Are Harlequin Tusks Reef safe

[JKDMan]

So the title of this threads stated the question. Are Harlequin Tusks reef safe ?
I have heard that they like to eat crabs and snails sometimes. Havent heard of them messing with coral though. There is a aussie caught HT at my LFS that is really nice and i have always wanted one so im very tempted.
Just wanted to get some feedback or opinions on this fish
and any info from a HT owner would be great
Cheers

 

[sc50964]

They don't eat corals. Only all the inverts.

 

[crabbyreef]

I agree with sc50964, snails, crabs and shrimp are high on their food list.

 

[snorvich]

I am with everyone else. Coral safe, however. Mildly shy, but a cool fish.

 

[Dmorty217]

Each individual will vary but coral safe, yes. I have seen them before that won't eat a crab, shrimp or snail. I have also seen them eat anything and everything that is a invert that will fit in their mouth!

 

[sc50964]

Each individual will vary but coral safe, yes. I have seen them before that won't eat a crab, shrimp or snail. I have also seen them eat anything and everything that is a invert that will fit in their mouth!

Mine is that way - eat all inverts even the nasty bristle worms.

 

[davidfrances]

I have had my current HT for over a year. He is fine with smaller snails, like Astraea snails, but eats the bigger turbos. I recently added a tiger conch, and so far my HT has ignored it. He doesn't bother any of my corals, but will eat tridacna clams.

 

[maikoa02]

Got mine as a 2" juvi. Didn't bother any shrimp, hermit crabs, snails, or any corals that were already in the tank. After a few months any shrimp I added became an expensive meal. Has a huge appetite, grows quick, a great and fascinating addition to a reef tank.

 

[cakemanPA]

Mine bothered no corals for over a year when I had my large tank. The one day he decided to taste clams. He was quickly moved to a fowlr tank.

 

[MrTuskfish]

They will also eat small fish. A 7-8" tusk will gladly scarf most common small reef fish.

 

[albano]

Each individual will vary but coral safe, yes. I have seen them before that won't eat a crab, shrimp or snail. I have also seen them eat anything and everything that is a invert that will fit in their mouth!

+1...fortunately, I've never seen them go for clams...
can't remember ever having a tank without a HT, since 1973!...they are a 'must have', like Yellow tang, Flame angel, and Royal Gramma!

 

[TravelinLight]

I have two friends with them in reef tanks. Both are model citizens and the favorite fish in conversation. If I had a large enough tank I would get my own.

 

[brad]

I have one. It won't eat corals, but moves them around. Snails I had before the tuskfish are fine, but snails (even very large ones) added after are food. Overall, an interesting fish I'm glad I added, but not something I'd add lightly.

 

[sc50964]

That's a good point about moving things around. As they get bigger, their instinct to search for inverts in sand and around rocks become stronger. So it's very likely they will knock over corals by accident if the aquascape isn't firm.