The coral obstacle course

[Lavey29]

Do you ever worry about your fish running into a coral and getting injured like if one is chasing the other or does their internal sonar prevent this?

I have some branching SPS now extending out like low hung sticks on a tree and the fish just zip on by it with millimeters to spare. I wonder how well they can do it in low light as things ramp down? I have considered moving some pieces to make it a more safe swimming environment but the corals are doing well.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Great question/observation! Wondered the same myself - particularly with the show tank at an lfs I frequent. Fish are pretty amazing that way tho. I’ve watched a naso tang duck in and out of holes/gaps in aquascape with ease - I was holding my breath like no way he/she fits!? The only tallish structures I have in my aquarium are gorgonians so those probably don’t “hurt” to run into like a healthy stick would lol.

 

[Lavey29]

Great question/observation! Wondered the same myself - particularly with the show tank at an lfs I frequent. Fish are pretty amazing that way tho. I’ve watched a naso tang duck in and out of holes/gaps in aquascape with ease - I was holding my breath like no way he/she fits!? The only tallish structures I have in my aquarium are gorgonians so those probably don’t “hurt” to run into like a healthy stick would lol.

I agree if they are just free swimming and having fun they seem to enjoy darting in and out of tight places but I wonder what happens if they get spooked? Some of these coral branches are like spears and in low light it makes me nervous

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I agree if they are just free swimming and having fun they seem to enjoy darting in and out of tight places but I wonder what happens if they get spooked? Some of these coral branches are like spears and in low light it makes me nervous

Idk. I ran into a closed sliding glass door once - guess I learned to check my surroundings after that. And that was during the daytime lol. I guess I’ve come to realize fish are far more “intelligent” or perhaps more perceptive than I originally thought. They know where in relation to their hidey holes they are at all time. Thus they know the quickest and presumably safest (from pokey corals etc.) route back in case of emergency. Just a thought. Not certain tho.

 

[Lavey29]

And as we talk about this one long branch of my German blue was just broke off by my fish hitting it during the feeding melee.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

NOOOO!!! Lol

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

And as we talk about this one long branch of my German blue was just broke off by my fish hitting it during the feeding melee.

Do you have larger or more active fish? Tangs? These I could see needing an obstacle-free “raceway” if you will. I am not sure tho - I have no experience w/ these fish personally.

 

[Lavey29]

Do you have larger or more active fish? Tangs? These I could see needing an obstacle-free “raceway” if you will. I am not sure tho - I have no experience w/ these fish personally.

No smaller fish wrasses, coral beauty, etc...

 

[Lavey29]

Well it must be my lucky day. Surprisingly the fish broke the branch in the perfect spot to create a nice new frag for the tank. It's the branching German blue at the top of the rock now. Good job fish.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Redecorating! They did something they knew would be best for you hahaha

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Well it must be my lucky day. Surprisingly the fish broke the branch in the perfect spot to create a nice new frag for the tank. It's the branching German blue at the top of the rock now. Good job fish.

Very nice btw!

 

[Lavey29]

Redecorating! They did something they knew would be best for you hahaha

Well this goes into a whole other topic but I'm sure you know how your fish recognize you and get all happy when you walk into the room kind of like the dog when you get home from work.

 

[Lavey29]

I have to admit I do like the interior decorating better now that they did versus my original concept.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Well this goes into a whole other topic but I'm sure you know how your fish recognize you and get all happy when you walk into the room kind of like the dog when you get home from work.

Absolutely. They remind me of my actual dogs - Hi! FOOD?! Hi! FOOD!? My favorite is my yellow watchman. Stays in his hole all day until I walk in - then he assumes his feeding position on a rock up front.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I have to admit I do like the interior decorating better now that they did versus my original concept.

Horrible picture - I know under heavy blues - but captured this gem of a pic: urchin carrying a hermit holding one of my plates.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Horrible picture - I know under heavy blues - but captured this gem of a pic: urchin carrying a hermit holding one of my plates.

Oops sorry about the multiples of the same picture!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

They absolutely do, my fish in a fish room that are less use to people dart around when scared and they have broken corals and snapped corals in half thats why I got rid of this b.n it's a fish wound/killer IMO.

 

[Alexraptor]

At least we're not keeping tunas in our aquariums!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

At least we're not keeping tunas in our aquariums!

Who takes flash photography? And there had to be 700 signs saying not to, the picture wouldn't even turn out? That's unfortunate......

 

[ying yang]

Think fish are pretty good at dodging the corals and rocks and believe its all to do with their lateral line which helps them school/shall and avoid obstacles but im sure they will be accidents now and then