Niger Triggerfish

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Common name: Niger Triggerfish, Redtoothed triggerfish, Rredtooth triggerfish
Scientific name: Odonus niger
Max size: 20 in / 50 cm
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.020-1.025
Temperature: 72-78ºF (22-26°C)

The Niger triggerfish aka Redtooth (ed) triggerfish is a popular aquarium fish and one of the few triggers that can be found in schools and that you can keep more than one of in the same aquarium. The species is quite common in the trade and if your local fish store doesn't have it in stock they should be able to order it for you. You can also order one yourself from one of the many online dealers sell marine aquarium fish. The Niger triggerfish can grow to be 20 in / 50 cm but seldom grow larger than 10 in / 25 cm in aquariums. They live to be about 10 years old. Their lifespan in the wild is even longer.

The Niger triggerfish is a beautiful fish that can look a little different depending on mood. Usually the Niger triggerfish has a completely blue body. The further back on the body you look the softer blue it becomes. This fish can however sometimes display green color as well. The edges of the fins are bright blue. When they fish get excited, it can vocalize a grunting sound.

The Niger triggerfish is usually not aggressive towards other fish species but can become aggressive with age. They are tolerant towards other Niger triggerfish and it is possible to keep several in the same aquarium as long as all of them are introduced to the aquarium at the same time. They can be kept in community aquariums with other larger fish that are not too timid. They should never be kept with small fish as they may eat it.

The Niger triggerfish is not to be considered reef safe. It eats ornamental shrimp and other invertebrates and although it usually doesn't eat coral they will try to rearrange everything in the aquarium which can damage and/or knock over corals.

Be advised that the Niger triggerfish have sharp teeth and can bite if they feel threatened. Being bitten by a Niger triggerfish is something you don't want to experience.

The Niger triggerfish originates from the Indo Pacific Ocean. They are found from the African east coast to Marquesas and Society islands. You can find them as far north as southern Japan and as far south as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and New Caledonia

Niger Triggerfish care and aquarium setup:

The Niger triggerfish can grow very large and even though they almost never grow to full size in aquariums they'll need an aquarium no smaller than 75 gallon /300 L. A bigger aquarium is better if you want to keep more than one. In the wild, Niger triggerfish live on coral reefs and you should try to mimic this environment in your aquarium. You should decorate the aquarium in such a way that a lot of hiding places like caves and overhangs are formed. It is important to always have caves of suitable size for the Niger triggerfish in the tank, otherwise it will not feel secure and at home in your aquarium. Make sure that you fixate the decorations as this species like to rearrange things. Choose whatever bottom substrate you see fit.

The Niger triggerfish prefers a well lit well circulated aquarium. They also need shaded areas with calmer water where they can rest. The Niger triggerfish is a large fish and as such it creates a lot of waste, which makes powerful filtration important.

Best suited for "fish only" and "FOWLR" tanks. They can do a lot of damage in reef aquariums.

Ideal conditions for the Niger triggerfish is pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, and temperature 72-78ºF (22-26°C).

Feeding Niger Triggerfish

The Niger triggerfish eats just about everything in the wild and will do the same in an aquarium. They usually accept flake food and pellets. They should be fed a good varied diet. A good diet might be centered on flake food that is complemented with frozen food, chopped up sea food and vegetables. The Niger triggerfish is an omnivorous species and it is important to include vegetables in their diet. Feed your Niger triggerfish 1-2 times a day. Adult specimens can be fed more seldom.

Breeding Niger Triggerfish

The Niger triggerfish has, as far as we know, not been breed in aquariums. As it is a large fish it is safe to assume that breeding the Niger triggerfish would require a very large aquarium (pond) to provide them with enough space to display their spawning behavior.

Triggerfish Articles:

Arabian Picasso Triggerfish – Rhinecanthus assasi
Clown Trigger – Balistoides conspicillum
Picasso Triggerfish – Rhinecanthus aculeatus