sc50964
New member
I hope that's not your answer to every fish selection/compatibility question. IMO, I wouldn't recommend doing so unless there is a backup plan when things don't work out.
Puffer/Boxfish in a reef
- Thread starter bialy
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I hope that's not your answer to every fish selection/compatibility question. IMO, I wouldn't recommend doing so unless there is a backup plan when things don't work out.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
Not really sure about this...
As long as you stay with the Scarus genus of parrotfish, you are good. Many on here have quoyi and (like myself) princess parrotfish. They do spend a good amount of time picking at the rock, but are very careful not to pick at any coral. They pick around it very well, and I have never seen mine damage any coral at all, and I have a mixed reef with both lps, sps, and a very tempting brain on my sandbed. When food lands on and around my coral, the parrotfish simply won't go after it. She'll swim up to it, then swim away looking for easier pickings...
Often times, many people will get the parrotfish we keep in our reefs confused with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T-gnZevlaY
Completely different type of parrotfish...
As for triggers, most Xanthichthys are safe. I had a pair in my 225g along with the aforementioned parrot for a couple of years with absolutely no issues at all in regards to coral or inverts. (My male trigger forced my female into starvation with his over exuberant mating attempts, and she passed last week.) I had all 3 fish with just about every invert you can imagine (from nudibranchs, to decorative clams, to shrimp, to crabs) with absolutely no issues at all. I will advise that triggers are very inquisitive fish, though, and will try to pick up anything they can and move it around. If it is glued down, they tend to leave it alone, so if you glue down your coral, you are good...
Experiences with parrots and triggers: They are very active and large fish in comparison to most frags, so from time to time, I have witnessed one of my fish swim past a sps frag, and accidentally break it when they ran into it as they swam by, but my foxface has done the same. This will happen with larger fish...
Also: My male trigger and parrotfish fought quite a bit when the male trigger was attempting to mate with my female trigger, so if you do the combination, I'd suggest not to have them all three together with an established trigger pair. After the female trigger passed, the male trigger and parrotfish stopped fighting...
In conclusion, the scarus parrots offered for trade in this hobby and the Xanthichthys triggers are as reef safe as a large fish can be. They may knock over your frags, but won't eat your coral or inverts. But each individual fish may vary (as always)...
CedzAquAddictio
New member
You have to take some of that stuff with a grain of salt, and do your own research. Allot of these websites take their information from already existing databases. I've seen websites that describe our fish with the exact description of what was listed in the youtube site I posted above. I've seen some sights say my fish will get up to 4 feet long, and others that say it will top at 9 inches.
I've also seen some sites that say the Niger trigger is reef safe, and some say that it is not. Don't put all of your faith in what one or two websites say. Everything on the internet isn't completely accurate.
I'm sure the multitude of people on this site that have owned one of these fish can provide more actual real-life experience in this case than BZ. No disrespect to BZ as these statements applies to all on-line vendors, but how many parrotfish do you think BZ has actually had in a reef tank for an extended amount of time and monitored it's behavior around coral and inverts? Chances are that they got their information from an existing database, and every parrotfish they have had or sold have lived in the commercial fish cubicle systems or a small somewhat bland aquarium that most fish vendors keep their fish in from the time they receive them until the time they ship them out. It's hard to observe a fish's true behavior in a small empty space. I'll put my and other members of this forums experience (with actual parrotfish in actual reef tanks) up against a fish's behavior in a fish cubicle anyday...
I've also seen some sites that say the Niger trigger is reef safe, and some say that it is not. Don't put all of your faith in what one or two websites say. Everything on the internet isn't completely accurate.
I'm sure the multitude of people on this site that have owned one of these fish can provide more actual real-life experience in this case than BZ. No disrespect to BZ as these statements applies to all on-line vendors, but how many parrotfish do you think BZ has actually had in a reef tank for an extended amount of time and monitored it's behavior around coral and inverts? Chances are that they got their information from an existing database, and every parrotfish they have had or sold have lived in the commercial fish cubicle systems or a small somewhat bland aquarium that most fish vendors keep their fish in from the time they receive them until the time they ship them out. It's hard to observe a fish's true behavior in a small empty space. I'll put my and other members of this forums experience (with actual parrotfish in actual reef tanks) up against a fish's behavior in a fish cubicle anyday...
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sc50964
New member
Whatever. There is no point to argue or speculate source of info. You don't need to convince me and vise versa. I have a princess parrot myself. Judging by its behavior and what's out there online, there is at least a good chance that's it's not reef safe. It's OP who needs to take all these in and decide for himself.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
I wasn't trying to argue with you. Opinions are opinions based on whatever research that particular person has done and experienced. Neither one of us have stated 100% fact. That's almost impossible in this hobby as each individual fish will vary.
This is a fish forum. None of this stuff is personal. Don't take it that way. I'm sure neither of our fish's feelings are hurt by what was said, why should ours be? My fish won't start eating coral because of what you or BZ have to say, and yours won't stop (if it is) because of what I have to say, or what others have experienced. Fish don't even read these boards. We are just giving the OP two different ways to look at his potential purchases...
Best of luck!!!
This is a fish forum. None of this stuff is personal. Don't take it that way. I'm sure neither of our fish's feelings are hurt by what was said, why should ours be? My fish won't start eating coral because of what you or BZ have to say, and yours won't stop (if it is) because of what I have to say, or what others have experienced. Fish don't even read these boards. We are just giving the OP two different ways to look at his potential purchases...
Best of luck!!!
To sc50964: No offense (again my opinion) I have owned a blue jaw and red tail (both members of the genus mentioned above and they were reef safe. From all of MY OWN research that I did, I conclude that 99% of people don't have issues. I feel like for the triggers and parrots mentioned above, the "Reef Safe: No" sign means that they may eat inverts. I even emailed LA when I first got into the hobby and they told me "Because we consider inverts part of the reef and these fish can eat them, we mark these fish as not reef safe even though they almost never hurt corals. Again I am not starting an argument but I think you mean that they are not fully invert safe.
To everyone else: I have thought about the Quoyi parrot (sry for spelling) and done research. I have seen that many people had issues with them scratching the glass with their teeth, leaving lots of little scar looking marks everywhere, any experience with this? Also, with the Bellus Angel, are they slow growers and should I get a pair if I get them? If I wanted to get a male crosshatch, does anyone have experience? I know each fish is different but what are their personalities, male or female, those sorts of things. I am leaning towards either a trigger or the Bellus, but if a parrotfish lover wants to convince me, go for it! Again, post pics of your little fishies (the quarter size Bellus please!!!!)(also the parrotfish! and tell me about them!!!!) THANKS
To everyone else: I have thought about the Quoyi parrot (sry for spelling) and done research. I have seen that many people had issues with them scratching the glass with their teeth, leaving lots of little scar looking marks everywhere, any experience with this? Also, with the Bellus Angel, are they slow growers and should I get a pair if I get them? If I wanted to get a male crosshatch, does anyone have experience? I know each fish is different but what are their personalities, male or female, those sorts of things. I am leaning towards either a trigger or the Bellus, but if a parrotfish lover wants to convince me, go for it! Again, post pics of your little fishies (the quarter size Bellus please!!!!)(also the parrotfish! and tell me about them!!!!) THANKS
sc50964
New member
CedzAquAddictio
New member
This is an absolutely valid point if you have an acrylic tank. I believe it was "Coral Lagoon" that posted a thread about it. If you have a glass tank (like I do), there is no problem at all. Depending on the mood, mine will spend quite a bit of time fighting his reflection with his beak. There is no damage at all to my glass tank. If you have an acrylic tank, I'd scratch (no pun intended) from your list. If you have a glass tank, no worries...
I'll post up some pics later tonight...
Tagging along... I'd like more info on this as well as I was considering replacing my female trigger with one. As mentioned above, I know it'll be hell on my inverts, but I'm interested on how well it will get along with my parrotfish as well...
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Yea the regal angel was my show fish in that tank. It did not bother any of my corals. I didn't have any clams so i can't say for the clams.
The bluethroat is out roaming around all the time. He may stay hidden for a few days until he gets used to the tank. But he does have his cave he retreats to when he feels uncomfortable. For example when a stranger walks up to the tank he retreats to his cave. Im hoping to add a female soon and hoping they will pair up.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
Good info. How large is your tank? Hoping my 225g isn't too small to have similar results. Thanks!!!
el aguila
Member
I love my Quoyi parrotfish! It has eaten algae at the base of SPS frags without any damage that I can see. In the first week that it was in my tank I did see it nip at the tip on a gorgonian, but no one in the family has seen it do this since. It is an algae eater par excellance and is keeping my byropsis mowed down.
I would advise keeping them well fed. No different than one should do for many angels commonly kept in a reef.
It is giving my Sargassum a challenge to being the boss of the tank. The trigger is not reefsafe in the sense that it eats shrimp. That is it's only drawback in my opinion.
I would advise keeping them well fed. No different than one should do for many angels commonly kept in a reef.
It is giving my Sargassum a challenge to being the boss of the tank. The trigger is not reefsafe in the sense that it eats shrimp. That is it's only drawback in my opinion.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
If you think your BT Trigger is beautiful now, wait until you add your female. His color will perk up dramatically!!! Mine had nice color, but never really showed it until I added the female. Then he was in full color constantly.
Both of my BT triggers were out constantly as well. The first out when the lights came on, and the last to go to bed. They were often still swimming about even after the lights went out... The are full column swimmers.
Example: My yellow tang and foxface only stay at the bottom half of the tank. The triggers use the tank top to bottom, in the open water column, and explore the rocks as well. It'll take a few weeks for them to feel comfortable, but once they have settled in, they will be very active...
sc50964
New member
CedzAquAddictio
New member
I don't know which to choose now! How can I tell if my tank is glass or acrylic, I got it from a friend so idk. Also I am really looking for a full water column swimmer so I am leaning towards a bluethroat/crosshatch and possibly a baby harlequin (I know a guy). My tank is almost cube shaped which is why I am looking for a fish who will fill in the top part and swim! My only dilemma is if I don't have a female, will the color still be bright? Yes, I know the harlequin will eat inverts but I am willing to make that sacrifice. PLEASE POST PICS EVERYONE!!!!!!! THANKS!
If there is silicone in the corners it is a glass tank.
Yes my male has vibrant colors. FYI I picked up my male for $70 at a lfs. He has a female he is holding for me for $30. So if you chose to go that route check around for pricing even if the have to order it for you. All the others I found were in the $150 range.
Yes my male has vibrant colors. FYI I picked up my male for $70 at a lfs. He has a female he is holding for me for $30. So if you chose to go that route check around for pricing even if the have to order it for you. All the others I found were in the $150 range.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
I will admit that the quoyi is more attractive than the parrot IMO, and if you do get a tusk, you may want to reconsider any other smaller fish. They will go after them...
Also: All I have are crappy camera phone pics. Howpe they show well...
Couple of vids:
Couple of pics:
Also: All I have are crappy camera phone pics. Howpe they show well...
Couple of vids:
Couple of pics:
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