Foxface = not reef safe. Try again?

[Miami Reef]

@Miami Reef What fish trap do you use? Just curious in case of future need.

This one: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/assembled-acrylic-fish-trap-bubble-magus.html

@PeterC99 recommended it to me. It was worth every penny because I had a lot of different fish nip at my trachyphyllia. Those corals are the most susceptible to getting nipped. They are scrumptious.

It took about a day or two to catch the fish. Some were caught within 30 minutes. I can catch ANY fish I want. Long gone are the days of tearing apart aquascapes.

 

[SPS2020]

This one: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/assembled-acrylic-fish-trap-bubble-magus.html

@PeterC99 recommended it to me. It was worth every penny because I had a lot of different fish nip at my trachyphyllia. Those corals are the most susceptible to getting nipped. They are scrumptious.

It took about a day or two to catch the fish. Some were caught within 30 minutes. I can catch ANY fish I want. Long gone are the days of tearing apart aquascapes.

Thanks!

 

[Miami Reef]

You’re welcome!

Here is my trachyphyllia and acanthophyllia collection.

Reef Safe with caution doesn’t tend to work well with them lol.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hey, Crabs Mcjones.


Do you keep brain corals?

I didn't. Wasn't ever a coral that interested me. I was more into sticks and euphyllia

 

[littlefoxx]

I’ve had 2 foxface fish nip/pick at my LPS brain corals in the past. I can’t remember if I ever had a good experience with one.

Ever since I rehomed the last one, the bubble algae really started taking off.

I’m thinking of trying one again. I have a really good fish trap, so I’m not worried about removing the fish if it starts nipping.

Has anyone had a good experience with a foxface fish being a good citizen in a reef tank?

Edit: by brain corals, I mean trachyphyllia.

Yes! My girl is super good with corals. She doesnt like the cloves (the ones that look kinda like palm trees, I forget the name) but she leaves all other corals alone!

 

[i cant think]

You’re welcome!

Here is my trachyphyllia and acanthophyllia collection.

Reef Safe with caution doesn’t tend to work well with them lol.

I’d personally try a different species, so far the Magnificent foxface has been a good one for me. In total I’ve kept Siganus species for maybe 6-7 years now and the Magnificent Foxface has never proven me wrong with being reef safe. My current one is 4 years old

 

[TurboTang]

I’d personally try a different species, so far the Magnificent foxface has been a good one for me. In total I’ve kept Siganus species for maybe 6-7 years now and the Magnificent Foxface has never proven me wrong with being reef safe. My current one is 4 years old

I'm wondering too whether some species are more prone to eat coral. But someone posted above their magnificent was quite the problem - in fact theirs was named "Malificant the Magnificent"

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I’d personally try a different species, so far the Magnificent foxface has been a good one for me. In total I’ve kept Siganus species for maybe 6-7 years now and the Magnificent Foxface has never proven me wrong with being reef safe. My current one is 4 years old

Great looking fish!

 

[BigSkyRich]

I’ve had 2 foxface fish nip/pick at my LPS brain corals in the past. I can’t remember if I ever had a good experience with one.

Ever since I rehomed the last one, the bubble algae really started taking off.

I’m thinking of trying one again. I have a really good fish trap, so I’m not worried about removing the fish if it starts nipping.

Has anyone had a good experience with a foxface fish being a good citizen in a reef tank?

Edit: by brain corals, I mean trachyphyllia.

I'm on my second one spot and have had good luck with them staying away from the coral. Maybe a slight nip here and there, but nothing that concerned me. He is well fed, tho. Wish he would enjoy the macro algae in the tank that I got him for, but no such luck

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive physically caught Orange spot eating zoas even when Im standing right there

Goldline eating zoa and my trachy coral

Then tried one more time and magnificent eating also zoa and polyps off my bonsai tree and goniopora

 

[jarak200]

Never had any problems from my Foxface and i have a couple of nice Trachy's but now I will keep an eye on him.

 

[BVF]

My one-spot has never picked on my zoas, favias, or the trachy…except maybe to steal some food.

 

[areefer01]

I have decided against the foxface. Thanks guys!

I will try a mix of pitho + emerald crabs from reef cleaners.

Pitho's are nice as are emeralds but similar to your experience with the foxface animals will do their thing which may not be what we purchased it for. My typical recommendation is buy the utility animal because you want it first and utility second. And right there with utility comes what is an acceptable risk you will take by keeping it. Usually those things keep me honest.

I will say that if you have a large display and not many soft corals like Xenia than Biota's GoldLined Rabbit is a good looking herbie. But again - buy it because you want it and not because of its utility

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Ive physically caught Orange spot eating zoas even when Im standing right there

Goldline eating zoa and my trachy coral

Then tried one more time and magnificent eating also zoa and polyps off my bonsai tree and goniopora

Likewise with a few signaus species (punctatus, guttatus and magnificus), they ate coral (softies and lps) and everything else. Only one that didnt go hog wild on coral that I've owned was a short lived uspi.

 

[Joe.D]

Got a One Spot Foxface earlier this year to help with bubble algae. While he wouldn’t touch the larger bubble algae initially, I’ve since removed all rock and scrubbed with peroxide. Since then, he and the few emerald crabs (I think they are still there, I never see them) have kept it at bay. I maybe scrape a few every other water change.

As for corals - so far so good. I have zoas, a couple of acans, hammers, torches and some various mushrooms and It doesn’t appear he’s touched them.

So far, I love the fish. I’ll likely need to rehome him in a couple of years as I don’t only have a 75 gallon display. The White Tail Tang tried to harass him at first - then the flash of the dorsal ended that. Now they are buddies and hang together all the time picking at the rock work.

 

[JohnD4g]

No problems here. Going on 5 years with a sizable Foxface and four brain corals... Lobos, Trachys, Acans, & Symphillias. Foxface and Yellow Tang are best friends, where one goes, the other follows.

 

[Miami Reef]

I got a foxface. My LFS had one in his frag tank with corals, and he offered it to me since I struggled with them eating coral. Wish me luck!

 

[TurboTang]

I got a foxface. My LFS had one in his frag tank with corals, and he offered it to me since I struggled with them eating coral. Wish me luck!

Cool! Wish you the best - sounds like the best start possible. What type is it?

 

[Miami Reef]

Cool! Wish you the best - sounds like the best start possible. What type is it?

Vulpinus.

 

[Suesea]

I guess it depends entirely upon luck if you happen to get a foxface whatever species that doesn't decimate your LPS. Good luck Miami Reef. I am definitely going to either selling or trading my magnificent foxface.