Reef with caution fish?

[bamf25]

I see numerous fish as listed as reef with caution. How up to date are these recomendations and what are people's experince with them? The ones I would be interested in keeping are....

Butterflies
Foxfaces
Rabbitfish
Dwarf Angels (I know they are touchy)

Has any oneone had good luck with any of these in reefs, and if so what did you do?

 

[aquaph8]

It depends on the fish. Some are labeled that way cause they could potentially eat corals others may not be shrimp or invert safe. When they come with the caution label they could behave perfect or could be terrors. Its always good to research each fish individualy.

 

[chimmike]

regardless, there is no guarantee that you'll get a reef-safe fish. There's always the chance you're taking, as they're wild animals.

 

[Rebel]

I will give you what you're looking for via your post, with a certain agreement with what has been said: each fish is unique and you will never know. Those fish are given the "caution" label because of plenty of experiences you are not looking for.

That said, I have kept--at various times and in different tanks--flame angel, coral beauty x2, pygmy angel, and a foxface (sorry, no sci names). I have never had any issue with any of them nipping clams or corals. Just lucky, I guess.

Of course, I have a regal angel in QT right now and I am sure I won't be as lucky--but he's sure a beautiful fish so I am up for a redesigned reef.

 

[MCCOOL]

It depends on the fish. Some are labeled that way cause they could potentially eat corals others may not be shrimp or invert safe. When they come with the caution label they could behave perfect or could be terrors. Its always good to research each fish individualy.

+1

A foxface is a rabbitfish and I've seen them nip at LPS, same goes for angels.
Some butterflies are obligate coralivores and eat coral only, others are fairly safe.
It all comes down to the individual fish, like aquaph8 said, research the individual species before purchase.

 

[snorvich]

What they said. ^^^^^

 

[nickman]

I had a scribbled rabbitfish go a month without touching a coral. I got home after leaving town for the weekend to find he'd eaten an entire 100+ polyp rock of Red people eater zoos. That's the last one ill ever buy.

 

[nynikki]

I really love my foxface, but he is eating my pulsing xenia and green star polyps. =(

 

[snorvich]

I really love my foxface, but he is eating my pulsing xenia and green star polyps. =(

Some people would consider that a wondrous event!

 

[katspaw]

Back in the day of my big tank, I had a foxface and a coral beauty, both seemed to be happy eating foods I fed them and pretty much left my corals alone. That being said, I also had a long finned butterfly that went to town on my softies I had in my tank. And what a biotch he was to get out.

 

[andycrash77]

I have been keeping a Foxface, Flameback Angel, Golden Angel and juvenile Emperor Angel with over 50 kinds of SPS corals/frags for almost a year (plus one Trumpet Coral) with no problem. I even left to visit the U.S. twice for three weeks and feeding was only every other day. I also had a Cherub angel who was well behaved but had to return it to the store as it was going to kill the Flameback and Golden when they were added.

Exceptions being that they all will still food from the corals which might be misinterpreted by some. The Emperor also used to take runs at my Christmas tree worms (Porites) when she was tiny, but I solved that by moving it to the "top shelf" where she never goes.

Good Luck

andy

P.S. I have almost 200 lbs. of live rock in a 150. These could be factors.

 

[MCCOOL]

I have been keeping a Foxface, Flameback Angel, Golden Angel and juvenile Emperor Angel with over 50 kinds of SPS corals/frags for almost a year (plus one Trumpet Coral) with no problem. I even left to visit the U.S. twice for three weeks and feeding was only every other day. I also had a Cherub angel who was well behaved but had to return it to the store as it was going to kill the Flameback and Golden when they were added.

Exceptions being that they all will still food from the corals which might be misinterpreted by some. The Emperor also used to take runs at my Christmas tree worms (Porites) when she was tiny, but I solved that by moving it to the "top shelf" where she never goes.

Good Luck





andy

P.S. I have almost 200 lbs. of live rock in a 150. These could be factors.

SPS corals are much less prone to harassment, meaty LPS (brains, acans, etc.) are apparently much more delicious.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Lots of folks keep risky fish without any issues, others aren't so lucky.

 

[LemonLemon]

a fish considered generally safe with corals and invertebrates but certain wayward individuals may have the propensity to pick on certain desired said corals, or invertebrates.

that's how i usually interpret it.

so just be cautious

 

[bamf25]

I have a few reef caution fish I really like (ie a butterfly and a dwarf angle), in fact when I first wanted to do a salt tank, I almost talked myself into only doing FOWLR because of this. Now I have a tank (no water yet), and I realize that most people eventually go reef, so I do not want to closer the door. I also realize the wife is VERY unlikely to approve a second tank when the first is not even setup yet.

 

[vono]

I have a flame angel in my reef tank. Great addition imo. I've seen no nipping at my corals. I feed twice a day.

 

[nynikki]

Some people would consider that a wondrous event!

LOL! I don't really mind the picking at the green stars, but I kind of like the pulsing xenia!

That said, my foxface pretty much eats anything and everything else I put in the tank, and has finally started taking to the dry seaweed I've been giving him, so he seems to be going after the corals a little less. I guess only time will tell. =)