Balistes vetula

Datasheet

General Description

The Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula), also known as "Ol'wife" in English and "Rotzahntriggerfisch" in German, belongs to the Balistidae family. Triggerfish are characterized by their robust jaws, used for crushing rock, shells, and corals during feeding. They exhibit varied behavior across species and individuals, presenting challenges for aquarium enthusiasts due to their aggressive nature.

Aquarium Suitability

Suitable with care, the Queen Triggerfish demands a very large tank (minimum 2000 liters) when fully grown. Their aggressive behavior necessitates caution when selecting tankmates, as they can be a threat to smaller fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Additionally, they have a tendency to rearrange rocks and substrate, requiring secure placement within the aquarium.

Care and Hardiness

With average hardiness, these fish have unique personalities and may exhibit quirky behaviors such as rearranging rocks and spraying water from the surface. Providing hiding places and a varied diet including krill, shrimps, crabs, mussels, and algae-based foods is essential for their well-being.

Reef Suitability

Queen Triggerfish are not reef-safe, making them unsuitable for coral aquariums. Their diet and behavior pose a threat to coral species, and they may disturb the delicate reef ecosystem.

Aquarium Setup

To accommodate Queen Triggerfish, a spacious tank with ample hiding spots, live rocks, and secure rock arrangements is necessary. Maintaining a stable environment with appropriate water conditions (pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, temperature 22.2-25.6°C, and alkalinity 8-12 dKH) is crucial for their health.

Behaviour

These fish are known for their aggressive temperament towards other species, emphasizing the importance of providing sufficient space to minimize confrontations. Owners may observe entertaining behaviors such as sand swirling to uncover food and interactions with their environment.

Feeding and Diet

Queen Triggerfish require a diet consisting of fish, larger crustaceans (such as shrimp and crabs), other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like krill and mysis. Special attention should be given to food that aids in preventing overgrowth of their teeth, such as clams.

Habitat and Distribution

Found in the West Indian Ocean, West Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea, Queen Triggerfish have a distribution ranging from Canada to Brazil in the Western Atlantic and from Ascension to Angola in the Eastern Atlantic. Due to their conservation status as an endangered species, efforts to protect their habitats are essential.