Crosshatch triggerfish

Care at a glance

Overview

House a crosshatch in a tank of at least 400 litres with open water and some rock, kept on the cooler side at 21 to 26 C and pH 8.0 to 8.4. It is one of the calmer triggers and usually leaves corals alone, though it may still sample small shrimp, so it is reef safe with caution. It can even be kept as a pair or small group in a large tank. Feed frequent small meals of meaty foods and some marine algae to match its planktivorous nature.

In the wild

The crosshatch triggerfish is one of the most beautiful and best-behaved triggers, with a fine grid of dark lines over the body and a red-edged tail. Males show a bright blue throat and yellow highlights, while females are more subdued. It comes from cooler, deeper water and hovers calmly in the open rather than hiding.

Good to know

Xanthichthys mento is a plankton feeder from cooler subtropical water, which makes it one of the few triggerfish considered reasonably reef-tolerant. Males and females differ in colour, an unusual trait in the family. Because it lives at depth it is collected less often, which keeps it pricier than common triggers.

Did you know

Unlike most triggerfish, the crosshatch is peaceful enough that several can sometimes be kept together, and males court females with a vivid flush of blue across the throat.

Related species

• 

  Bluethroat Triggerfish

  Xanthichthys auromarginatus

  9.1 in (23 cm)125 gal (473 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Niger Triggerfish

  Odonus niger

  11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Black durgon

  Melichthys niger

  15.7 in (40 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Pinktail Triggerfish

  Melichthys vidua

  15.7 in (40 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Picasso Triggerfish

  Rhinecanthus aculeatus

  11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Undulated triggerfish

  Balistapus undulatus

  11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)