Triggerfish, named for their resemblance to cannonballs, are adorable stars of the marine world and are very easy to keep as pets, with undemanding water quality requirements. So, which varieties of triggerfish are the most captivating? Today, I've compiled a list of the ten most attractive triggerfish, including the Clown Triggerfish, Mandarin Duck Triggerfish, Queen Triggerfish, Blue-faced Triggerfish, Triangle Triggerfish, Titan Triggerfish, Devil Triggerfish, and Striped Triggerfish, among others. Let's admire them together!
1. Clown Cannonball
The spotted pufferfish, commonly known as the clown cannonball, is one of the most sought-after cannonball fish, prized for its vibrant colors and long considered a high-value ornamental fish. This unique fish boasts a striking array of colors, a prominent feature being a bright yellow saddle-shaped band across its upper body. Adults have this yellow band interspersed with numerous brown spots, a feature absent in juveniles. Furthermore, adults are covered in large white spots on their lower body, and a broad, bright yellow stripe runs across their tail. These distinctive features make them lively and dynamic as they swim, resembling rolling cannonballs, a sight that is sure to amuse.
Despite their comical and adorable appearance, clown triggerfish are actually among the most ferocious fish in the ocean, so choosing companions for them requires extra care. It's preferable to choose equally ferocious and larger fish as suitable partners to maintain peace and stability in the aquarium.
2. Mandarin Duck Shells
The Picasso triggerfish, also known as the Mandarin Duck Triggerfish, is hailed as one of the most captivating triggerfish. As a representative of the triggerfish family, the Mandarin Duck Triggerfish has a long history in ornamental fish farming. In trade, most adult Mandarin Duck Triggerfish are caught in the South my country Sea, while some juveniles come from the Philippines. These fish are named for their exceptionally vibrant and colorful diagonal patterns, resembling the graceful designs of mandarin ducks.
The subadults are covered with intricate and fascinating patterns. These patterns are so complex that they resemble abstract paintings by the artist Picasso on the canvas, which is why they are called "Picasso fish".
3. Queen's Cannonball
The Queen Cannonball, scientifically known as *Tetraodon spp.*, belongs to the Tetraodontidae family of tropical marine fish. This fish is distributed from the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean to the coast of West Africa, and is renowned for its beautiful blue markings and elegant swimming style. Its tail fin is shaped like a broad crescent, with a very long and thin tail filament at the end. Reaching lengths of over 60 centimeters, it is a large marine ornamental fish.
It's worth noting that Queen Cannonballs are not commonly seen in the domestic aquarium market; adult fish are typically displayed in some public aquariums, contributing to their scarcity. Furthermore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Queen Cannonballs as vulnerable, drawing widespread attention to their conservation.
4. Blue-faced shells
The golden-edged yellowfin pufferfish, commonly known as the blue-faced bullet pufferfish, is a species of bulletfish with considerable ornamental value. This species is mainly distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting areas around coral reefs. However, blue-faced bullet pufferfish are rarely seen in trade along the Asian coast.
In suitable environments, the Blue-faced Triggerfish displays a captivating appearance. When the nitrate concentration in the water is below 50 ppm, the metallic blue of this fish will shine brightly, exhibiting a unique luster. However, if the water quality is poor, this blue will gradually fade, and the fish's face will also gradually lose its original blue sheen.
5. Triangular shell
The Black-banded Scabbard Pufferfish, also known as the Black-banded Trigger Pufferfish, is nicknamed the Triangle Cannonball. This fish can reach a maximum length of about 30 centimeters. Its body is slightly elongated and oval-shaped, with two closely spaced dorsal fins and four to five rows of small spines on its caudal peduncle. Its back is brown, while its belly is white. A black band runs from the eye to the gill slits, extends to the base of the pectoral fins, then curves backward and widens until it covers the anus and the anterior half of the base of the anal fin.
The upper edge of this black band is also marked by a gold line, adding a highlight to its appearance. Due to its captivating looks, the banded pufferfish is often kept in aquariums for public enjoyment.
6. Titan Shell
The Titan Bulletfish, also known as the Brown pufferfish, is a renowned species among triggerfish. It is enormous, the largest of the pufferfish family, and primarily inhabits coral reef areas of the Indo-Pacific region, particularly favoring rocky areas. It feeds on small prey and organic matter on the rocks. The Titan Bulletfish gets its name from its enormous size and powerful strength within the triggerfish population. It is also reportedly one of the most frequent triggerfish to attack humans in its natural environment.
If you have an aquarium suitable for keeping large ornamental fish such as sharks and Napoleon wrasses, then introducing Titanfish is also a good option.
7. Devil's Cannonball
The red-toothed pufferfish, often called the "devil's cannonball," is actually one of the most docile of all the cannonball fish, despite its name. Its body is typically black or dark blue, with a large, crescent-shaped tail. When swimming, its dorsal and anal fins flap like bat wings, and its unique appearance, coupled with a mouthful of bright red fangs, gives it a vampire-like appearance.
However, contrary to its fierce appearance, the devil triggerfish rarely bullies other fish and seldom preys on small fish. It is also quite friendly towards corals, usually not nibbling on them or causing damage. This gentle nature makes it a popular species of triggerfish, suitable for coexisting with a variety of fish without conflict.
8. Yellow-striped shells
The Yellow-striped Triggerfish, also known as the Yellow-striped Triggerfish, is mainly distributed in the coral reef areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is a relatively large triggerfish, reaching up to 30 cm in length in aquariums. This triggerfish has a captivating emerald green body with orange-yellow horizontal stripes, making it look very cute and gentle, more appealing than other triggerfish. However, despite its charming appearance, the Yellow-striped Triggerfish is actually quite ferocious.
When keeping yellow-striped triggerfish in an aquarium, it's best to provide some rocks and caves, as they enjoy rearranging rocks and exhibit a unique behavior. Sometimes, they will make a "cooing" sound, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue.
9. Glass bullets
The Pink-tailed Slug, also known as the Glass Slug, is a species of slug found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This slug typically grows to 30-40 centimeters in length and is oval-shaped. Its body is grayish-black, with eyes located on the top of its head. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts: the first is black and can bend freely, while the second is silver-white with black edges. The caudal peduncle has a ring of silver-white stripes, and the tail fin is pink.
Its overall appearance features a stunning emerald green body and a vibrant pink tail, making its adorable charm irresistible.
10. Indian artillery shells
The Indian pufferfish, also known as the Indian cannonball, is a highly sought-after species in the aquarium world, reaching a maximum length of 30 centimeters. Its body is oval-shaped and slightly black, but when brought close to a light source, it reveals a brown or greenish-brown appearance. Its eyes are adorned with deep blue stripes, while the dorsal and pelvic fins are outlined with white lines where they connect to the body, making it extremely attractive.
Friendly reminder: This fish will be more aggressive and difficult to get along with other fish in its family if the aquarium is small. However, with a spacious aquarium, rich in rock formations and caves, it may be able to coexist peacefully with other aggressive fish. Never put it in a reef tank, as it may damage the corals and prey on ornamental shrimp and crabs.
