Orange Lined Triggerfish

(Balistapus undulatus)

Balistapus Triggerfish should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work with caves and crevices should be provided for hiding. Triggerfish are known to turnover rocks, rubble, benthic invertebrates and corals provide a sand bed with rubble and seashells to turnover hunting for prey. Triggerfish are carnivores feeding on small fish, starfish, crabs, shrimp, snails and urchins. They are capable of breaking off the spines of urchins and blowing water to turnover urchins and attacking the underside. They are hardy and beautiful but quite aggressive, Triggerfish have even been known to attack divers when to close in the wild. A diet of meaty based foods should be provided. May loose coloration if not adequately fed. Triggerfish should be kept singly or mated pairs as they can be aggressive. Male and females may exhibit color differences.

Orange Lined Triggerfish are also sometimes known simply as the Undulate or Yellow Tailed Triggerfish. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. Orange Lined Triggerfish are a blue to green color with diagonal orange stripes and a black spot on its peduncle. Orange Lined Triggerfish can grow to almost 12".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 100 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate CareEasyEasy
  • Behavior: BehaviorAgressiveAgressive
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightHighHigh