Porcupine/Burrfish with Corals?

[techigirl78]

I know there was a thread at one point that indicated many people have had luck keeping porcs/burrfish in reef tanks. Anyone recall what corals they tend to leave alone? Do you have one in a reef? experiences? I want to get a spiny box puffer and it is a reef tank, but I could move most corals around. The only ones I couldn't move would be the leathers. I was thinking of maybe QT it in a 30gal or so and then trying different corals with it prior to putting it in my 125gal.

 

[mattsilvester]

I think sooner or later the puffer will take a much out of the corals..... just for something to do..... but thats just my opinion, not my experience.

 

[AquaKnight]

I think it could be done. If you check out the Porcupine on saltwaterfish.com they have a photo of one with a couple corals. Porks and Spiny seem to be more carnivoristic then most Anthrpo. puffers and don't sample as much.

 

[meintn]

I have a porcupine puffer (3") in with a frogspawn, zoas, and a few sps and he hasn't bothered anything in the few months he's been in there.

 

[My-eel-bit-me]

Depends on the coral. Most LPS and clams would probably be goners. Wouldnt suggest it though.

 

[techigirl78]

The tank only has PC lights, so no clams will be in it. I'd also move all the LPS out as I know they'd be more risky.

 

[stdreb27]

I wouldn't do it. They will go after them, but I equate a non-coral munching puffer to well a vegan. They happen, but I think it is more of an urban legan, than truth.

 

[reefergeorge]

I have my 6" porcupine in with some mushrooms, gsp, and some small zoes.
I frag my reef to get them so if he does eat some its not hurting anything.

 

[u418936]

I've had three different porc puffers in my reef a aquarium over a span of a few years. Whenever a puffer gets too big and messy, I exchange him for a smaller one. They never bother my corals, clams, or shrimp. But they'll eat any shelled animal that they can crush in their mouths, so you can't keep small hermits or snails.

Has anyone ever seen a porc puffer eat a coral? Every puffer I've had pretty much spends all of his time bottom of the tank or in a cave unless he's begging for food. I've never seen a puffer actually swim around the tank looking for food--even with the lights off. The grazing fish like pygmy angels (which I've had bad luck with) seem to be more likely to bother corals and clams.

 

[LauraCline]

My Toby samples everything in the tank, I would not trust him with corals. He swims constantly even at night and pecks on everything.

 

[techigirl78]

Thanks everyone.

I saw a thread where puffer queen indicated that sometimes porcs bite food on a coral and take a chunk out of it. Otherwise, I don't see too many indicating they intentional go after corals - like tobies and dogface puffers.

I think I'm going to try it out. I plan to be like george and have frags in other tanks in case the little guy takes a liking to any of the corals.

I'm would like to go with a spiny burrfish as I know a 125 is on the low end for a larger porc and I want to keep it long term.