Harlequin tusk in QT- Please help!

[MrTuskfish]

Glad to hear it! Just a heads up; HTs are much more timid than they appear. They seldom will become the Alpha fish in a tank with close to their size. It takes quite a while for them to become "upfront" fish and its nothing to worry if they spend longer than expected to get out and about. At first, its a good idea to spot feed them if necessary. As they get used to things, other fish seem to know they're to threat, except to small fish and inverts. When they become secure and develop their adult colors, they are magnificent. I have 2 about 8-9" (in different tanks) and when begging, they will show those big, blue teeth and spit water through the screen covers. Really gives little kids a thrill. Like all wrasse, these fish WILL jump. I've had at least one HT for many years and have never seen one bully any fish they can't eat.

 

[pjsonnentag]

Thanks for the comments guys- and all the advice along the way. It's been 48 hrs now and the HT and powder blue are finally pals. No more aggression and they're both out and about. It makes for quite a colorful display. They have both carved out night-time hides, which is nice.

Dave- to your question- they're in a reef. I know the HT may take out snails here and there, and he WILL find my emerald crabs, but that was a calculated risk (sacrifice?). I'm doubling up on water changes and watching water chemistry closely to make sure all the sessile inverts are happy. So far, all is well (knock on wood)!

-Pete

 

[kegogut]

Thanks for the comments guys- and all the advice along the way. It's been 48 hrs now and the HT and powder blue are finally pals. No more aggression and they're both out and about. It makes for quite a colorful display. They have both carved out night-time hides, which is nice.

Dave- to your question- they're in a reef. I know the HT may take out snails here and there, and he WILL find my emerald crabs, but that was a calculated risk (sacrifice?). I'm doubling up on water changes and watching water chemistry closely to make sure all the sessile inverts are happy. So far, all is well (knock on wood)!

-Pete

Good to hear that theyre getting along Pete. Yea,as you assumed the reason I asked was for the inverts which for me would be a sacrifice for such a beautiful addition. I would definitely do the same thing.


Im glad hes working out for you. Keep me informed how many he eats because Im trying to talk the wife into getting one.

 

[triggreef]

Congrats on the successful qt. I have a HT in my qt now from bluezooaquatics. It's been about a week now and he seems great, eats everything with gusto.

 

[pjsonnentag]

Pics!

Pics!

Not to jinx it, but here are pics after 96 hrs in the DT. HT is eating great and playing nice with the tang....no invert casualties to be had....yet. Not even interested in the clams in the least.

 

[Deinonych]

Great to see your HT is doing well after treatment. Good looking fish!

 

[kegogut]

Nice rockwork you got there. Glad to see everyone is getting along. He really is beautiful .

 

[triggreef]

Nice pics I like the set up!

Just wondering if you have any conchs in there too? I have a few in the tank my ht will be going into, and I would like to keep them in there. But I can move them elsewhere if need be. I may try moving all but one to see if he goes for it and go from there.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Looks good! I think you can expect a little push & shove from the PBT, just a reminder that he's the cg kahuna in the tank. I think HTs are the perfect for any FOWLER big enough to house them. They don't bother other fish and are big & toothy enough to avoid being picked on. I've kept them with the nastier tangs as well as adult large lions. Finding fish that are big enough not to be eaten by big lions, yet won't mess with the lions isn't easy. I wouldn't bet on the conchs lasting long and HTs will eat small fish. Once through acclimation; they should last for many years with proper care.

 

[gsiegel]

Not to jinx it, but here are pics after 96 hrs in the DT. HT is eating great and playing nice with the tang....no invert casualties to be had....yet. Not even interested in the clams in the least.

Nice and congrats! Give him time with the clams. Your HT looks like a clone of mine. Sorry to completely change the subject but in the picture about 3/4 up on the tusk you see a curved almost dotted like line. Mine has the same thing - what is that?