Discussion of the week ~Reef Safe Fish~

[mojoreef]

This weeks discussion is on Reef safe fish and maybe some not so reef safe fish. Lets see your pics and tell us what u know? What makes a fish reef safe? Is thier a way to tell by looking? Is thier ways to fight the instinct to eat your corals? Lets hear your sucesses and your failures.

have fun


Mike

[Reedman]

LMAO!

Who put Mike in charge of a dicusion on "reef-safe fish"? The one man that can drive a fish to commit suicide. I think Mike needs to list his "fish-safe" reef precautions

Just kidding my friend.

I like the yellow tang for it's usefulness and beauty. My favorite is the clown. Great fish, doesn't bother anything.

[mojoreef]

HHmmmm thanks for that detailed report on your reef safe fish I am sure all the members will gain vastly from it


Remeber you will be holding the pivot point on saturday

mike

[Doug1]

Why does this thread remind me of SNL and the Bass-O- Matic, must be a flash back to a more colorful time

[Alice]

I don't think there's much I could add to the above comments...well, I probably could but whether I should is another matter

The term "reef safe" in itself gives me a little chuckle. "Everything is food on the reef" is a true saying and one all of us should bear in mind. It would also help if our animals would read the same books we do, darn it!

Let see; I had a Bi-color blenny that I just loved. He was amusing, ate algae off the glass and rocks and didn't bother anyone. Then again, I didn't have any clams and I've heard they like to nip at clams.

I think tangs are great reef fish if they are in an appropriately sized tank...and they don't pick at your LPS or clam mantles.

I have a C. argi (Cherub or Pygmy Angel) that has been the model of decorum. Great little fish. However, I've seen people have trouble with them and call them the devil incarnate.

I like herbivores that do some of the tank clean up for you, can you tell?

My clowns have all been great. None of them overly aggressive, even the Maroon. Although I am really glad that she's quit being the neurotic housewife and leaves the DSB alone.

I had a clown goby and I just loved him. Although I guess you can't keep them in pairs with SPS because they strip down the branches where they want to nest.

My firefish have always been inoffensive little guys. I think they are great reef fish too. Don't decimate your pods, aren't aggressive with other fish and after they get used to the tank they'll hang out most of the day.

Phew, that's enough for now

Alice

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Ok I have a Canthigaster valentini(common name: Black Saddled Toby). This fish would be considered not reef safe but of all the puffers I think this would be the choice for a reef aquarium.
Yes it picks at corals and you definately cannot keep shrimp of any kind and it will eat snails although I still have quite a few snails and seems to leave them alone now! Here is a pic of mine in my reef aquarium:

[Spanky]

WOW Johnny, that's has to be one of the best pictures I've even seen!

I have full grown angels and a school of reef b'flys, I'm staying out of this.

[Doug1]

Hey Alice, I like that "it,s all food on the reef" can I use it ? But seriously, as I have mentioned before, especialy discussing plenumn versus DSB with Galleon, Having a reef tank, or trying to replicate a ref microcosm involves a boatload of compromises, and choosing fish to occupy and hopefully do something useful, certainly will require the wisdom of Solomon. But as we oft repeat, plan out the reef and build according to the inhabitance, same applies to stocking, Find out what you like, what it needs and what it gets along with. Love Hawkfish, got annoying camel shrimp Get Hawkfish( hint dont buy $30 fire or blood shrimp)

[Biohazard]

Hi, Im new to TRT. The first fish we got (and the reason for the tank) was a Porcupine Puffer. when we got him he was about 2" tiny guy (looked like E.T) so cute we just had to have him. then we added a few corals for color now it's a full blown reef. He has been the best fish bothers no one not even the hermit crabs.

Here he is in his soft bed of xenia where he likes to sleep.

[ravennareef]

As of now, favorite is my scooter blenny, really enjoy watching him glide around the tank, I think the yellow tang likes him too

[Alice]

Welcome to The Reef Tank, ravennareef

[Dan]

I also had a C. argi, it was terrific with all corals. It did however develop a taste for the mantles of my maximas. My favorite "reef safe" fish are anthias. I currently have a small school of sunburst anthias that are amazing. They can be finicky at times, and are slightly skittish to traffic outside the aquarium but the color and temperment with other fish is incredible.

[ravennareef]

Thanks Alice! and hello to all!!! I'm new to marine so I really have a lot to learn,enjoy reading all the posts

[Flatlander]

Reef safe would be my green chromis and bangaii.

- Clowns are reef safe, but love to churn up sandbeds.
- Tangs are reef safe, to a point. Being grazers, they will, at times, eat coral. Personal experience.
-Wrasses, royal grammas, and the such, love to eat a tanks little crawlies. Some also like escargo.

[wildthings44]

I think all my fish are reefsafe... but I know I have way too many...
I like my mandarine... there is nothing in there I love more, and she bothers no one, and nobody bothers her. I just got a potters angel fish (my other fishy love!) we'll see how well he does, although he hasn't bothered the coral, he has upset the pecking order in the tank.(went right to the top and took down the clarki clown, who used to rule the tank)(He's still alive, just very humble)