Red-Toothed Triggerfish (Odonus niger)
Fish in the family Balistidae. Expert care. Not Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A sturdy triggerfish with a dark gray to blackish body and distinctive bright red or orange teeth visible when the mouth opens. The body is laterally compressed with a blunt head and small eyes; dorsal and anal fins are angular and elongate.
Diet and feeding
Feed a varied diet of meaty foods including chopped squid, shrimp, clams, and high-quality pellets. Provide 1–2 times daily in smaller portions. These fish benefit from hard-shelled foods like snails and crustacean pieces to wear down their ever-growing teeth.
Difficulty and care for the Red-Toothed Triggerfish
Moderate - Requires some experience due to specific dietary water or tank requirements. Best suited for intermediate aquarists.
Common health issues
Marine ich, Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder, Hole-in-the-head disease, Velvet disease
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to Hawaii, including East Africa, Indo-Malaysian Archipelago, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Log Red-Toothed 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 Red-Toothed Triggerfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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