Puffer resistant corals

[jimmyx36]

Hi folks,

I know everybody says small puffers and and boxfish aren't reef safe, but I've also heard people say you can make it work by avoiding certain corals. For example, I've heard sharp nosed puffers like acans. My understanding is that they aren't coral generalists but have specific appetites for certain corals.

My tank is soft corals only so I'm looking for recommendations for compatible corals as well recommended species of puffers, cowfish, and boxfish.

 

[Spartan]

I have 2 sharp nosed puffers in my softie tank. A 3.5" blue spot (2 years or more) and a 1" Caribbean/bennetts (6 months). No issues at all w the corals ( I don't have any acans). Interestingly, they have a reputation for picking at other fish. I have not once seen anything like that from either of them.

 

[nikon187]

all fish are individuals. what one didnt eat another may go to town on. you will have to try different corals and see. Fleshy stuff is going to be on the menu more than likely

 

[Silly clownfish]

My Valentini did not bother frogspawn, mushrooms, or Acans. Green star polyps survived with her, but I am not convinced she did not pick at them. She did nibble on the tips of birds nest. I only put frags of coral from my other tank in with her - basically the overgrowth that I pruned off and would have disposed of anyhow. She also did not bother rock flower anemones.

Now snails were a different story. I could toss her nuisance snails form my freshwater tank and she would eat them before they had a chance to die from the salinity.