Reef Safe? Rabbitfishes...

Reefing Newbie · 07/27/2011, 09:37 PM

I was doing some research into rabbitfishes as I want 3 larger fishes for my 125 gallon. The other two larger fishes would be a kole tang and a PBT. Otherwise the rest of the fish I plan on getting stay around 3". I want to know how reef safe rabbitfishes are. Not exactly sure what kinds of corals I will be getting. The corals will probably be whatever I can manage in my tank that I liked so that may mean lps, sps, and softies.

jimsplace · 07/28/2011, 04:11 AM

I had one, it ate all of my zoa's, sent him packing.

bobpiker · 07/28/2011, 05:05 AM

I've had one for over a year...about 6" and he has never so much as nibbled at one of my zoas. Keep 'em fed well and it's doubtful he'll eat zoas in my opinion. I doubt that zoas taste anywhere near is good as nori or mysis.

KSzegi · 07/28/2011, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobpiker

I've had one for over a year...about 6" and he has never so much as nibbled at one of my zoas. Keep 'em fed well and it's doubtful he'll eat zoas in my opinion. I doubt that zoas taste anywhere near is good as nori or mysis.

+1. Haven't had mine for quite a year yet but he has been a model citizen in a mixed tank.

Typlus5 · 07/28/2011, 05:23 AM

Reef safe with caution brings on a whole new meaning. I had a bluelined foxface and was a model citizen for 30 days then he began the terror of dessimating my expensive zoa colonies, acans, lobo and the mantle of my prized maxima clam. I fished him out (literally) and I traded him to a guy with a FOWLR.
Personally, I'll never try another in my reef.

snorvich · 07/28/2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typlus5

Reef safe with caution brings on a whole new meaning. I had a bluelined foxface and was a model citizen for 30 days then he began the terror of dessimating my expensive zoa colonies, acans, lobo and the mantle of my prized maxima clam. I fished him out (literally) and I traded him to a guy with a FOWLR.
Personally, I'll never try another in my reef.

they are NOT reef safe. For a while they may behave, but if they get the idea that corals are good, they are terrible.

jeff@zina.com · 07/28/2011, 06:41 AM

Rabbitfish are generally ref safe. But that's a generality and, like any "reef safe" fish, there are exceptions. I've found that, as grazers, they tend to annoy corals more than actually kill them or eat them, but it's a similar effect. Give them plenty of algae or Nori and they tend to stay away from the softer corals.

Jeff

adam87 · 07/28/2011, 10:31 AM

I have a 7'' lo foxface for two years in my reef tank with no problems. But I do feed him alot of food.

aday2remmbr · 07/28/2011, 10:40 AM

not even a problem, very rarely will it nibble or eat corals, but there is always an exception to the rule.

Reefing Newbie · 07/28/2011, 10:43 AM

Okay, so one should be fine as long as it is well fed? How often are you guys feeding them to keep them from eating your softies? Also how much is a lot? I know the clownfish I have would eat half a cube of brine shrimp, mysis, and blood worms. The two damsels in the tank don't get as much as they look like they need. All three of these fish will be traded in FYI. Also would the rabbitfish be a last addition before the rants or does it not matter?

daveonbass · 07/28/2011, 10:52 AM

I always add them first, because in my experience they are great grazers and are the rare fish that will actually, single handedly, keep algae at bay. Plus none of mine have ever hurt a single coral, be it soft, lps, or sps. Mine have all been model citizens, but again they've had plenty of food.

Reefing Newbie · 07/28/2011, 11:20 AM

I guess first wouldn't be bad, there is some brown algae along with some hair algae that came with the tank... I was going to add a small pair of B&W Ocellaris Clowns first after QT. Then go from there. I am thinking of the Bicolor Rabbitfish, any pros and cons vs the Foxface?

wwanthony · 07/28/2011, 11:23 AM

Wiped out my zoos.

Reefing Newbie · 07/28/2011, 11:44 AM

Right now it seems 50/50. Did the people who had problems feed them very much? I just want to see if the killing of zoos and other corals is due to lack of nutrition. From the good experiences everyone said that they fed them lots of food.

anbosu · 07/28/2011, 11:49 AM

There are no absolutes in this hobby. I would say most rabbitfish are not reef safe based on what I have read on this board. It might work, and feeding it a lot certainly won't hurt, but you could easily wake up to missing corals.

Reefing Newbie · 07/28/2011, 12:22 PM

Yes always exceptions as someone said earlier. I guess I will make it one of the last additions. As in probably the last fish before the tangs are added to the tank. Taking this risk could be a mistake or work fine. I will learn in time, but just in case I will start off with the cheaper corals and also ask my lfs before purchasing.

aday2remmbr · 07/28/2011, 12:24 PM

its about as risky as adding a dwarf angel i would say based on other peoples opinions.

frankpayne32 · 07/28/2011, 01:38 PM

I've had a one spot foxface rabbitfish in my 125 for close to two years and he has been in a model citizen in every way. I have many different kinds of fish and most types of inverts available (SPS, LPS, zoas, softies, clams, etc). He is a mellow fish and great algae eater.

aleonn · 07/28/2011, 01:49 PM

I would love to have a rabbit fish or fox face, but I think a lot of them are ticking time bombs that one day will go on a zoa rampage.

Reefing Newbie · 07/28/2011, 03:16 PM

Like I said, I think I will get one feed it well and keep an eye on it. Plus having an ample amount of algae growing for it's grazing should steer it away from corals. At least that is what I would think. They would eat nori wouldn't they? Nori would be in the tank all the time with the gangs being in there as they need to eat a lot!

Moort82 · 07/28/2011, 03:23 PM

What makes them different to tangs in respect to corals? Aren't they a similar species in terms of dietary needs?

Reefing Newbie · 07/28/2011, 05:09 PM

Gangs arent similar to rabbitfish when it comes to corals. I haven't heard of rants eating corals at all. Rabbitfishes are similar in dietary needs I believe as therabbitfish graze on algae and are good at eating hair algae from what I have read. I would think that they would eat nori when it is offered to the tangs...

frankpayne32 · 07/28/2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aleonn

I would love to have a rabbit fish or fox face, but I think a lot of them are ticking time bombs that one day will go on a zoa rampage.

Really?! I am very surprised by this. This is the first time I've heard that they eat zoas. I've had a one spot for almost two years with zoas and have never had him nip one, or any other coral for that matter.

Reefing Newbie · 07/28/2011, 07:05 PM

How much, often, and what are you feeding your onespot? I have done some more reading on rabbitfishes, and it says if underfed or not enough nutrition in foods, they may start nipping/eating corals. So I want some input on what, how much/often people are feeding their rabbitfishes.

wwanthony · 07/28/2011, 07:30 PM

I feed my fish four times a day (I drip vodka). I feed a mix of meaty foods, flakes and veggies. I have an automated delivery system. I also clip macro in the tank a couple of days a week. The rabbits were fed very, very well. They wiped out hundreds of polyps. I also have dwarfs that do not touch the corals. IME dwarfs just nip every now and then. The rabbits mowed my tank.

I would not take a chance.

BTW: The zoos grew back after a removed the rabbits from my tank.

07/27/2011, 09:37 PM	#1
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	Reef Safe? Rabbitfishes... I was doing some research into rabbitfishes as I want 3 larger fishes for my 125 gallon. The other two larger fishes would be a kole tang and a PBT. Otherwise the rest of the fish I plan on getting stay around 3". I want to know how reef safe rabbitfishes are. Not exactly sure what kinds of corals I will be getting. The corals will probably be whatever I can manage in my tank that I liked so that may mean lps, sps, and softies.

07/28/2011, 04:11 AM	#2
jimsplace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 633	I had one, it ate all of my zoa's, sent him packing. __________________ Jim Current Tank Information; - 90 Gallon DT / 30 Gallon Sump - SPS Dominate - IC VHO Lighting

07/28/2011, 05:23 AM	#5
Typlus5 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gonzales Louisiana Posts: 966	Reef safe with caution brings on a whole new meaning. I had a bluelined foxface and was a model citizen for 30 days then he began the terror of dessimating my expensive zoa colonies, acans, lobo and the mantle of my prized maxima clam. I fished him out (literally) and I traded him to a guy with a FOWLR. Personally, I'll never try another in my reef. __________________ TY I'm sure there's a way...and I have the will Current Tank Info: 110 Reef Savvy rimless, 40B sump, Current EFlux Return, XR15 Pros w/Reef Link, BK Mini 180 skimmer, MP40wES...driven by Apex

07/28/2011, 10:52 AM	#11
daveonbass Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: texarkana, TX Posts: 1,364	I always add them first, because in my experience they are great grazers and are the rare fish that will actually, single handedly, keep algae at bay. Plus none of mine have ever hurt a single coral, be it soft, lps, or sps. Mine have all been model citizens, but again they've had plenty of food. __________________ dave Current Tank Info: 58g reef, 60 total gallons including rocks and sand, 36" 6 bulb ATI Powermodule, DAS skimmer, Bio pellets, 2 MP10 vortechs

07/28/2011, 01:38 PM	#18
frankpayne32 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,177	I've had a one spot foxface rabbitfish in my 125 for close to two years and he has been in a model citizen in every way. I have many different kinds of fish and most types of inverts available (SPS, LPS, zoas, softies, clams, etc). He is a mellow fish and great algae eater. __________________ Frank Payne Advice to new hobbyists: listen to people that have a tank you would like to have one day, not to those with a high post count. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon in-wall (build thread is my homepage).

07/28/2011, 05:05 AM	#3
bobpiker Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Normal, IL Posts: 349	I've had one for over a year...about 6" and he has never so much as nibbled at one of my zoas. Keep 'em fed well and it's doubtful he'll eat zoas in my opinion. I doubt that zoas taste anywhere near is good as nori or mysis.

07/28/2011, 06:41 AM	#7
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	Rabbitfish are generally ref safe. But that's a generality and, like any "reef safe" fish, there are exceptions. I've found that, as grazers, they tend to annoy corals more than actually kill them or eat them, but it's a similar effect. Give them plenty of algae or Nori and they tend to stay away from the softer corals. Jeff

07/28/2011, 10:31 AM	#8
adam87 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IL Posts: 812	I have a 7'' lo foxface for two years in my reef tank with no problems. But I do feed him alot of food.

07/28/2011, 10:40 AM	#9
aday2remmbr Moved On Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 384	not even a problem, very rarely will it nibble or eat corals, but there is always an exception to the rule.

07/28/2011, 10:43 AM	#10
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	Okay, so one should be fine as long as it is well fed? How often are you guys feeding them to keep them from eating your softies? Also how much is a lot? I know the clownfish I have would eat half a cube of brine shrimp, mysis, and blood worms. The two damsels in the tank don't get as much as they look like they need. All three of these fish will be traded in FYI. Also would the rabbitfish be a last addition before the rants or does it not matter?

07/28/2011, 11:20 AM	#12
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	I guess first wouldn't be bad, there is some brown algae along with some hair algae that came with the tank... I was going to add a small pair of B&W Ocellaris Clowns first after QT. Then go from there. I am thinking of the Bicolor Rabbitfish, any pros and cons vs the Foxface?

07/28/2011, 11:23 AM	#13
wwanthony Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 417	Wiped out my zoos.

07/28/2011, 11:44 AM	#14
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	Right now it seems 50/50. Did the people who had problems feed them very much? I just want to see if the killing of zoos and other corals is due to lack of nutrition. From the good experiences everyone said that they fed them lots of food.

07/28/2011, 11:49 AM	#15
anbosu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mount Juliet, TN Posts: 4,528	There are no absolutes in this hobby. I would say most rabbitfish are not reef safe based on what I have read on this board. It might work, and feeding it a lot certainly won't hurt, but you could easily wake up to missing corals.

07/28/2011, 12:22 PM	#16
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	Yes always exceptions as someone said earlier. I guess I will make it one of the last additions. As in probably the last fish before the tangs are added to the tank. Taking this risk could be a mistake or work fine. I will learn in time, but just in case I will start off with the cheaper corals and also ask my lfs before purchasing.

07/28/2011, 12:24 PM	#17
aday2remmbr Moved On Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 384	its about as risky as adding a dwarf angel i would say based on other peoples opinions.

07/28/2011, 01:49 PM	#19
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I would love to have a rabbit fish or fox face, but I think a lot of them are ticking time bombs that one day will go on a zoa rampage.

07/28/2011, 03:16 PM	#20
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	Like I said, I think I will get one feed it well and keep an eye on it. Plus having an ample amount of algae growing for it's grazing should steer it away from corals. At least that is what I would think. They would eat nori wouldn't they? Nori would be in the tank all the time with the gangs being in there as they need to eat a lot!

07/28/2011, 03:23 PM	#21
Moort82 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norfolk, England Posts: 1,576	What makes them different to tangs in respect to corals? Aren't they a similar species in terms of dietary needs?

07/28/2011, 05:09 PM	#22
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	Gangs arent similar to rabbitfish when it comes to corals. I haven't heard of rants eating corals at all. Rabbitfishes are similar in dietary needs I believe as therabbitfish graze on algae and are good at eating hair algae from what I have read. I would think that they would eat nori when it is offered to the tangs...

07/28/2011, 07:05 PM	#24
Reefing Newbie Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,435	How much, often, and what are you feeding your onespot? I have done some more reading on rabbitfishes, and it says if underfed or not enough nutrition in foods, they may start nipping/eating corals. So I want some input on what, how much/often people are feeding their rabbitfishes.

07/28/2011, 07:30 PM	#25
wwanthony Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 417	I feed my fish four times a day (I drip vodka). I feed a mix of meaty foods, flakes and veggies. I have an automated delivery system. I also clip macro in the tank a couple of days a week. The rabbits were fed very, very well. They wiped out hundreds of polyps. I also have dwarfs that do not touch the corals. IME dwarfs just nip every now and then. The rabbits mowed my tank. I would not take a chance. BTW: The zoos grew back after a removed the rabbits from my tank.

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