Picasso Trigger tank mates?

[zeroc]

I'm wondering what people would suggest for a Picasso Trigger. I moved my reef tank to a 75 gallon and using my 55 has a FOWLR. Currently only fish is a tiny 2" Picasso Trigger. Anyone have any suggestions for tank mates? the 55 will only be for probably a year no more then 2 and the FOWLR tank will be atleast a 125.

 

[wanabebell]

picasso just shouldnt be trusted IMO
even in a 125 so as far as im concerned tank makes should be strictly damsels. that way when your picasso flips you dont loose that much money in livestock
IMO

 

[2batrigger]

Originally Posted by ZeroC
I'm wondering what people would suggest for a Picasso Trigger. I moved my reef tank to a 75 gallon and using my 55 has a FOWLR. Currently only fish is a tiny 2" Picasso Trigger. Anyone have any suggestions for tank mates? the 55 will only be for probably a year no more then 2 and the FOWLR tank will be atleast a 125.
The list is long but i would recommend displacing the trigger and rearranging rock work/decorations. You could have a yellow, purple or sailfin tang. OR coral beauty, emperor or french angel. Harlequin or lunar wrasse. V tail, panther or minatus grouper or triggers like niger blue line or clown. Porcupine puffer is good choice too

 

[wanabebell]

most of these would be terrible tank mates
a coral beauty wont be able to compete with a trigger
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A BIG PANTHER GROUPER!!!!!!!!!!!HUGE HUGE HUGE to big for a 125
a mini would be an unholy terror
nigers are capable of getting 18 inches long
emporers angels get 15 inches long
frenchs may be the biggest angel around (def. in the aquarium buis)
blue lines triggers are one of the most agressive fish in the world
and if the picasso dosnt have a tank to himself, then the clown trigger deffinetly would
harlequin tusks are really not agressive fish and would get torn apart with any trigger thats in a bad mood.
porcupines also get huge ive seen them over a foot long.

 

[undulated guy]

he most likely meant blue throat trigger and i dont think a 55 gallon is suited for 2 triggers of any size. the picaso is ok for a year or 2 and will probably go on a murdering spree until hes all alone, this may take a while but will most likely happen

 

[zeroc]

Thanks all for the advice. So, no other fish sounds like the way to go. I've also been told they'll eat hermits and snails too, so those are out as well. So no fish, no inverts, no corals. Guess I'll have to get inventive with the live rock to decorate the place up a bit

What about a snowflake eel? Would they be able to peacefully exist if I fed them well?
If not I guess Picasso is going to get to keep his bachelor pad all to him self

 

[mcso5164]

I was told the Picasso should be fine with corals. Good luck with him, they are by far my favorite fish.

 

[seattle]

You can take mine uugghh...Shoud've said no to the one I have

I manage to keep mine with a Snowflake Moray with no Problems,and some snails and hermit crabs.
Sending Picasso to the lfs and getting some other fish

 

[2batrigger]

Originally Posted by 2batrigger
The list is long but i would recommend displacing the trigger and rearranging rock work/decorations. You could have a yellow, purple or sailfin tang. OR coral beauty, emperor or french angel. Harlequin or lunar wrasse. V tail, panther or minatus grouper or triggers like niger blue line or clown. Porcupine puffer is good choice too
you can keep a picasso with any of these. The size yours is it will work for up to 2 years no problem. Of course they need a bigger tank in the future. you don't know unless you try. I have done it with great success myself and others many times over. It's your tank if you want to see something swimming with it....try it. All indivual fish have their own personalities so success varies. If you know there's risk to it going in and prepare for what scenarios may occur you'll be rewarded with an awesome display. at least for a while.

don't always listen to the naysayers and know it alls.

 

[wanabebell]

hahahhahah everybody says no but you still say yes to everything

 

[jamparty]

truth of the matter is that with a 55 g tank...your picasso will eventually be the only fish in there. And then, it itself will outgrow the tank. If you choose to give it some tank mates, you must be very selective in your choice not only to select ones that can take the aggressiveness of the trigger but also be careful not to go overboard and overload your tank. IMHO, if I were to give it any tank mates, I would keep it to a maximum of 2 others...stretching it for 3. Triggers are extremely active though and swim everywhere it has access to. Please don't get any tangs. 55 is too small. I'd have to say damsels or go with a snowflake. As far as the other fish listed are concerned, Nay to all of them for the reasons of size already listed. good luck to you

 

[seattle]

Originally Posted by ZeroC
Thanks all for the advice. So, no other fish sounds like the way to go. I've also been told they'll eat hermits and snails too, so those are out as well. So no fish, no inverts, no corals. Guess I'll have to get inventive with the live rock to decorate the place up a bit

What about a snowflake eel? Would they be able to peacefully exist if I fed them well?
If not I guess Picasso is going to get to keep his bachelor pad all to him self

Snowflakes are fine with Picasso Triggers,Only fish my Trigger will accept

 

[zeroc]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I realize each fish has their own distinct personality, maybe my Picasso would be fine with a few other fish, maybe not. Only time will tell, but I'd rather not place anything else in with him that may up being a very expensive snack

Have decided to keep Picasso to himself, with a snowflake eel. For this new tank, I guess less is more.
Again, thanks! I couldn't have ever started my saltwater venture a little over a year ago without the help of these awesome forums.

 

[wanabebell]

great choice
I'm glad you understand the potentual of your trigger and didnt try anything else

 

[titan]

You need to choose tankmates that'll keep it at bay. I've had one for years now and the only tankmates that have been on the short end with this guy was a 3-stripe damsel and a starks damsel. They would hang out around his cave and try to tail swat him all day long; I suppose he could only take so much.
My Hummu is in with a near 10" Niger, 7" Harley tusk, 5" Vanderloosi Angelfish, 7" Coris Formosa, 4" spotted puffer, and a 2"YT damsel.
The pecking order from meanest to most passive:
Niger
Formosa
Hummu
Vanderloosi
Harley
YT Damsel
Spotted puffer
He harrasses my Tusk at feeding time once and a while that's about it. No small fishes (besides damsels) should be kept with this guy; I'd brought home a vibrant orchid dottyback that lasted 5 minutes. So, basicallly anything that's not small,baitfish shaped, and extremely passive should hang in there.
These fish have insanely high metabolisms, so "controlled heavy" feedings are a must. If not they'll start looking for other food sources

 

[2batrigger]

yep i thank you for your comments Titan. I hope thread starter does not get the wrong idea you have those fish in large tank correct. I am glad i am not the only one who believes it is possible.

 

[dsouth1103]

I guess its all on the personality of your trigger... My picasso or humu humu is really not that aggressive, until feeding time, then he will nip at and get in fights with my puffer and others in the tank. Dont even think about crustaceans like shrimp because i tried and the trig took it out before it could get to the bottom. I really want a harlequin tusk too and if i do ill tell you about how that goes.