Harlequin Tuskfish, tank mates

[rbja]

Hi I can use some help.

I have a seven year old Harlequin Tuskfish that has been the only fish in the tank now for close to 2yrs maybe even longer .
I was wanting to add maybe at least 2 more fish to the tank.
So my question is, what would be the best 2 candidates to go into the tank with him? Knowing he's going to probably be aggressive. Since the tank is just his.
Tank size is a 180 gallon.

Thanks for any help.

​

 

[rbja]

Forgot to mention it's a fish and live rock tank only no coral

 

[griss]

@Dr. Reef will likely have some good suggestions.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Harlequin will be aggressive towards any new additions unless and no guarantee, if the new fish are larger in size.

 

[griss]

Harlequin will be aggressive towards any new additions unless and no guarantee, if the new fish are larger in size.

I knew you’d have good insight

 

[OrionN]

My Harlequin is not aggressive toward new fish or inverts unless they are bite size. When I add small fishes and shrimps, I add them in the evening after the Tusk went to bed. I had multiple Tusk, the current one I raised from 1 inch. Have to keep him in QT and have to cut mysis into small segment because the whole mysis was too larger for him to eat. He is now about 5 inches. I recently added a pair of CB Majestic Angels at about 1 inch in size. I did not even consider if he will eat them. He was fine with them. Both doing very well right in their new home. My tank is a 320 gal tank.
It goes without saying that the Harlequin Tusk needs to be well fed and not hungry and hunting for food. However, been full will not stop him from eating dazed, disoriented small bitesize fish that just get dump into a tank, so you must add them when he is as sleep.

 

[OrionN]

I added bite size wrasse, 1.5 inches H. iridis last light. I don’t anticipate any problem. The Tusk is a lazy fish and rather eat out of my hand than go hunting shrimps and fish. He hunts less motile animals like small snails and worms just fine. However, I have never lost bite size mobile tank mates to mine after the first 2 or 3 minutes. My H. iridis added last night is only 1.5 inches. My male Iritis was also only 1.5 inches when I added her with no problem.
BTW I added them after the Tusk went to bed. Last night, I had to set up a night light and slowly dimmed the light to give my Iridis baby time to go into the sand to sleep. My tank definitely not a friendly for fish, small or large blowing around in the dark. They will become expensive anemone food.

 

[brookeee]

Hi! Your Harlequin Tuskfish sounds like a really cool fish. Since he has been alone in the tank for a long time, he might be a bit aggressive when you add new fish. But your tank is a good size at 180 gallons, which gives you more options. You can try adding one or two big, strong fish like a large Angelfish or a Tang such as a Naso or Sailfin. These types of fish can usually handle being with a Tuskfish. It’s a good idea to use a tank divider at first so they can get used to each other safely. Make sure your equipment is working well too, like the filter and any hiding spots. And if you ever need help with fishing equipment, feel free to ask!