< All fish

clown triggerfish

Scientific name Balistoides conspicillum
Descriptor Bloch & Schneider
Year of description 1801
IUCN category LC
Family Balistidae
Genus Balistoides
Balistoides conspicillum Balistoides conspicillum
Français English Español Italiano

Introduction

Balistoides conspicillum, commonly known as clown triggerfish, is a salt water fish.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    45 cm
  • Maximum size
    50 cm
  • Shape
    Oval
  • Pattern
    circle pattern
  • Average size
    45 cm
  • Maximum size
    50 cm
  • Shape
    Oval
  • Pattern
    circle pattern

How to recognize the clown triggerfish ?

The clown triggerfish measures between 45 and 50 cm. This fish is tricolore with a predominantly jaune, noir and blanc body. The also has blanc circle pattern.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The clown triggerfish is a fish solitary naturally found near the bottom. This species is carnivorous . Naturally, it tends to dig into the sand and transform its environment.

The clown triggerfish is a territorial animal that does not tolerate any incursions into its living area. It is particularly virulent against other territorial species and it can provoke heated fights. Relationships between conspecifics are also hectic, with each seeking to secure its place. In a constant quest for dominance, the dominant males of this species cannot stand each other. The battle between two individuals can be intense and violent. It will result in the submission and sometimes even death of one of the protagonists.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert

The clown triggerfish is a fish ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert.

Risks for humans

  • Venomous
    No
  • Bite
    Yes

This species can attack if it feels threatened. It is important to be particularly vigilant especially during dives or fishing sessions.

Where to find it?

Where to see this species?

Aquarium des Lagons Planet Ocean aquarium-tropical

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    24 - 28 °C
  • Depth
    1 - 50 m

Biotope presentation

The clown triggerfish is most often found at a depth between 1m and 50m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    2000 liters
  • Population min
    1
  • Temperature
    24 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    8.2 - 8.4

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    moderate
  • Robustness
    robust
  • Behaviour
    moderately aggressive
  • Availability
    occasional

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

The realization of a seawater aquarium requires certain knowledge beforehand. Seawater is generally synthetic, consisting of reverse osmosis water and synthetic salt at a level of 33g / liters. It is also possible to take seawater directly (after making sure that the water is not polluted). The operation of a seawater aquarium is done in three phases: the installation of a living stone decoration, the introduction of invertebrates one month later, and the introduction of fish 3 months later. It is essential to wait as long as possible before to introduce the animals so that the micro-fauna has had time to develop well. The balance and the physico-chemical stability are fundamental for the success of this type of tank.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the clown triggerfish

The clown triggerfish is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 24 °C and 28 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 31°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.

The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.

This species is generally available in specialized shops or from aquarium clubs. Specimens that have been bred for a long time are easier to breed, but special water parameters must be respected.

Builder fish

This fish has the particularity to dig its territory in the sand. Therefore, it is likely to uproot plants and modify the decor of the aquarium.

Formal incompatibilities

Be careful, the clown triggerfish is incompatible with molluscs, crustacean and corals.

Cohabitation & Environment

In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 2000 liters.

The clown triggerfish has a strong character. Its maintenance with territorial neighbors in an inadequate volume will generate stress. ndeed, it will not hesitate to fight to protect its territory and to dominate its neighbors. It is important to think carefully about the constitution of the future population to avoid this kind of inconvenience. The aquarium should be arranged so that each species can comfortably define its own territory.

The males of this species do not support each other, the maintenance of several of them in the same tank is strongly disadvised.

To best reproduce the biotope of this species, you can cover the bottom of the tank with sand and put a pile of stones to form caves.

Tips for feeding

The clown triggerfish is carnivorous.

This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Reproduction protocol

  • egg-laying protection
    Yes

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

These animals might interest you

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

BioObs fishbase EOL

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Adrien Falzon

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Silvia Gomez

Silvia Gomez

Aurélien Calas

Aurélien Calas

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Interact with Fishipedia

To get in touch with our team or participate in our project.

Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 12/11/2023

Where to see this species?

Aquarium des Lagons Planet Ocean aquarium-tropical

Tags

#Balistidae

#Balistoides

#barrière de corail

#estuaire

#herbier

#lagon

#Great Barrier Reef

#Philippine Sea

#Sea of Japan

#South East Asian Seas

#Indonesian seas

#Western Tropical Pacific Ocean

#Réunion

#Maldives

#French Polynesia

Species of the same family

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

Scientific partners

fishbase BioObs
  • {{name}}

    {{#street_number}}{{street_number}}, {{/street_number}}{{#route}}{{route}}{{/route}}
    {{postal_code}} {{town}}

    {{#phone}}{{phone}}{{/phone}}{{^phone}}-{{/phone}}
    {{#displayDistance}}{{getFormatDistance}}{{/displayDistance}}