Harlequin Tuskfish questions

[bobbyrobot]

So I have been considering adding an Australian Harlequin Tuskfish to my 150 reef. I have seen a few of these in reefs and they look amazing. I don't have any shrimp to be concerned about because I have a golden dwarf moray and a mystery wrasse. But those two fish are my concern. I have heard these guys will eat small fish also. The mystery wrasse is about 2 inches. My lfs has had an Australian tusk for a few weeks that eats like a champ right now. It's about 3.5-4 inches. Guess I'm looking for some advice/ opinions.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[mike007]

I have had mine now for about 2 months and he is doing great. This guy never bothers anything. They are very nice fish for sure.

 

[bobbyrobot]

Good to hear. I have not heard of them being overly aggressive but this would be a final fish and I want it to be a looker haha.

 

[TJ's Reef]

Great fish and was one of my favorites in an old FOWLR system I had, palled around constantly with my Dragon Wrasse. Maybe just an opportunistic friend though as he of course let the Dragon do all the heavy lifting then was quick to dash in for a quick grab at a bristle worm or whatever was uncovered. Dragon tolerated it so must have been buds...

Cheers, Todd

 

[Sman]

My Tusk eats all forms of fish food ...very mellow...swims a lot . I give him a shrimp or mussel every couple days . Gets along well with my imperator , blue faced angel , red hawk fish , Coney grouper and diamond goby . Very cool fish ...buy him Ha

 

[bobbyrobot]

Yeah my mystery wrasse is a bit of a jerk. It will take krill out of my golden dwarf morays mouth and push my 7 inch male blond Naso out of the way for food. So I feel it could fend for itself but those teeth look pretty brutal haha.

 

[Sman]

Mine doesn't like conflict ...just swims around .

 

[bobbyrobot]

Ok. It's a done deal. I'm getting it. Any of you have one in a reef?

 

[Sman]

Just stays out of everyone's way , I don't know anyone that has one in a reef . It would look cool in a reef tank though .

 

[bobbyrobot]

Nice. Nice angels also. I have seen a few online in reefs but don't know anyone personally.

 

[mike007]

Mine is In a mixed reef with lots of corals. The only problem I have Is my maroon clownfish will not leave him alone. Hopefully when he gets bigger he will kick his butt. lol

 

[dave9905]

I had one in a reef years ago, didn't bother anything. I have only seen them eat small fish if they are added after the tusk wrasse, I guess they look at smaller fish as food when you put the new addition in...

 

[bobbyrobot]

How small of fish are we talking? Do they tear them apart like a triggerfish would?

 

[dave9905]

im talking about gobies and small basslets, damsels, and no not as aggressive as triggers

 

[bobbyrobot]

Ok. I don't have anything like that.

 

[Kreefer]

I have had one for a about year now, he's about 7-8 inches. He's a big wuss.. Always looking for caves to hide in. But it does fine in a reef as far as being coral safe but be careful if u have any clams. shrimp will be lunch.... He could also take out your cuc if not well fed, they have those teeth for a reason

 

[bobbyrobot]

He looks great!

 

[Pappy]

Hope I'm not too late but say good bye to your clean up crew great fish but I had one that ate prob 300 blue legs in 3-6 months and I always feed heavy so he wasn't hungry!

 

[bobbyrobot]

Yeah I'm not concerned about any cuc. They are easy to replace and worth it for such a beautiful fish.

 

[angelsandtangs]

had one for years loved emerald and gorilla crabs but left my cleaner shrimps alone... Be careful tried one in a acrylic fowlr and he scratched the tank very badly