juvenile harlequin tusk what do you think

SOARnTACO · Feb 10, 2019

It’s my b-day coming up got permission to go crazy. I have a 125 gallon reef tank. FX6 filter and hob octopus protein skimmer. Going to add a sump soon when I get the lay out right. But here is my dilemma.

I been looking at this diamond goby to get for empty 55gallon qt. But now the lfs has a juvenile harlequin tusk from Australia. I wouldn’t mind a 3rd fish to avoid any picking on each other in the qt. 3rd being a yellow tang or another wrasses for the dt. Up in the air on the 3rd fish

What’s the thought on having a trio of fish of that qt.

Daniel Waters · Feb 10, 2019

3 fish in a 55 gallon quarantine tank should be fine, assuming the fish are compatiable. I would not put another wrasse with a harlequin tusk. Diamond goby will do best with sand, but if you are planning on treating in QT, sand may not be a good idea. Obviously, some PVC and such are good ideas to have in QT, as fish will feel more secure.

The juvenile tusk and goby should not have any issue sharing space in QT so a 3rd fish is not needed in that regards.

SOARnTACO · Feb 10, 2019

I don’t have pvc in the qt but smaller stackable rock that was left over from the 125 aqua scape. Was thinking of putting sand in a Tupperware for the goby the tusk is just a nice surprise to see there that got me to walk out the lfs and re think my game plan. As it was on my list of fish I would like but not actively looking for. Plus it’s got a price tag of $180 to go with it so it’s a pricy fish.

SOARnTACO · Feb 10, 2019

Also a mandarin Dragonette is on my list once I get my sump and display refugee. Would there be issues there I’m sure my pair of cleaner shrimp will be at risk as the tusk grows

Daniel Waters · Feb 10, 2019

If you aren't treating with medications (i.e. copper), using rock and sand is fine in the QT.

I'm not sure the diamond goby will be as content with just a Tupperware bowl of sand. Usually people do that to give a wrasse a place to bury and sleep. A diamond goby likes to create burrows to sleep in at night, which it's not going to be able to do in a Tupperware bowl. I'm not sure if it's critical in qt but I know that mine likes to borrow under rocks and covers up the entrances each night. My best guess is if you put a Tupperware bowl of sand in the qt, the goby is going to move all the sand to a piece of rockwork where he thinks he can create a burrow and he will pile the sand there working tirelessly all day till he gets it created...part of their charm. I'd probably go ahead and create a rock cave type area with the rock I had. Tank cover is critical. Doamond gobies are jumpers. If you have area large enough for his head, he will find it and jump out!

You want some caves with your rocks, which is why PVC works great. The tusk will want to wedge itself in between rocks or will stay in a cave area at night (and maybe during the day depending how stressed he is).

I'm not familiar with dragonnetes. I don't think it is an issue with a juvenile tusk, and I'm not certain on compatiability with a goby. You can look up the compatiability charts on places like live aquaria for more information.

Your cleaner shrimps will most likely be fine with your tusk. If he grows up with them in the tank, I don't think he will bother them (mine never touched my cleaner shrimp). If you were to try to add new shrimp later when he is larger, my guess is he would see those additions as food. Your snails will most likely be eaten, depending on the type of snail and size of the tusk. My turbos were usually safe as he couldn't grab their shells very well. All my cone shaped snails like trochus and astrae snails got systematically wiped out over time (I probably had 40+). But I loved my tusk.....great fish.