Harlequin Tusk Fish- Fish tankmates

[gofor100]

Hello Everyone,

Planning my stocking list and have always wanted to put an Australian Harlequin Tusk fish in a large reef (my tank will be 300+ gallons).

Besides inverts (i.e., crabs/snails/shrimp/etc.), does anyone have any experience keeping these fish with smaller reef fish (i.e., sandsifting gobies/other gobies, halichores wrasses, anthias, etc.)?

I know they look mean, but have heard quite the opposite and wanted to get some insight from people that have kept this fish with other, smaller fish.

Thanks in advance for the help,

Chad

 

[clowntriggerfis]

they will eat inverts but I dont think they hurt other fish

 

[gofor100]

I've heard the same thing about the inverts, but was wondering if I should be concerned about the smaller fish I would be keeping.

To add to it, I was thinking of keeping a pair of twinspot gobies, which are thought to mimic a crab (or so I've read), which would concern me since they are mimicking the very thing the Harlequin eats. Maybe if the gobies are in first, and I purchase a juvi Harlequin, then they'll have a chance, but just checking with everyone first...

Thanks again,

Chad

 

[clowntriggerfis]

not sure they might try if it looks like a crab

 

[gofor100]

not sure they might try if it looks like a crab

Hahaha... I guess the worst scenario would involve a sad meal for the harlequin.

Anyone have some experience with this scenario?

Thanks,

Chad

 

[jwm2k3]

Ive had a few tuskfish over the 20+ years of fishkeeping...a harliquin tusk will eat anything it can get into its mouth, inverts, other fish...it dosent discriminate. Almost as bad as a grouper. Good luck.

 

[Big E]

I agree...........20 years ago I had one in a predator type tank & it would catch goldfish that were much bigger than his mouth. He'd catch them, beat them on rocks to rip apart into bite size morsels.

The second one I had wasn't fed goldfish, but he could still tear up large chunks of food just the same. I small slow moving fish would be an easy dessert.

 

[NiTr0x911]

Hahaha... I guess the worst scenario would involve a sad meal for the harlequin.

Anyone have some experience with this scenario?

Thanks,

Chad

I've had my Aussie Tusk for about 2 years.He doesn't go after any fish I have in My 180,most of which are way smaller than him.I do have a few LARGE hermits (Golf Ball size) and he harrases them non stop.My BlueFace Angel rules the tank,maybe thats why he doesnt mess with the smaller fish.Very cool fish either way.

 

[gofor100]

Interesting that there's mixed reviews (or at least one person that has a tuskfish that doesn't bother smaller tankmates).

Nitrox911: do you mind sharing what kind of other fish are in the tank with yours?

Thanks everyone for your replies!

-Chad