Bi-Weekly Discussion of the Week: What does Reef-Safe Mean?

[Geoff]

OK, this comes up a lot. What does reef-safe mean? Is there anything that really is reef-safe?

G~

[tims]

so was this prompted by the frog fish question?

i will give it a shot!
reef safe in my mind would basically mean that it would not harm the reef...ie..LR and corals..but that does not mean it will not eat other critters in your tank! like shrimp or any other fish that fits in its mouth..
the frog fish is a nice example, so would a dwarf fuzzy lion..both are considered reef safe.. but toss in a few smaller fish or a few shrimp ..BAM..dinner is ready...
SOOOOOO i do think that things are "reef safe" but not ness. with others that you might like to add to a reef...
how's that?

[Phishnoob]

I think you summed it up well Tim. Being reef safe does not mean invert safe....been there and learned the hard way.

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by Phishnoob

I think you summed it up well Tim. Being reef safe does not mean invert safe....been there and learned the hard way.

i would beg to differ with ya on that one.

Reef safe to me is invert safe. since corals are inverts the last time i checked.

are you just thinking of those poor crustaceans again.

G~

[kwjones]

I have 2 "Reef Safe" Long Fin Bannerfish (heniochus diphreutes).

They're well fed. By well fed, I mean that they will not hesitate to help themselves to a hermit crabs, shrimp, or snails. They seem to like the taste of Xenia as well.

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by kwjones

I have 2 "Reef Safe" Long Fin Bannerfish (heniochus diphreutes).

They're well fed. By well fed, I mean that they will not hesitate to help themselves to a hermit crabs, shrimp, or snails. They seem to like the taste of Xenia as well.

are you sure they are both diphreutes? strange that one would like Xenia.

G~

[kwjones]

Yeah, my wife and I have gone through every book we could find, and I've been to several websites finding every description I could. Ours match the dorsal spine count of the diphreutes, and the last black band placement on the anal fin.

I still cant figure out why it's picking at the xenia, I feed them every day. I'd like to get rid of the larger one, but my wife is against it.

[Awestralian]

Well that was a quick subject lol...


Next question!

[Geoff]

i know a lot of people who would love to find something that would eat Xenia!!!

G~

[kwjones]

I don't think they eat it. I think they just picked it to death....either way...

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by Awestralian

Well that was a quick subject lol...


Next question!

well what does reef safe to you mean?
are you one the invert side of reef safe or the small fish side of reef safe?
is there anything you feel that is reef safe?
are all reefs the same?

G~

[Awestralian]

Reef safe -ie- will not eat/pick at, coral.

Reef safe to me does not mean your shrimp are safe.
And thats where people get caught out, as we have heard...

[Junkzoo]

To me, the term "reef-safe" is mostly used for fish, and meant being safe for corals,crabs, shrimp, most any non-fish livestock,,,,,
I've heard "It's reef -safe,except for,,,,,," many times,,,,
So maybe "sorta" reef-safe oughta be a new term to use ,,,,,LOL
the rules are :the rules are not in stone, can and will be varied, mostly against you , as soon as you purchase it,,,,,

[Junkzoo]

Ditto what Awes mentioned , reef safe= not picking at corals,,,,is prob the general statement/meaning used in the hobby.

[Geoff]

are peppermint shrimp "Reef-Safe"?

G~