Fuzzy dwarf in a community reef?

[Reefermack]

Hi there, I've always liked these little guys but avoided getting one. Would they do well in a mixed community reef? All other fish are peaceful and not small enough for him to eat, Are they reef safe? Any comment welcomed, thanks.

 

[NewbieReefer11]

Hi there, I've always liked these little guys but avoided getting one. Would they do well in a mixed community reef? All other fish are peaceful and not small enough for him to eat, Are they reef safe? Any comment welcomed, thanks.

As long as he cant fit any of the fish in its mouth it shouldnt go for anything. What is your stock list and tank size?

 

[Dsnakes]

I would also consider flow and structure. He will likely need a space to avoid the flow and have hiding spots available to hang out on. That’s if you’re willing to accept the potential loss of fish.

 

[Reefermack]

Reefer 250, yellow tang, blue tang, pair of clowns, pair of mandarin gobies and a melanarus wrasse

 

[andrewkw]

It can be done, but it is possible you lose the clowns especially the male, and the mandarins. I had a red fuzzy dwarf for years. I did have a small female mandarin and a single clown. He never looked at them. That being said he did eat one fish. It was a small wrasse who was disorientated when I first added him to the tank. An honest mistake as he never did eat another fish. I had him about 5 years.

A couple of things. I got mine real small so when I first added him he was no threat even to the mandarin. He didn't eat for 1 month plus when I first added him until I realized he ate the peppermint shrimp I forgot I had. I actually bought 3 more for him to eat then he transitioned to pe mysis ect. Just because mine was good doesn't mean yours will be. Anytime you add a fish that can eat it's tankmates it could happen.

I couldn't find a pic of mine with small fish since I had him 8 years ago but here is a photo from back then. What a beauty. I'd love to get one again some day.

 

[nereefpat]

Very pretty red variant, @andrewkw

I agree that this lion is coral safe, but it's a gamble with shrimp, crabs, and smaller fish (clown, mandarin).

 

[FoxyFace]

I have one and I’ve seen it try to grab my bicolored blenny and sailfin blenny. Both are about 4 inches. I actually thought the sailfin was a goner but it wiggles free.

My husband wanted the dwarf lion so that’s why I got one. I wouldn’t get one again. It’s difficult to find appropriate food for it. Saltwater feeder shrimp are hard to come by here.