Helfrichi Firefish with my fish OK? (180 gallons)

[aleonn]

I have a 180 gallon reef tank (about 180 lbs LR) with mostly peaceful fish (blue/yellow/naso tangs, midas/starry/barnacle blennies, bonded false perc clowns, yellow canary wrasse, royal gramma, and pinkbar/diamond gobies). I have a Kole tang, yellow pyramid angelfish, and blue jaw trigger in QT.

I also have a semi-aggressive mystery wrasse in the DT that tends to pick on new arrival wrasses and other smaller fish. I plan to catch and relocate him to the sump while new arrivals settle in (if aggression persists, I'll trade/sell him).

Is my current livestock list compatible with the Helfrichi firefish? My tangs get excited during feeding time and I hope the firefish doesn't get intimidated or bothered. Please share your advice, recommendations, and experiences, thank you!

 

[SkullV]

In my experience, in a tank that size you will never see it. If the tangs are aggressive towards it at all it will be in the rockwork/sand 100% of the time.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Small fish are a natural part of a Blue Jaw's diet. I know there are exceptions to everything; but your new BJT could lunch on a few of your fish. IMO & IME; small, thin fish shouldn't be kept with any trigger. BJTs are not the most aggressive triggers, but you can't expect them to ignore their natural prey.

 

[aleonn]

Thanks for your replies. Although they look beautiful, sounds like my livestock are not compatible for a Helfrichi firefish. Would a flasher wrasse (Carpenter's or McCosker's) be more suitable?

@MrTuskfish:
I didn't think about the blue jaw's diet. I totally overlooked that part about small fish when I saw "reef safe" (with caution). He's a smaller trigger and the current fish are big enough where they don't fit in his mouth (yet). My thinking currently is that he'll (hopefully) learn to live with these smaller fish as they grow up together. He's currently in QT for another 2-4 weeks, so I'll continue to think about this risk though, thank you for bringing it up!

 

[aleonn]

Thanks for your replies. Although they look beautiful, sounds like my livestock are not compatible for a Helfrichi firefish. Would a flasher wrasse (Carpenter's or McCosker's) be more suitable?

@MrTuskfish:
I didn't think about the blue jaw's diet. I totally overlooked that part about small fish when I saw "reef safe" (with caution). He's a smaller trigger and the current fish are big enough where they don't fit in his mouth (yet). My thinking currently is that he'll (hopefully) learn to live with these smaller fish as they grow up together. He's currently in QT for another 2-4 weeks, so I'll continue to think about this risk though, thank you for bringing it up!

 

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks for your replies. Although they look beautiful, sounds like my livestock are not compatible for a Helfrichi firefish. Would a flasher wrasse (Carpenter's or McCosker's) be more suitable?

@MrTuskfish:
I didn't think about the blue jaw's diet. I totally overlooked that part about small fish when I saw "reef safe" (with caution). He's a smaller trigger and the current fish are big enough where they don't fit in his mouth (yet). My thinking currently is that he'll (hopefully) learn to live with these smaller fish as they grow up together. He's currently in QT for another 2-4 weeks, so I'll continue to think about this risk though, thank you for bringing it up!

Even a small BJT isn't above eating a small fish a bite at a time. I had a BJT that would attack the belly of a fish (including an adult Percula clown) that was obviously more than a mouthful; then devour him from there. He got 3 fish before I had the sense to move him. Triggers will typically feed this way. They're not gulpers, like lions, groupers, etc. The trigger may learn to live with your smaller fish; but expecting a fish to change thousands of years of programmed behavior may be a bit optimistic. I know some people have kept small fish with some of the ''nicer'' triggers; but I think that is the exception. If you can't find one of your small fish someday, I think I know where it will be. I hope it works, it just might. Your fish mix is very well thought out, IMO; but I'd seriously consider adding the trigger. Just his presence will intimidate already timid fish and you may not see some of them for days.

 

[zooty]

We broke down a nano and moved our Helfrichi to our 180. Plan was to keep him in an acclimation box for a few days but he escaped. Moved into the rockwork and didn't see him much for a few days but eventually started coming out and is out and about quite a bit. We have 2 Tangs (tomini & Hippo), perc pair, 3 fairy wrasses, cleaner wrasse, bellus angel, orange-stripe goby and purple tilefish. It actually hangs near the tilefish and chases the cleaner wrasse. The bellus is the only somewhat aggressive fish.

That said, the trigger could be an issue as stated

 

[snorvich]

The OP is a bit overstocked before adding the additional fish. The mystery wrasse is also likely to harrass firefish or flasher wrasses. And of course, the trigger is likely to do what triggers do.

 

[aleonn]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'll sell my blue jaw trigger. I don't want to risk my clowns and other smallish fish from being a meal! I'm not going to get a Helfrichi firefish either, and will try to catch the mystery wrasse before even considering a flasher wrasse.

 

[nightOwl]

Aleonn - I have had 3 in the past. They are expesive fish jerky! They can be jumpers when harassed so make sure your tank is covered. LiveAquaria has a chart you can use to check against any future purchases also. Based on your current list and future fish there may be a few issues.