Undulate Triggerfish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 12"
• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-79° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Balistidae   • Species: Triggerfish   • Aquarium Type: Fish Only

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The Undulate Triggerfish or Orange-lined Triggerfish is an attractive fish, with a unique emerald-green body with yellow-orange vertical stripes. The Undulate Triggerfish is a very aggressive species, even compared to other aggressive species, including other Triggerfish, groupers, Lionfish or even sharks. Typically it is best to keep this species as a single specimen in the home aquarium, but it is possible to keep with other large aggressive species in a large aquarium.

The Undulate Triggerfish can become quite tame and is easily trained to hand feed from its owner. It is a very inquisitive species that should be provided with a good amount of aquascape for it to explore. The Undulate Triggerfish is a very hardy species, that can be kept by beginning hobbyists, assuming they have a large aquarium (min 55 to 70 gallons) and are aware that of the extremely aggressive nature of this fish towards other tank mates.

The Undulate Triggerfish is primarily green in color with a unique pattern of yellow stripes on its body with yellowish orange fins. It also has a unique body shape that is characteristic of Triggerfish in general, with an oval body, close set eyes, small pectoral fins and large powerful dorsal fins. The dorsal fins as the primary means of locomotion, and are flapped back and forth in unison, propelling the fish through the water.

The Undulate Triggerfish requires a 55 gallon or larger aquarium with extensive rock and caves for it to swim about and explore. It will without a doubt rearrange the aquarium landscaping and will excavate the substrate to its own desired layout. The Undulate Triggerfish may also bite or chew on pieces of rock or coral in order to keep its ever growing front teeth worn down. The Undulate Triggerfish is a very hardy fish species that will actively interact with its owner and can even vocalize through a grunting" sound.

When threatened, the Triggerfish will dive into a tight crevice, wedging itself tightly and anchoring into place by erecting and locking its first spine. When the second spine is depressed its acts as a trigger, unlocking the first spine thus the name Triggerfish. There are no specific lighting or water movement requirements for this species; however, excellent biological filtration should be provided as the Undulate Triggerfish can be a messy eater, which creates a fair amount of waste.

The Undulate Triggerfish needs a varied diet of meaty foods including; squid, krill, clams, small fish and hard shelled shrimp. Hard shelled shrimp of similar items are more than just a food source, as they help wear down the ever growing teeth of the Undulate Triggerfish. It is also possible to hand feed the Undulate Trigger as they will quickly learn where their food comes from and will eagerly await each feeding.

Warning: Do not keep invertebrates or corals with this species unless they are intended as food. The Undulate Triggerfish will consume any snails, shrimp or crabs it comes across in the aquarium.