Redtoothed Triggerfish (Odonus Niger)

Species Name : Odonus Niger

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Aggressive

Color : Blue, Green

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : No

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 1'

Origin : Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Family : Balistidae

Minimum Tank Size : 180 gallons

The Redtoothed Triggerfish (Odonus Niger) is a Triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area, and the sole member of its genus. Some other common names include Blue Triggerfish, Redfang Triggerfish, Redtoothed Filefish, and Niger Triggerfish.

The exact color of the Niger Triggerfish varies in this species of fish, and can also change from day to day between purple, blue and blue/green with a striking, lighter blue highlight on the fins and long tail lobes. The color temperature of the lighting also plays a role in the coloration of any fish in the home aquarium. As an adult, they acquire bright red teeth, and are normally dark purple in color with a blue/green highlight around their face making them quite interesting to watch when they eat.   It vocalizes using a "grunting" sound.

The Redtoothed Triggerfish requires a 180 gallon or larger aquarium with rocks and caves for hiding, and may rearrange the landscaping and rocks. They are also known to spray water from the surface, therefore care must be taken when placing electrical equipment. This species some times likes to biting rubber and plastics etc, which are found in an aquarium. Be aware of this, therefore place other objects in the tank which it will then examine as a natural food source.

These fish are generally very aggressive towards other fish, they should be given a lot of space to minimize their aggressivel behaviour. Generally speaking, it is difficult to find fish which live together with Triggerfish. It is obvious that small fish would fall victim to them, but also Lionfish, for example, would not survive the Triggerfish.

The Redtoothed Triggerfish needs a varied diet of meaty foods including; squid, krill, clams, small fish and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth. This fish requires feeding several times a day, especially when newly added. When the fish can find its natural food in the aquarium it requires less frequent feeding.  

Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Medium/Large: 3" to 4"; Large: 4" to 5"; X Large: 5" to 7"