Originally Posted by
Titan
Nigers being planktivors generally don't eat hard shelled crustaceans, but I'm not saying they won't; they are a triggerfish. I've had emerald crabs un-touched, but hermits have been caught looking for a shell upgrade. Usually by my Hummu first, and the Niger joins in. Their jaw/tooth design doesn't enable them to be proficient invert killers; un-like Hummu's, Undy's, Queens etc...With large gapped fangs and tiny teeth inbetween; these guys prefer to bomb around the tank injesting bite sized mysis. Anytime I feed large mussel's or clam he has a hard time ripping it apart. You are aware these fish get big, and a 180GL tank will be needed? Usually they obtain 12-15" in length and get "thick"; some even reach 20" with streamers. You'll want to keep that lobster well fed; they've been known to go fishing ing the night
Agree
Also, I have never seen a triggerfish hide much except when they are first introduced to the tank. My trigger doesn't mess with the inverts, he is well fed and has plenty of rubble rock to chew on and play with. I taught him to fetch. I pick up a small rock and drop it somewhere in the tank and he gets it and puts it in the corner every time and then I give him a treat, usually one krill and he loves it.
I believe triggers need to have their minds stimulated as they are very smart fish and can be trained. If you don't then they can get weird kind of a like a dog that is penned up in a small yard all day and never gets taken on a walk or gets much attention. If a dog doesn't get that attention he craves then he can get violent or just plain wierd like starts digging or chewing up stuff.
