Best natural predators for common coral pests

[luxauterna]

Hello everyone,

Please forgive me and point me in the right direction if there is already a post with this same intent. I was hoping to compile a list of the best natural reef safe predators for common coral pests. I know wrasses and dragonets are among the list, as well as some nudibranches. I was hoping people could post their experiences with some of these and their opinions on the best ones out there. I love wrasses, and their ability to mesh well in a mixed reef myself. I have a couple of zoa frags that have closed up over the last couple of days, and I did a dip on them using Coral Rx. Some small clear or beige (what looked to be copepods to me) came off, but I did not see any other creatures that I recognized as common pests. However, it made me want to ask the community. Thanks in advance!! Here is my favorite wrasse for this

 

[luxauterna]

no one?

 

[LegitFish]

The scooter blennies eat the regular brown flatworms...

 

[Tahoe61]

Pipe fish are known to eat Red Bugs.(not a good choice)
Even Blue Damsels will eat flatworms, sometimes they just need a little encouragement.
Yellow Coris Wrasse will eat Pyramid snails.(Wrasse is diurnal snails are nocturnal unfortunately)
Matted File fish sometimes will eat Majano and Aiptasia. (not always a sure bet).
Copper Banded Butterfly will sometimes eat Aiptasia. (poor choice for control)

 

[luxauterna]

nice , thanks for the posts! I am a huge fan of the melanarus wrasse as well.

 

[RonnieBlack]

Peppermint Shrimp, Mandarins, Banded Butterfly, are all good at controlling many pests, especially when they are still tiny..

 

[luxauterna]

yea it is too bad butterfly fish are a risk to other inverts or anemones . I have never had much luck with peppermint shrimp with aiptasia like sometimes advertised

 

[Livesfish]

For me it has two be an adorned wrasse, my friend runs a frag shop you want to see this thing when he puts new stock in. It is literally ripping pests off in seconds. Proper work horse of a fish.

 

[luxauterna]

adorned wrasse? i'll have to check it out! I don't think I have heard of that wrasse. That would be awesome to see.

 

[Livesfish]

adorned wrasse? i'll have to check it out! I don't think I have heard of that wrasse. That would be awesome to see.

Yup also known as a cosmetus wrasse because of the Latin.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+3152&pcatid=3152

 

[luxauterna]

oh sweet . thanks!

 

[Livesfish]

Hello everyone,

Please forgive me and point me in the right direction if there is already a post with this same intent. I was hoping to compile a list of the best natural reef safe predators for common coral pests. I know wrasses and dragonets are among the list, as well as some nudibranches. I was hoping people could post their experiences with some of these and their opinions on the best ones out there. I love wrasses, and their ability to mesh well in a mixed reef myself. I have a couple of zoa frags that have closed up over the last couple of days, and I did a dip on them using Coral Rx. Some small clear or beige (what looked to be copepods to me) came off, but I did not see any other creatures that I recognized as common pests. However, it made me want to ask the community. Thanks in advance!! Here is my favorite wrasse for this

Glad I could help.

 

[Karen Aguilar]

I need a fish that will eat amphipods(those little shrimp like monsters), but won't eat my green chromis. Any assistance appreciated