Saltwater Fish
Niger Triggerfish.
The niger triggerfish is a blue-green, flowing-finned saltwater fish that swims by rippling its dorsal and anal fins — oddly graceful for a trigger, and one of the calmer members of the family. It reaches 12 inches and needs a 180-gallon-plus FOWLR (fish-only-with-live-rock) tank with sturdy rockwork and tankmates that can hold their own.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Temperament
- Semi aggressive
- Community
- Semi community
- Adult size
- 12"
- Min tank size
- 180 gallons
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Scientific name
- Odonus niger
Good tank mates
One of the more easygoing triggerfish, it can share a large tank with other sturdy, similarly sized fish like tangs, larger angelfish, wrasses, and other moderate triggers, but it can grow bold and nippy with age. Keep it out of nano and peaceful community tanks, and avoid small fish or anything timid that it may harass; ornamental shrimp and clams are also at risk, which is why it is only reef-safe with caution. Watch for it nipping coral or rearranging rock as it matures.
Good to know
The niger triggerfish swims by rippling its dorsal and anal fins rather than its tail, and when alarmed it wedges into a crevice and locks itself in place with a trigger-like dorsal spine, the trait that gives triggerfish their name.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Red Volitan Lionfish
A widely documented compatible pairing with the Niger Trigger. The Lionfish's venomous dorsal, pelvic, and anal spines provide effective deterrence against the trigger's nipping behavior — the trigger typically learns to avoid them after an early encounter. Both species reach comparable adult sizes (~12–15 inches) so predation is not a concern. The Niger, the most peaceful of the trigger family, is specifically noted on WetWebMedia as coexisting with Lionfish in aggressive FOWLR communities.
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Snowflake Moray Eel
A well-documented FOWLR pairing. Unlike most morays, the Snowflake has molariform (crushing) teeth adapted for crustaceans rather than fish, which sharply reduces predation risk toward the Niger Trigger. The trigger may occasionally nip at the eel's tail, but adequate rockwork with full-coverage retreats eliminates most conflict. WetWebMedia and multiple sources confirm the pairing works in large aggressive fish-only systems.
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Porcupine Puffer
One of the most commonly recommended Niger Trigger tankmates. Both fish are semi-aggressive, reach similar adult sizes (~12 inches), and share a 180-gallon minimum tank requirement. The puffer's diodontid spines — modified scales that erect when threatened — provide genuine physical deterrence against fin-nipping. Multiple credible sources including Reef Central forum reports and published care guides confirm this pairing succeeds in large FOWLR setups.
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.