Reef safe fishes

[travis32]

Well, I know the term reef safe is thrown around a lot and well, I realize given the fact we're simulating a tiny tiny piece of the ocean that really nothing is guaranteed reef safe.

So, what I'm going to preface this with is that by reef safe, I mean there's a very good chance that the species won't damage clams, SPS, LPS, or soft corals.

So, with that said, I was hoping to have an angel and / or a butterfly fish of some type in my 125g. Is there a tank sized appropriate species of either that has a good chance of being "reef safe". I understand that 99.9% of all butterflies and angels are with caution.

Same with most angels except the belas angel. Which, isn't all that great of a fish from what I"ve read. I'm open to any suggestions, if you have any.

 

[snorvich]

Genicanthus angels and pyramid butterfly are your best chance.

 

[sickfish]

as mentioned genicanthus angels are the most reef safe angels

With butterflies, I've seen a lot of copperbands in reef tanks, as well; of the two longnose butterflies Forcipiger longirostris is pretty reef safe and schooling bannerfish aren't meant to be that big a threat either.

it really is a shame that that so many of the best looking fish aren't reef safe

 

[zooty]

Curious why you say a bellus "isn't all that great of a fish"?

We have one and its been pretty much great with other other fish and coral.

 

[travis32]

it really is a shame that that so many of the best looking fish aren't reef safe

If I'd had a say in these fishes development more of them would have been reef safe.

The other one was rabbit fish my wife and I liked. But, well, the above quote really sums it up well!

 

[SDguy]

As mentions, Chelmon, Forcipiger, and Hemitaurichthys butterflies are some of the safer choices.

Genicanthus angels are almost always safe.

If you are willing to remove some corals if they get picked on, you may open the door to many more choices

 

[paul_111]

I've a copperband butterfly for ~6 months. It's a nice fish and there's no aiptasia to be found in the tank.

I've seen flame angles that don't nip. I had a coral beauty that was ok for a while, but turned into a nipper (he's gone now). I think it's luck of the draw.

Have you looked into wrasses? They are some really cool fish!

Paul

 

[jcw]

Same with most angels except the belas angel. Which, isn't all that great of a fish from what I"ve read.

What have you read?

My bellus is great! Swims around lot. Doesn't hide usually. Doesn't attack smaller fishes even at feeding time. Survived my ich infested DT and is flourishing in hypo.

Nice blue color and stripes too.

 

[tcmfish]

It seems like every few months someone comes on and talks about how their Genicanthus angel nips, which is probably what he is referring to. But I think SDGuy summed it up well though. Those four Genera will give you a lot to choose from.