Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula)
Fish in the family Balistidae. Hard care. Not Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
Queen Triggerfish are deep-bodied fish with a compressed, oval profile. Their coloration is blue-green with yellow-orange markings on the head and around the mouth. They have prominent blue lines radiating around the eye and distinctive yellow-orange lips. Adults display a blue stripe pattern on the gill covers and body.
Diet and feeding
Queen Triggerfish are carnivores. In captivity, feed a varied diet of meaty foods including frozen shrimp, squid, clams, and quality prepared marine fish pellets. Live food should be offered occasionally to encourage natural hunting behavior.
Difficulty and care for the Queen Triggerfish
Queen Triggerfish are aggressive predators that require experienced aquarists. They consume crustaceans and mollusks, making them incompatible with reef systems. Their territorial and sometimes unpredictable nature demands careful tank mates selection and substantial tank volume.
Common health issues
Marine ich, Fin Rot, Swim Bladder Disease, Columnaris, Velvet
Origin and habitat
Western Atlantic Ocean, including the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean south to Brazil. Also found off West Africa in the Eastern Atlantic.
Log Queen Triggerfish in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Queen Triggerfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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