niger triggerfish changes colors

knorsk · 09-07-2008, 12:39 AM

I have a niger triggerfish that changes to a pale color sometimes when he is fed or when he is pissed off and moving rocks around. Does anyone know why some fish do this. Another fish that does this is my friends sailfin tang.

Judge · 09-07-2008, 08:19 AM

Hi there Knorsk. Boy howdy a pic of this guy/gal would be great in the photo contest.

As to your question, the pale color is usually stress related and I expect will return to normal. I did not see mention of how big your tank is but sounds like you have a great selection of fish.
As far as moving rocks around, from what I understand about triggers, they are not mad, they like to move stuff around. It's just a normal part of their endearing nature. I have read that care must be taken, especially when they get big, to aquascape safely!

unclejed · 09-07-2008, 08:52 AM

I had a Niger (Mr. Plum) for 7 years. It is normal. Yes, it can be from stress but also excitement (feeding time) and sleep and stress of the sort that moving things around is like work! I would play with mine and move one of his favorite pieces of rock and he would "fade" on his nose and top of his head when he would put the rock back where he had it. So, it's normal. By the way, he loved to eat beef heart.

Dr.Fragenstein · 09-08-2008, 04:58 PM

Most fish will change color either at night or when stressed.
BTW unclejed beef heart is not a nutrienally compelete food, leads to fatty liver disease and its typically frowned upon esp. for marine fish as marine fish need slightly different amino acids, thats why most f/w and s/w are usually NOT intermixed. I would try silversides.

Just my two cents

Good luck

unclejed · 09-09-2008, 04:49 PM

He loved the beef heart, great source of iron and minerals.

Dr.Fragenstein · 09-09-2008, 05:15 PM

Yeah, but think about this, most people love McDonalds!
Without thread jacking I would urge anyone to avoid beefheart or limit its use to maybe 2x a week tops