OK, so few questions about inverts...

[Jvalent]

So I've been doing my research on fish and what fish are compatible with reefs and inverts and so forth and I had a few questions.
I know an anemone is considered an invert, but if a fish is ok for coral but not for inverts, does it mean it will attack an anemone or the crustaceans? I don't mind not having crabs, snails, clams, or shrimp if it means I can have more types of fish, but I definately want an anemone.
If a fish is reef safe but not invert safe, would it be ok around the corals and such?

I guess the problem is a lot of the really cool looking fish will pick on inverts and I was wondering what all they would really pick on. I think I'd rather go the non-invert route with more fish selection is the anemones and corals are safe. Anyways let me know some information on all this if you can. Thanks

[Lance M.]

What size tank do you want/have and what fish do you want to keep?

Also what type of anemone do you want to keep? and be sure you realize they need a mature, stable tank with moderate to intense lighting.

I currently have two bta's and a lta.

[hng]

In general, when people say a fish is not invertebrate safe, they mean that it will eat your shrimp and crabs (not anemones). As far as I know, there aren't any fish in the hobby that eat anemones or will bother them. On the contrary, anemones WILL eat any fish that they get a hold of (exception is a hosting clown fish).

[Jvalent]

Well I don't have specific species picked out yet, I'm more or less looking at general fish types such as angels and puffers or something. As for anemones I just want one that will host the typical clown (don't know the true name), but is less aggressive than others if that's possible.
As for the fish, I can't name a lot of specific fish, but there are a good bit that wont mess with corals but will mess with your inverts right? For some reason puffers come to mind, and if I'm remembering correctly... hawks, soldiers, batfish, etc.

[Lance M.]

Yup, although soldiers and batfish are not recommened for hobbyist aquariums at all, except by experts.

Do you mean Ocellaris Clowns? You could get a bta.

I have heard that sometimes you'll get an angelfish that will do damage to anemones (most of the small angels and all of the large ones will damage corals) and butterflyfish will eat anemones.

And like said anemones can eat your fish. Bta's usually do not, on rare occasions they will but an anemone, like a carpet, will definitely eat your fish.

What size tank and lighting? I suggest waiting until the tank is 9-12 months old to add an anemone, or longer if you can. 6 months is usually the recommend but the longer the better. And remember clowns do NOT need an anemone, if that's why you are getting the anemone.

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by hng

In general, when people say a fish is not invertebrate safe, they mean that it will eat your shrimp and crabs (not anemones). As far as I know, there aren't any fish in the hobby that eat anemones or will bother them. On the contrary, anemones WILL eat any fish that they get a hold of (exception is a hosting clown fish).

File fishes, some angels, a number of obligate corallivores (most Chaetodon, Chelmon, Coradion, Hemitaurichthys, and Heniochus Butterflyfishes of Indonesia) depending on size of the anemone and the fish in question (notable exception to this is the Heniochus diphreutes, Schooling Bannerfish. These beauties are quite similar to the "common Heni", H. acuminatus, but with smaller mouth and more rounded breast area. These are zooplanktivores that excel in a large, low-poulation-density aquarium systems), and Diodontidae in general; but for the most part, the statement is true.


Nature abhors a vacuum.