Red-Toothed Triggerfish - Philippines

Odonus niger

Triggerfish are very unique in appearance and behaviors. They are most commonly known for being aggressive, however, there are some species that are considered only semi-aggressive like the Red-Toothed Triggerfish. Do not house with smaller or timid fish or they can become a snack. Aggression can be amplified in smaller tanks. To make the Triggerfish feel at home make sure the rockwork has ample hiding places and is sturdy. For continued health provide a varied diet of meaty foods, multiple times a day. Since they have teeth, the Triggerfish needs to be fed foods with a shell to keep them from overgrowing. Cautionary note, since all Triggerfish have these sharp teeth and may bite when they feel threatened. A good time to work in aquariums that have triggerfish in them is after feeding. This specific Triggerfish is a planktivore, and thus much less likely to bother corals and other invertebrates. They will grow to be a pretty large size of 10” and will need ample swimming space. Their color is known to change from day to day, but will typically stays in shades of purple, blue and green. The fins are outlined in a bright blue, which gives a very striking color. Their name gives away the color of their sharp teeth. The Red-Toothed Triggerfish are found in the Indo-Pacific inhabiting reef channels and slopes where there is a strong current.