Softy tank with cool fish?

[Memeber007]

I have decided to switch my 220g to only soft corals such as leathers (sinularia, nephtea, toadstools) and different xenias. The reason is I would like to have some cool fish I couldn't have with other corals.

Any ideas what fish would do good with these?

So far on my list:

Blueface angel,
Perscale butterfly,
Radiata lion,
Morish Idol (have one)
Web puffer

 

[sponger0]

Puffer and a lion are a no. Puffers are known to nip their fins.

For the fish list you created, you would be better off just doing a FOWLR.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

Most angels are OK with leathers but xenia will likely be on the menu. Butterflies may also do some sampling. The puffer is probably a bad idea altogether and the morrish idol is going to be hit and miss.

 

[Reef264]

In my Experience, the Blue Face Angel usually goes after Acans, Favias, Open Brains, Euphyllia, Xenia's, and Softy's they especially like to eat.SPS are the only Coral They don't have much interest in with my experience.Sea Fans (Gorgonians) are usually ok to.

-Ray

 

[b0bab0ey]

Following with interest.

I'd like my next tank to be a mostly FOWLR, with just some expendable softies (like GSP) thrown in for color.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I have never had any angel eat leather corals, asfur, emp, blueface, majestic, meredithi, blueline, flagfin, none of these has ever so much as sampled any lobophyton, saraphyton, sinularia thet I have ever kept. They have all at one time of another sampled other inverts but leathers must taste pretty bad.

 

[b0bab0ey]

I have never had any angel eat leather corals, asfur, emp, blueface, majestic, meredithi, blueline, flagfin, none of these has ever so much as sampled any lobophyton, saraphyton, sinularia thet I have ever kept. They have all at one time of another sampled other inverts but leathers must taste pretty bad.

I wish my Lemonpeel felt this way. He's not destroying my leathers, but he nips at them from time to time.

 

[SaltWaterGuy08]

Maybe u can get away with the morish idol

 

[Hormigaquatica]

I have never had any angel eat leather corals, asfur, emp, blueface, majestic, meredithi, blueline, flagfin, none of these has ever so much as sampled any lobophyton, saraphyton, sinularia thet I have ever kept. They have all at one time of another sampled other inverts but leathers must taste pretty bad.

I had a juvenile Blueface in my leather tank for 6-8 months that behaved really well, until it started developing adult colors. Then it went nuts and started destroying my toadstools. I guess it depends on the individual animal.

On the OPs list, I would say the lion is the only truly coral safe animal, with the moorish idol being a distant second. Wouldn't suggest the others at all.

 

[Memeber007]

Thanks guys!

The only corals that I will most likely put in the tank are sinularia, nepthea, and purple/blue efflotunaria. I have lot's of those corals now...

Blueface is my favorite fish together with a cowfish so those I will do for sure. I've kept cowfishes for years so I am aware of what I am doing.

I also already have the belted wrasse and 4 yellow corris wrasses. I will pull the wrasses if I decide to go with a lion. The other fish that I already have are copperbend butterfly, longnose butterfly, moorish idol, masked swallowtail (male), and bluejaw trigger.

Will keep you posted

 

[sleeri]

Pearlscale could be a problem. Had one several years ago and it destroyed most of the mushrooms I had in my softy tank. Not sure what it would do the corals you listed, but probably risky. Love the fish though.

 

[ReefTeacher]

My blueface ate every soft coral in sight.....but my yellow leather was his favorite. He regualrly took large bite out of the sinularia too. I have never kept a pearlscale butterfly, but I do have a red back right now. He never touches zoos mushrooms leathers or xenia, but your mileage may very!

 

[Memeber007]

Alright so I made a change couple of days ago and so far so good.

So far I got:

Adult blueface angel
Belted wrasse
blue throat trigger
Male blonde naso tang
Moorish Idol
4 yellow corris wrasses

I decided not do get the puffer, and I am still debating on doing a lionfish. The problem is catching the wrasses if I go with the lion.

Other fish that will go in for sure are:
Regal angel
Long nose butterfly
copperband butterfly
Masked swallowtail angel
Longhorn cowfish

Any ideas on colorful fish that should do good with leathers? I don't worry about bioload too much as I have about 300g of water valume and run biopellets.