Fish Only: What is the best non-reef safe fish?

[Peace River]

Fish Only: What is the best non-reef safe fish?

So you’re thinking about starting a fish-only tank and you want to try a non-reef safe fish? Which one is at the top of your list? Is there a fish that you have always wanted, but have avoided it because it wasn’t reef safe? Maybe it's because the fish isn't safe to your reef or your reef isn't safe for the fish. Is there a fish that you would develop your fish stocking list around if you were to have a fish-only tank? With so much attention on corals in the saltwater hobby, let take a minute to discuss non-reef safe fish.

This is a royalty-free image from Pixabay

Did you know that Reef2Reef has a section on the forum completely focused on fish-only tanks? If you have a fish-only tank or are thinking about starting one, please take a look at the fish-only area. Oh, and fish-only tanks don’t have to only be for non-reef safe fish!

 

[Typhon]

Blue Face Angel. Just love that fish.

 

[JZ199]

I absolutely love the triggerfish, it has been making me reconsider my large build and make it fowlr and just keep corals in my flex

 

[Cthulukelele]

The first fish on my FOWLR list is definitely a dog face puffer. Their goofy faces and endearing personalities have always spoken to me

 

[OrionN]

French Angel pair

 

[dstockwell]

 

[Slocke]

Benefits of having a FOWLR: eels, and butterflies, and engineer gobies oh my!

 

[Willhersh34]

The jewel of my FOWLR is a Niger Trigger. Once I get past the waste he lays to the CUC he's a beautiful fish with a ton of personality.

Benefits of having a FOWLR: eels, and butterflies, and engineer gobies oh my!

Love the Engineer Goby. I have a couple right now, one in a FOWLR and one in a mixed reef. They are just cool looking fish.

 

[JC1977]

Definitely my queen angel!

 

[Pistol Peet]

Dog face puffer. Dragon wrasse is awesome and lion fish

 

[nereefpat]

Any full-size angel would get my vote. Even your run of the mill Koran is a showstopper as an adult, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[OrionN]

Harlequin Tusk is reefsafe. I have one in every one of my larger reef.

 

[Bucs20fan]

This isnt going to be a popular take for sure, but I did vote Humu, as I do have one in my Fowlr tank. It is a great fish, lots of personality and super easy to care for. I would also like to add groupers to this, they are super intelligent, are technically reef safe, they just eat alot. I would love to one day make a tank with a grouper and some corals. I have found they dont bother snails basically at all, and I would assume the same for hermits. Groupers are awesome personality wise and you dont have to worry about being picky eaters LOL.

And you can have an absolute show stopper of a grouper color wise, from the cherry grouper, to the panther or v tail, they are gorgeous fish.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Some sort of angelfish. If it were at all remotely responsible of me, I'd put a queen angelfish in my tank. Given that it's a 65 gallon reef, I doubt that that'll happen any time soon.

 

[design.maddie]

OH MY GAWD!! There are too many to pick. I first thought, easy, Dog Face Puffer. But what about a MORAY!!!??? What is better than a MOORRRAAAYYY!!!??? An Engineer Goby OFC!!!


I want a grouper

 

[Treefer32]

Had a Dragon Wrasse in a mixed reef for 3 years. Never again! I've thought about a live macro algae / Sea Horse tank, Would love to have a Dog Face puffer someday. Some of the Angels are amazing that are not reef safe. So many to choose from and all in a fish ownly.

 

[dennis romano]

Butterflies. You can't even find them at the LFS anymore. Stores only want to sell reef safe fish.

 

[MeanGreenStompa]

 

[SCReef'n]

Take your pick, except they're all in my reef.

 

[LPS Bum]

Large Marine Angels. All of 'em.

I have a French, Queen, Maculosus, Asfur, Majestic, Annularis and Emperor in my FOWLR, and they're all fantastic. Clarion would get my #1 vote, but they're $5,500+.