Any WEIRD reef safe fish?

forddna · 09/10/2008, 04:36 PM

Are there any unique or weird looking fish that are reef safe?

reefergeorge · 09/10/2008, 04:41 PM

Frogfish... I know they are coral, and large fish safe. The others ??

Moonstream · 09/10/2008, 04:42 PM

well, if by reef safe you mean wont eat hermits, corals and snails, but will/ might eat fish and shrimps, then IMO dwarf lions and frogfish are cool, the frogfish needs a species only tank, and the dwarf lions need a tank with larger fish, or fish that are small enough to be eaten and wont be missed if they are.

forddna · 09/10/2008, 04:52 PM

Exactly how small? Can you give an example of a fish that would be the minimum size? I'd LOVE a lionfish!

BangkokMatt · 09/10/2008, 05:39 PM

Dendrochirus brachypterus can be kept in a reef. There is still a chance they will munch on some smaller fish though (goby sized)
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...article_id=249

forddna · 09/10/2008, 05:52 PM

Well.......I have a 4" Goby and about a 2-2.5" Goby, so which Goby is "Goby Sized" ??

The little guy rarely comes out of his rock cave, though. I rarely see him.

forddna · 09/10/2008, 05:56 PM

What about the Dendro. Zebra?

Cantonesefish · 09/10/2008, 06:06 PM

Flying Gurnards are reef safe, but you need a large sandy area.

BangkokMatt · 09/10/2008, 07:09 PM

Ok - fish less than 2 inches

michael_cb_125 · 09/10/2008, 07:16 PM

A 2 inch lion or frog would try to eat a 4 inch goby. Length is not the only dimension to consider. Girth is just as important. A skinny 4 inch fish is easier to eat than a 2 inch fat fish.
~Michael

BangkokMatt · 09/10/2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by michael_cb_125
A 2 inch lion or frog would try to eat a 4 inch goby. Length is not the only dimension to consider. Girth is just as important. A skinny 4 inch fish is easier to eat than a 2 inch fat fish.
~Michael

This is true but...Dendrochirus brachypterus (the fish I am referring to) is unlikely to go after larger prey. Of course there are exceptions to the rule but in general....

forddna · 09/10/2008, 07:45 PM

Matt, would you say the fuzzy dwarf is more reef safe than the dwarf zebra? Less likely to try to eat my adult diamond goby?

I have 4 Cleaner Shrimp, too, so I need to consider them as well. Sounds like they would eat the shrimp, right?

tangers · 09/10/2008, 08:31 PM

Dwarf zebras are very difficult to get eating. I had one for about 2 months in my 125. I think he was eating pods or something because I only got him to eat once! I have heard better success stories out of fuzzy's. Either way I would highly recommend a qt to make sure that they are accepting food VERY well before you throw them in the reef. (Once you throw them in a tank that big they are n their own!)

forddna · 09/10/2008, 08:38 PM

well, poop. I've already lost two fish renowned for not being good eaters, and even though I saw them eat, I lost them anyway..so I'm scared.

Oh well. Guess no weird fish for me, besides my goofy Hippo..

tangers · 09/10/2008, 08:53 PM

just giving you a heads up on the zebra, I am sure there are plenty of others out there.

michael_cb_125 · 09/10/2008, 09:16 PM

Here are a few fish that are "reef safe" and kind of "weird:. I really like them

Banded Longfin Basslet

Marine Betta

High Fin Perchlet

Coral Croucher

~Michael

forddna · 09/10/2008, 09:17 PM

Woah..cool! Thanks! I really like that first one!

michael_cb_125 · 09/10/2008, 09:33 PM

That first fish has always been my favorite. The only other fish that comes close to it IMO is the orange back basslet. I have never had the banded long fin basslet, but I have had the orange back. They are very cool fish. You dont see them very often, but whenever I do see them, I have to reset getting them (as I am out of room).
Here is the orangeback:

michael_cb_125 · 09/10/2008, 09:34 PM

~Michael

Untamed12 · 09/10/2008, 11:30 PM

"reefsafe" is such a strange term. This guy doesn't eat my reef...or my shrimp...or eat my clam...so I suppose he is reefsafe.

He has certainly been trying to eat my coral gobies. I suspect he may have been successful in eating a couple of them....

I think he qualifies as weird.

Terryz_ · 09/11/2008, 11:05 AM

The long fin basslet is very very difficult to get feeding... It is cryptic in behavior and you will not see it after it enters your rockscape... I try twice and i gave up... But it is really a beauty...

Mark · 09/11/2008, 12:25 PM

Dwarf fuzzies make great reef fish. They will however eventually consume fish small enough, like your 2" goby. They are also cryptic enough to risk getting yourself stung when moving corals around. But they have a ton of personality and IME very hardy.

adam82 · 09/11/2008, 01:49 PM

hey Amanda check this guy out. probably not reefsafe but definetly wierd.http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_...catid=1156&N=0

adam82 · 09/11/2008, 01:55 PM

also check out the tilefish at dr. foster and smiths

ryan115 · 09/11/2008, 05:38 PM

Most of the "weirder" reefsafe fish, i.e. ones that you rarely see or ones that dont look typical, are that way for a reason. Fish that arent in the hobby often are typically either expensive or very hard to keep, even some fish that are cheap are really hard to keep or shouldnt be kept. Also fish that dont have a typical shape, may not be "reef" fish at all and may adjust poorly to a brightly lit tank. Before you buy and fish you dont know much about, research as much as you can, not only aquarium sites, but check and other sites like fishbase.org

09/10/2008, 04:36 PM	#1
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	Any WEIRD reef safe fish? Are there any unique or weird looking fish that are reef safe? __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

09/10/2008, 04:41 PM	#2
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	Frogfish... I know they are coral, and large fish safe. The others ?? __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

09/10/2008, 04:52 PM	#4
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	Exactly how small? Can you give an example of a fish that would be the minimum size? I'd LOVE a lionfish! __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

09/10/2008, 05:39 PM	#5
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	Dendrochirus brachypterus can be kept in a reef. There is still a chance they will munch on some smaller fish though (goby sized) http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...article_id=249 __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

09/10/2008, 05:52 PM	#6
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	Well.......I have a 4" Goby and about a 2-2.5" Goby, so which Goby is "Goby Sized" ?? The little guy rarely comes out of his rock cave, though. I rarely see him. __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

09/10/2008, 04:42 PM	#3
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	well, if by reef safe you mean wont eat hermits, corals and snails, but will/ might eat fish and shrimps, then IMO dwarf lions and frogfish are cool, the frogfish needs a species only tank, and the dwarf lions need a tank with larger fish, or fish that are small enough to be eaten and wont be missed if they are.

09/10/2008, 05:56 PM	#7
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	What about the Dendro. Zebra? __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

09/10/2008, 06:06 PM	#8
Cantonesefish with active cooling Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Such a place cannot be contained Posts: 818	Flying Gurnards are reef safe, but you need a large sandy area. __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: Angel & Butterfly Reef

09/10/2008, 07:09 PM	#9
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	Ok - fish less than 2 inches __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

09/10/2008, 07:16 PM	#10
michael_cb_125 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,358	A 2 inch lion or frog would try to eat a 4 inch goby. Length is not the only dimension to consider. Girth is just as important. A skinny 4 inch fish is easier to eat than a 2 inch fat fish. ~Michael __________________ "People are too durable, that's their main trouble. They can do too much to themselves, they last too long" The more I learn, the less I know. Current Tank Info: Elos Mini and 120

09/10/2008, 07:45 PM	#12
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	Matt, would you say the fuzzy dwarf is more reef safe than the dwarf zebra? Less likely to try to eat my adult diamond goby? I have 4 Cleaner Shrimp, too, so I need to consider them as well. Sounds like they would eat the shrimp, right? __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

09/10/2008, 08:31 PM	#13
tangers Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1,411	Dwarf zebras are very difficult to get eating. I had one for about 2 months in my 125. I think he was eating pods or something because I only got him to eat once! I have heard better success stories out of fuzzy's. Either way I would highly recommend a qt to make sure that they are accepting food VERY well before you throw them in the reef. (Once you throw them in a tank that big they are n their own!) __________________ "Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth." Henry David Thoreau Click on red house for build thread. Current Tank Info: 135 gallon corner. 3x kessil a360we's, gyre xf150, custom "L" shaped sump, all on apex

09/10/2008, 08:38 PM	#14
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	well, poop. I've already lost two fish renowned for not being good eaters, and even though I saw them eat, I lost them anyway..so I'm scared. Oh well. Guess no weird fish for me, besides my goofy Hippo.. __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

09/10/2008, 08:53 PM	#15
tangers Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1,411	just giving you a heads up on the zebra, I am sure there are plenty of others out there. __________________ "Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth." Henry David Thoreau Click on red house for build thread. Current Tank Info: 135 gallon corner. 3x kessil a360we's, gyre xf150, custom "L" shaped sump, all on apex

09/10/2008, 09:16 PM	#16
michael_cb_125 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,358	Here are a few fish that are "reef safe" and kind of "weird:. I really like them Banded Longfin Basslet Marine Betta High Fin Perchlet Coral Croucher ~Michael

09/10/2008, 09:17 PM	#17
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	Woah..cool! Thanks! I really like that first one! __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

09/10/2008, 09:33 PM	#18
michael_cb_125 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,358	That first fish has always been my favorite. The only other fish that comes close to it IMO is the orange back basslet. I have never had the banded long fin basslet, but I have had the orange back. They are very cool fish. You dont see them very often, but whenever I do see them, I have to reset getting them (as I am out of room). Here is the orangeback: __________________ "People are too durable, that's their main trouble. They can do too much to themselves, they last too long" The more I learn, the less I know. Current Tank Info: Elos Mini and 120

09/10/2008, 09:34 PM	#19
michael_cb_125 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,358	~Michael

09/10/2008, 11:30 PM	#20
Untamed12 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,578	"reefsafe" is such a strange term. This guy doesn't eat my reef...or my shrimp...or eat my clam...so I suppose he is reefsafe. He has certainly been trying to eat my coral gobies. I suspect he may have been successful in eating a couple of them.... I think he qualifies as weird. __________________ Fishlist: Tangs: Yellow, Vlamingi, Blonde Naso, Unicorn, Atlantic Blue Others: Maroon Clown(s), Foxface, Majestic Angel, Hawkfish and more.. Current Tank Info: 400gal Envision Acrylic reef started 04/07

09/11/2008, 11:05 AM	#21
Terryz_ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,095	The long fin basslet is very very difficult to get feeding... It is cryptic in behavior and you will not see it after it enters your rockscape... I try twice and i gave up... But it is really a beauty...

09/11/2008, 12:25 PM	#22
Mark Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA Posts: 4,542	Dwarf fuzzies make great reef fish. They will however eventually consume fish small enough, like your 2" goby. They are also cryptic enough to risk getting yourself stung when moving corals around. But they have a ton of personality and IME very hardy. __________________ -Mark TOTM March 2001 Current Tank Info: 225g stony reef, 38g softie

09/11/2008, 01:49 PM	#23
adam82 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 1,093	hey Amanda check this guy out. probably not reefsafe but definetly wierd.http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_...catid=1156&N=0 __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 150G build in progress

09/11/2008, 01:55 PM	#24
adam82 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 1,093	also check out the tilefish at dr. foster and smiths __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 150G build in progress

09/11/2008, 05:38 PM	#25
ryan115 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 753	Most of the "weirder" reefsafe fish, i.e. ones that you rarely see or ones that dont look typical, are that way for a reason. Fish that arent in the hobby often are typically either expensive or very hard to keep, even some fish that are cheap are really hard to keep or shouldnt be kept. Also fish that dont have a typical shape, may not be "reef" fish at all and may adjust poorly to a brightly lit tank. Before you buy and fish you dont know much about, research as much as you can, not only aquarium sites, but check and other sites like fishbase.org