a bit more confusing. I think I'm pretty set on this plan, leave the Lei with the chromis for a while and see what happens. I hate to use the term 'test,' but I think I will do that. Back down feedings and see how he does, and if he starts with the other chromis.
I can confirm two things, he did more then a nip to my Burrfish, as he has a solid bite mark across his back. But the other thing, he's definitely unhappy in that size tank. He's out and pacing the glass, so I'm ruling the aggressive towards the puffer as that.
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Well, the thing is, the way he after the chromis. It wasn't just one 'bam' and done. He was chasing, trying to get the chromis for over half an hour, I heard the trigger chomping away. And now, for him just to view the second chromis, as a buddy?
However, apparently lightning strikes twice. Went to feed my parents tank, and noticed their Lunare with something blue in it's mouth. A chromis in their tank. Him, the Humu and the Blenny I caught all were sharing
.
I've been in this hobby for a while now, and haven't seen/heard anything remotely like this. This struck up an interesting conversion with my brother and I, perhaps could chromis be viewed as food? Their coloring is awfully to the standard white/blue/gray coloring of most 'feeder' fish, lance/silverside/etc.
 

prime311

Active Member
I don't find that behavior from a Trigger or a Lunare at all surprising. Chromis aren't aggressive fish and thus make easy targets.
 
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