Is batfish Reef safe

[Chris33027]

I need to know some say they are but then some say not reef safe

 

[pcon]

Not sure there are many coral tanks in the world large enough to keep batfish. They grow up into huge foot and a half ugly grey monsters. Fish base says they feed off of algae, jellyfish, and gelatinous zooplankton. which indicates they are somewhat a benthic feeder, so there is always some risk with any benthic feeder, especially a large omnivore like the batfish.

 

[samnaz]

Not unless you’ve got a seriously massive tank that can fit an 18” tall fish. I can’t say whether or not they are “reef safe” but their huge size and extremely high mortality rate would be my main concern. Odds are it will parish before it gets the chance to nip your corals. Resist the temptation, that’s my advice. ;-)

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Not unless you’ve got a seriously massive tank that can fit an 18” tall fish. I can’t say whether or not they are “reef safe” but their huge size and extremely high mortality rate would be my main concern. Odds are it will parish before it gets the chance to nip your corals. Resist the temptation, that’s my advice. ;-)

Agreed. Beautiful fish as a juvenile, but not a good choice for most privately owned aquariums

 

[Dragon52]

I had a couple many years ago & they don't live long, never could get them to eat & died within a week, never tried again.

 

[Fishnut]

I had a 2 inch Teirabat years ago that ate my anemone and LPS. Out grew my 90 gallon in less then two years. Great personality and pet but they are just too fast growing for most aquarium keepers.

 

[OrionN]

40 years ago I got an Orbicularis Batfish that our grew my 55 gal tank in a few months. Never keep another batfish.

 

[Chris33027]

I had a 2 inch Teirabat years ago that ate my anemone and LPS. Out grew my 90 gallon in less then two years. Great personality and pet but they are just too fast growing for most aquarium keepers.

Am just having trouble to get him to eat

 

[Chris33027]

40 years ago I got an Orbicularis Batfish that our grew my 55 gal tank in a few months. Never keep another batfish.

Am just having trouble to get him to eat

 

[Fishnut]

any luck getting it to eat?

 

[Chris33027]

any luck getting it to eat?

Yea I got to eat but my spotted goby killed it

 

[Mical]

40 years ago I got an Orbicularis Batfish that our grew my 55 gal tank in a few months. Never keep another batfish.

I had an "Orb" also - great fish but fish only tank. They grow fast but are NOT reef safe - any torches, hammers frogspawns are a buffet for them

 

[Chris33027]

I had an "Orb" also - great fish but fish only tank. They grow fast but are NOT reef safe - any torches, hammers frogspawns are a buffet for them

Yea I got to eat but my spotted goby killed it