Should I do it?

grouperhead

grouperhead

Active Member
Ok, I know a guy who is moving out of town. He has a 55g tank w/ black wood stand already with water, live sand, and 45lbs liverock. It has all the filters, powerheads, lights, etc. He is offering it to me for $325. I'm thinking of getting it for one fish, an undulated trigger. All the books I've read have said 55g minimum tank size. If you've kept a undulate, could you tell me if you think he would be ok in this? Undulates are one of, if not my favorite fish. So, would you do it, or do you think the tank would be too small? Bo
 
salty james

salty james

Member
Never had one the horror stories scared me away.
From what I have read they get up to 6", so I would have thought that a 55 with plenty of hiding places would be sufficient.
Hope this helps,
 
zuisas

zuisas

New Member
I have an undulate by himself in a 72 bow and think your 55 would be just fine. His name is gengis kahn, for good reason. My guy will waste anything I have tried to put in with him in a few minutes, so be carefull about that. He is fat and happy in his own tank, although he is still shy when being watched. Loves krill more than anything. He is from the red sea and has freckles on his face, so doesnt really look like a killer but he is. Ive had him about 2 months and so far he hides and stays away when I'm in working on the tank. He developed a small case of ich but was easilly cured with hyposalinity of 0.019 and a rise in temp to 82.He really likes to find hidding places, so if you want to see him more arrange your rocks so he will have places but that you can also see him in. He will rearrange the tank, and doesnt seem to like fake plants too much. He is not shy about pulling them out and tearing them up. I think he might have even tried eating one. Good luck and hope you enjoy your guy as much as I like mine, You dont often find folks that like these guys on this chat line.
 
grouperhead

grouperhead

Active Member
Thanks guys, I think I'll go for it. JW, I think I'm still getting a nice deal on the tank. I'll go to the lfs this afternoon (shipment day :)), and see what they get. They usually don't get undulates, so I doubt theyll get one today. Thanks for the replies guys. Bo
 
leopardshark

leopardshark

Member
i would recommend at least a 135 gallon for any trigger. when rock goes with any trigger they tend to gnaw away at it. Ive seen it at the shedd aquarium . but it's your decision.
 
grouperhead

grouperhead

Active Member
when rock goes with any trigger they tend to gnaw away at it
What does that have to do with every trigger needing a 135 gallon tank? Undulates stay relatively small (only reaching about 9", which is a monster), so a 4' tank will be fine. I keep my picasso in a 4' tank (albeit 6" wider, and he is content.) I already have the tank and all set up, and I think I'm getting the trigger Tuesday. I'll get a report up if I get him then. Bo
 
beach bum

beach bum

Member
I think 55g is good for undulate, especially considering how slowly they grow. BUT, I will give of vote of no, to even the count here. I have kept two undulated triggers at different times. The first I had for quite awhile and it 'never' got in the habit of swimming in the open, except maybe when the room lights were off or during feeding. It grew to about 5+" before it died (my fault).
The second one I got because I really wanted to see what an adult undulate looked and behaved like. I took my time with finding a specimen that swam in the open at the LFS, healthy, etc... After acclimating it was the same behavior - hide, hide, hide. I tried him alone initially, then thought some dither fish would bring him into the open more - no go. I returned him.
Also a client I set up a tank for recently also included an undulate, same behavior.
It is a nice idea if you have $325 burning a hole in your pocket, but honestly I think you'll get bored.
fwiw, :)
 
jdl/dayton

jdl/dayton

Member
Smart move though keeping it by itself. Guess your one of those who like to keep the baddest of the bad. I would be scared to clean it myself. Well maybe with a chainmail glove that went up over my elbow........Good luck....and keep a first aid kit handy!!
 
grouperhead

grouperhead

Active Member
The tank is up and running. Still waiting for the lfs to get me a good looking undulate. I have a mag-float that I use to clean tanks, so that really isn't a problem. I don't feed my fish by hand either, so maybe that will take away some of the had nipping while cleaning or whatever. Undulates are one of my favorite of fish, and IMO are the prettiest of all triggers. I don't think the lfs will be getting it this week (manager going on vacation) so I'll have to wait. Oh well, it will be worth it. Bo
 
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