| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 180 gallons |
| Max Size | 18 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only 9 left | 4.5 - 5.5" - Indo-Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 3.75 - 4.5" - Indo-Pacific |
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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.
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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 Pinktail Trigger (Melichthys vidua) is a dark olive to near-black triggerfish with pale, translucent dorsal and anal fins and a tail that often shows pink to orange tones. It’s an Indo-Pacific reef species that spends its day cruising the rockwork edge and open water, making it a popular “pink tail triggerfish” choice for large marine aquariums.
What You’ll Observe:
- Slow, steady “hovering” movement driven by the dorsal and anal fins
- Regular laps along the front glass, especially once it recognizes feeding time
- Short bursts into caves and crevices, then returning to open swimming
- Curious interaction with objects like frag plugs or small loose items
- A bold feeding response—often coming up quickly for offered foods
Provide a large aquarium with stable rockwork and multiple caves so it can claim a home base while still having open water to patrol. Offer a mixed menu of meaty marine foods plus algae-based options, and rotate textures (including tougher items) to keep feeding engaging. With consistent routines, most settle into a predictable daily pattern and become very interactive.
Will my Pinktail Trigger hide for days or weeks after introduction?
Many do at first; once it learns the tank’s rhythm (and where food appears), it typically becomes more visible and starts cruising the glass more often.
Why does it pick up, move, or “re-decorate” items in the tank?
This is common triggerfish behavior—investigating with the mouth and relocating small objects—so keeping frags and loose pieces secured helps the tank stay orderly.
Is it normal for the tail to look more yellow/orange than pink?
Yes—keepers report noticeable variation in tail color, and lighting can also change how the pink/orange tones read in your tank.
How do I get it onto pellets or a more consistent prepared-food routine?
Start by mixing pellets into foods it already rushes for (like frozen blends), then gradually increase pellets over 1–2 weeks as it associates them with feeding time.
Does it “beg” or act like it recognizes the owner?
Many owners describe strong food recognition and front-glass interaction; consistent feeding cues (same spot, same time) tends to bring this out quickly.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.

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