Compatible Fish

[gltoland]

I'm wanting some bigger, prettier fish in my reef tank but notice some of the prettier ones have warnings "Not reef Safe" Then I see pics and videos of them in peoples tanks mixed with beautiful corals and doing very well. What's up with that? Also, (and probably a stupid question) Stores will have to categories, reef safe and coral safe. Are those not the same thing?

 

[texdoc77]

I'm wanting some bigger, prettier fish in my reef tank but notice some of the prettier ones have warnings "Not reef Safe" Then I see pics and videos of them in peoples tanks mixed with beautiful corals and doing very well. What's up with that? Also, (and probably a stupid question) Stores will have to categories, reef safe and coral safe. Are those not the same thing?

There is no rule against putting a fish that eats coral in a tank with coral, but the warnings let you know which ones do. A coral safe fish might eat snails, crabs and other inverts a reef safe fish would not.


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[Sk8r]

reef safe doesn't mean it won't eat shrimp and crabs or fellow fish. It only means it won't eat corals. Aggressive versus nonaggressive are pretty meaningless in reef tanks: aggressive usually means it's in too small a tank. And fairly average fishes in this hobby can grow to 10" length, so a 'large' tank is a hundred gallons upward. Even within a size range, activity level makes a difference. Some require room to run, while others are placid grazers.

Give us your tank size and we can help you a lot more.

 

[TokiHacker]

I'm wanting some bigger, prettier fish in my reef tank but notice some of the prettier ones have warnings "Not reef Safe" Then I see pics and videos of them in peoples tanks mixed with beautiful corals and doing very well. What's up with that? Also, (and probably a stupid question) Stores will have to categories, reef safe and coral safe. Are those not the same thing?

You also need to be aware of tank size vs recommendations.

What size is your tank?

 

[gltoland]

I have a 120 gallon 4x2x2. Right now I have a yellow tank and a very small blue hippo. I would like one more large, prettier type fish that will be compatible with corals and other tank mates.

 

[TokiHacker]

I don't suggest another tang... if you don't care about shrimp or snails/hermits id look at Melanarus (spelling?) Wrasse. Love those gorgeous buggers!

 

[Cliving1]

I think large tanks with lots of smaller fish and one prized or statement fish look better. Just my opinion, but it will feel fuller and you will have a lot more life than one big fish crashing around.