| Care Level | Expert |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 180 gallons |
| Max Size | 24 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
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| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 3.75 - 4.5" - Indo-Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 1.75 - 2.75" - Indo-Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 5.5 -7" - Indo-Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 1.25 - 1.75" - Indo-Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 2.75 - 3.75" - Indian Ocean |
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| Out of Stock | 1.25 - 1.75" - Indian Ocean |
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Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
The Clown Trigger (Balistoides conspicillum) is a bold, high-contrast triggerfish with a dark body, large white spotting, and yellow accents around the face. It’s a reef-associated Indo-Pacific species that’s typically kept as a centerpiece fish in fish-only or aggressive community systems.
What You’ll Observe:
- Steady cruising in open water with frequent passes through caves and rockwork
- Strong awareness of the room—often follows you along the glass at feeding time
- Investigating, nudging, and “testing” objects in the tank as it explores
- Fast, decisive feeding responses once it’s on a routine
To do well with a Clown Trigger, provide sturdy rockwork with multiple caves and open swimming lanes, and keep the aquascape stable so it can move through it confidently. Offer a varied menu of marine meaty foods (like shrimp, clam, squid, and quality prepared foods) and keep feedings consistent so it settles into a predictable routine.
Why do Clown Triggers “rearrange” rock and sand?
Many keepers report a pattern of digging and pushing at the aquascape as part of normal exploring and territory use. A stable, well-locked rock structure helps the tank stay neat while still letting the fish investigate.
Do they really change behavior as they mature?
Hobbyists commonly describe a “settled in” period followed by a more dominant, take-charge attitude later on. Planning the tank around one primary triggerfish personality is the most consistent long-term approach.
How do you keep their teeth worn down in captivity?
A mix of meaty foods is the foundation, and many aquarists also include tougher items like clams in the rotation so the fish can crunch and tear naturally. This mirrors the species’ benthic-feeding style in the wild.
Will a Clown Trigger interact with you at the glass?
Yes—keepers frequently describe them as very aware of people, especially once they learn your feeding schedule. Over time they often become one of the more “present” fish in the display.
When adding one to an aggressive community, what introduction approach works best?
A common approach is to introduce it when the aquascape and feeding routine are already stable, then keep the first few days calm and consistent so it can map the tank. In very large systems, adding fish around the same time is also frequently discussed.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
