Pink Tail Triggerfish
Updated August 6, 2019
Author: Mike - FishLore Admin
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The Pink Tail Triggerfish has a green body with mustard yellow like shading or under tones depending on the lights they are under. Sometimes the Pink Tail Triggerfish can look much darker under subdued lighting. They are found all over the Indo-Pacific and get to be about 15 inches (40 cm). Given their potential adult size you are going to need at least a 180 gallon (680 liters) aquarium or larger to keep this triggerfish long term.
The Pink Tail Trigger is just like other triggers when it comes to modifying the rock work to their liking. Keep this in mind if you have any loose fitting rocks to prevent damage to your fish tank, corals and fish. It is not a good idea to keep them with saltwater invertebrates such as shrimps, snails and crabs because they tend to view them like we view chips and salsa, especially as they get bigger. Feeding them is usually a breeze since they can be aggressive eaters. Give them a good pellet fish food (NLS is a really good pellet food) and throw in some variety a few times a week by offering meaty type foods like thawed meaty marine foods, clams on the half shell, Krill, mysis shrimp, chopped up fresh fish, etc. They may also eat seaweed if you're offering it to your tangs.
Like so many other triggerfish, the Pink Tail Trigger has a good personality but you need to keep them in larger setups with appropriately sized tank mates. When they are small they tend to be quite shy so give them plenty of live rock to hide in. They also like to lock themselves into rocks at night to sleep. Give them a high quality diet and they will be with you for a long time.
Pink Tail Triggerfish Care
Scientific Name : Melichthys vidua
Common Names : White Tailed Triggerfish
Care Level : Easy to moderate
Size : Up to 15 inches (40 cm)
Life span : 10 years or longer
pH : 8.1 - 8.4
Temperature : 76°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C)
Specific Gravity : 1.021 - 1.025
Carbonate Hardness (dKH) : 8 - 12°
Origin / Habitat : Indo-Pacific, East Africa to Hawaii, Marquesas and Tuamoto islands
Temperament / Behavior : these triggers are considered moderately aggressive when compared to other triggerfish.
Breeding : they form pairs and they are nest builders and egg guarders. Not sure of any home breeding success stories but that may begin to change now that a suitable sized food has been found to rear larvae.
Aquarium Size : 180 gallon minimum (680 liters)
Tank Mates : Similar sized and semi-aggressive species that can hold their own.
Fish Disease : Saltwater Fish Disease Section. Triggers are fairly hardy , but always Quarantine new arrivals!
Diet / Foods : They eat small fish, crustaceans, algae and detritus. A fortified and well balanced pellet can serve as their main diet and mix in fresh or thawed marine origin meaty type foods. During a study they were found following spawning fishes and eating the clouds of gametes.
Tank Region : All over the tank.
Gender : Not sure how to tell gender from external characteristics.
Forum : Triggerfish Forum
Photo Credit : Photos copyright JJPhoto.dk
References :
Michael, S. W. (2001). Marine Fishes, 500+ Essential to Know Aquarium Species. T.F.H. Publications.
More Triggerfish Profiles
Blue Throat Triggerfish
The Blue Throat Triggerfish is considered to be one of the least aggressive of the triggers and that is one of the reasons for their popularity in the aquarium trade.
Clown Triggerfish
The Clown Triggerfish can be very territorial and it's gets worse the older and bigger they get. They are pretty much not afraid of anything it seems once they reach around 5 or 6 inches in size. When they are smaller they may be a bit more reclusive and will appreciate having hiding spots and places to lock into at night with their dorsal fins.
Niger Triggerfish
The Niger triggerfish can get to be over 12 inches (30 cm) with some of the biggest being found in the ocean up to 18 inches (46 cm)! Given their potential adult size not many home aquariums are big enough to keep them in groups. Even keeping just one though you need at least a 180 gallon fish tank.