Clown Trigger died!

[Mugster]

I'm hoping someone out there may be able to help me out here. My Clown Trigger died last night. It was healthy (approx. 5-6" in length and full-bodied) and active for the past month since I purchased it and then about a week ago it seemed to be less interested in food and became very lethargic, often hiding motionless. It had a few small white specs but nothing too serious. I've had 2 other Clown Triggers die on me in the past from the same affliction but all of my other triggers (Picaso, Niger, and Undulated) are doing just fine. Are CT more sensitve than the rest or could it be they are perishing from the way they were caught? My LFS claims they're not caught using poisons(?), rather netted. Any ideas?

 

[Anonymous]

We currently have a CT in stock and have had him for a similar length of time. He has been battling a low level bacterial infection for the entire time. Most triggers are rather bullet proof however I'd be willing to bet ours was not caught and transported under the best of conditions.

Since I got him from a second tier wholesaler I have no idea where he was caught and how.

 

[Henry1]

Try finding out where the fish was collected.

If its Philippines or Indonesia, chances is it's due to cyanide poisoning.

 

[31-2c]

I hope you don't have all of those triggers in the same tank

 

[Mouse]

31-2c, now that wasn't the question and you know it.

 

[Anonymous]

With that undulated in there, your picasso and niger won't be 'just fine' for long...

Swimming death, that's what they are.

Peace,

Chip

[ December 10, 2001: Message edited by: marillion ]</p>

 

[Mugster]

I am aware that the Undulated is more aggressive than the other two and have kept a close eye on it. It's smaller than the other Triggers and quite passive right now. In the event it does start to become more aggressive I'll move it to another tank. Like many amateurs I blindly and ignorantly added fish to my tank based on colour and shape without doing the proper research. But now with the internet and the many experienced people on this bulletin board I'm learning. My LFS didn't help matters by misleading me about the natural characteristics of many of the fish I've purchased. Live and learn.

 

[MaryHM]

I was talking to a gentleman at the Marine Ornamentals conference about cyanide testing in fish. This man had spent years in the Philippines training divers to use nets. He named Clown Triggers as one of the "indicator species" that should be used to test for cyanide, because they are generally caught that way.

 

[Chucker]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mugster:
<strong>Like many amateurs I blindly and ignorantly added fish to my tank based on colour and shape without doing the proper research. But now with the internet and the many experienced people on this bulletin board I'm learning. My LFS didn't help matters by misleading me about the natural characteristics of many of the fish I've purchased. Live and learn.</strong><hr></blockquote>

A good step in the right direction, Mugster.