Scientific Name: Odonus niger

Alt Scientific Name: Xenodon niger

Common Name: Niger Trigger

Alt Common Name: Black Triggerfish, Niger Triggerfish, Black Trigger, Redtooth Trigger

Group: Triggers (Triggerfish)

Family: Balistidae

Distribution: Indo-Pacific - particularly around Micronesia and Great Barrier Reef

Adult Size: 20 inches (50.8cm)

Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons

Temperament: Generally peaceful but will eat most crustaceans and may eat small fish.

Care Difficulty: 6/10

Reef Safety Score : 1/3

Temperature Range: 75°F - 82°F

pH Range: 8.1 - 8.4

Salinity Range (specific gravity): 1.018 - 1.026

Diet Information: Carnivorous - This species does well with meaty foods such as frozen krill, various shrimp, silversides and bloodworms. Some niger triggers also eat meat based pellet foods.

Additional Information : The coloration of this species varies from region to region. Some individuals have a purple, green, or blue tinge. This species is a hardy aquarium species accepting a variety of commercial foods. When first introduced into a new tank this species may hide or even play dead. However, after becoming adjusted to its surroundings it becomes quite bold and will be out in the open a great deal of the time. This is one of the least aggressive trigger species and is suitable for community tanks. Although the Niger Triggerfish is not aggressive towards other fish, it is a natural predator of crustaceans. Do not be tempted to keep the Niger with crabs or shrimp... That cleaner shrimp or emerald crab will be nothing more than an expensive snack!

Tank Mate Compatibility : NO CRABS OR SHRIMP. Otherwise a generally peaceful fish that will not bother tank mates unless they are much much smaller (bite sized).

Breeding Information: This species has not been reported to successfully reproduce in home aquariums.

Determining Sex: No known way to determine visually.

Primary Area in Tank: All over