Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys) breeding

Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Blue Jaw Triggerfish, Gilded Triggerfish or Blue Chin Triggerfish are found throughout the Indo-Pacific, East Africa to Hawaii.

Their range extends in the Indo Pacific from the Mauritius eastward through northern Australia to the Hawaiian and Society islands, north to southern Japan.

Blue Throat Triggerfish are usually encountered in loosely formed groups of their range around the rocky ledges and drop offs of current swept seaward reefs that are rich in invertebrate growth, where they feed on copepods and other zooplankton near the bottom.

Although Blue Throat Triggerfish are Benthopelagic and have been collected at depths from 25 to 500 feet, they are more commonly found in small aggregations at moderate depths from 60 to 480 feet hovering several feet above the ocean floor.

Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)

Male and female Xanthichthys auromarginatus are easily identifiable.   Males have a grayish blue body color with gray to white spots in an interesting linear pattern, metallic blue rings around the eyes, a blue throat, and dorsal, anal, and caudal fins outlined in bright yellow. Females lack the blue throat and yellow bordering on the fins.

Blue Throat Triggerfish are a relatively docile species that can be housed with other similarly sized fish in a mature FOWLR or reef tank of at least 180 gallon capacity with a sandy or coralline substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among with plenty of free swimming space.

They require a good filtration system with sufficient protein skimming and a wave maker for moderately strong water movement.

Although they are considered reef safe and ignore corals and sessile invertebrates, being triggerfish, they will go after smaller fish, ornamental shrimp, and other crustaceans.

Blue Throat Triggerfish can be housed in small groups of one male and two or more females, however, keeping more than one male in a tank is not recommended.

Xanthichthys auromarginatus are seldom successfully bred in an aquarium environment.

Like Melichthys vidua, Blue Throat Triggerfish pair up to build nests to deposit their eggs. Males and females guard their eggs against predators until the larvae are hatched out.

Due to lack of a sufficient food source, triggerfish larvae bred in captivity normally do not survive, however, a new type of food has recently been developed for tropical fish keeping enthusiasts that is expected to make aquarium breeding of these species more successful.

In their natural habitat, Blue Throat Triggerfish feed primarily on copepods.   In an aquarium environment, they do well on a mixed diet of meaty foods including fresh or frozen Mysis shrimp, squid, clams, krill, sponge, small fish, and vitamin or Spirulina enriched brine shrimp. They will also accept marine omnivore pellets and dried seaweed on a veggie clip if you have tangs in the tank. Feeding a balanced diet including flake, pellets, frozen meaty foods, and herbivorous foods will keep them healthy.

Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) are available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online suppliers and specialty fish shops at prices that vary according to size and area of collection from $60.99 – $299.99.

Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-82° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 12″
Color Form: Blue, Gray, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef with Caution
Origin: IndoPacific, East Africa to Hawaii
Family: Balistidae
Lifespan: Over 8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate