Golden Heart Trigger Experiences

[thepudge]

Curious to see who has these and what kind of experiences they have had with them. Aggression?

 

[marrone]

They're in the same family as the Queen Trigger, they also look somewhat similar to the Queen too but not as aggressive as the Queen. When they came around awhile back, in the 80's, they were somewhat aggressive, similar to the Huma Huma Triggers. As they got large they became more aggressive, as most triggers do. Check Reef Central as there are a # of people that got them the last time they came around, so they should have them for a couple of months by now and should be able to give a good opinion on them.

Also some of the size that first showed up were pretty large, 6"-8" range, which is pretty big for a trigger. I've seen some smaller sizes for sale recently, 3"-4" range.

 

[IconicAquariums]

They are assholes. Just as aggressive as a Queen, even as juvis. I had to hold a few little babies a few weeks ago and they were awful. Got bit by 2 of them and they drew blood! These were 2". Beware with any nippable fins.

 

[Domboski]

I have one. It is not very aggressive. Mine is kept with puffers and Damsels (used to be with toadfish too). Other than wanting to be the first one to eat, I have had no problems at all.

Let me know if you have more specific questions related to my experience.

 

[Deanos]

I love threads like this :hug: You'll always get multiple answers to the same question.

just as aggressive as a Queen

It is not very aggressive.

As I've said in the past, the only predictable fish is a dead one. Pick the above quote which suites your tank best

 

[marrone]

Unfortunately with large Trigger you need to be sure as an aggressive trigger can kill everything in your tank and in some case even rip out the silicone in the tank.

For what it worth there was a # of different opinions on RC about it. Some were from memory, when it first came around, others from recent experience of acquiring one.

I actually was offer one, at wholesale prices, but passed on it because of the size, it was about 8 1/2", and some of the reviews pointed it to be somewhat aggressive. Didn't want to take a chance, especially since it looked like a Queen Trigger, so I passed on it.

 

[Deanos]

Unfortunately with large Trigger you need to be sure as an aggressive trigger can kill everything in your tank and in some case even rip out the silicone in the tank.

Silicone!? Now that's mean

 

[Domboski]

Deanos is right. I think it has more to do with the actual environment of the tank, the tendencies of the species and the individual personality all meshed together.
If you asked me who was the most aggressive fish in my shark and ray tank, I'd tell you it was my Clarkii clown. :shocked1: She is nuts!

My trigger has plenty of hiding spots so it doesn't seem to have that "nervous aggression" a lot of triggers have. I used to have two GHs in the same tank without a problem but I didn't feel there was enough room for both in thetank so I sold one.

I would go with Marone on this one, take into consideration all of the possibilites and then make a decision. They are a beautiful fish but you may have limited options after you have one as far as tankmates.

 

[marrone]

It's actually quite common with some of the large triggers, even the ones that aren't aggressive. They just go around biting things and some see the silicone seals as something to bit. Some will keep biting and pulling at the silicone until they stripe some of it out.

 

[thepudge]

I've had a four inch GHT for about 10 days now. It hasnt shown aggresison to anything yet (actually has been picked on a bit by my foxface) but I know that can turn in a hurry. People seem to have very different opinions of them (I researched as best I could before purchasing although I should have asked here too). Beautiful fish so far -- I am hoping it wont turn aggressive, but we'll see.

I decided to take a chance because I have a reef to transfer the foxface to if problems start.