Triggering success!

by Amanda Thompson

Aquarium researchers are excited to announce that they have successfully hatched and raised the very first Queen triggerfish in captivity from eggs found here in our Giant Ocean Tank! This historical event was made possible through the combined efforts of our researchers and those at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.

Larval stages Queen triggerfish (Photo: Andy Rhyne)

Adult Queen triggerfish frequently lay eggs in the GOT but few survive. The eggs are usually eaten or are destroyed in the filtration system. This time, divers harvested the eggs and sent them to a lab at Roger Williams University. With careful consideration to food sources, water conditions and stress factors, the eggs hatched and the larvae are thriving.

As part of our Sustainable Ornamental Fish Initiative, we not only work on breeding and raising fish, we also research the ornamental aquaculture trade by assessing the impact that fish collection has on its local ecosystem, as well as that of the global trade markets. Queen triggerfish are considered a threatened species and this success should go a long way towards establishing their sustainability within the aquarium trade.