Thoughts on "non reef safe" fish in a reef

[Loki]

I would like a fuzzy dwarf lion, trigger, or an eel but they aren't reef safe. I know for sure the trigger and eel are out but what are your thought on a fuzzy dwarf? Does anyone have success with one in a reef?

 

[Dowtish]

I have known a few folks that have had them in their reefs. They are messy eaters and these were kept in very large tanks.

 

[cdness]

Well if you pan on having any of the other small reef safe fish I wouldn't get a lion... Anything that will fit in their mouth will get eaten at some point. I am not sure how they will react to the inverts in the tank, but I would bet the shrimp and crabs are done for too.

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

A blue jaw trigger is reef safe. That's one option for you. And I second on the lion fish. I had one that ate a 5" blenny. Took him two days, I thought it was going to choke on it. Lol

 

[fab1971]

I've been dying to get a tank with a trigger or puffer but don't have the room for a fish only. I already have 2 reef tanks and my wife would kill me if I tried to build another ): I'm sure you could get away with certain species but it will still probably be hit or miss and as they grow larger their habits may change.

 

[gar732]

A niger trigger is another that is kept in reefs but can get mean and will go after your cuc. I believe cross hatch triggers are also an option but expensive. If you have a deep enough sand bed you can do garden eels.

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

FYI: I've had a Bluejawtrigger in my tank for 3 years without a problem. One of my favorites.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

FYI: I've had a Bluejawtrigger in my tank for 3 years without a problem. One of my favorites.

Which is reef safe. It is the only trigger that is fully reef safe though. Some have had luck with Niger but I wouldn't risk it


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[sdsocal]

I'll preface by saying there is always a chance it could end up bad.

Most of what you listed are reef compatable, but not invert safe. I have a Reef tank that is predominately preditors. Fuzzy Dwarfs, Golden Dwarf Moray, Sea Ghoblins, Leaf Fish. None of which have ever gone after our Coral Banded Shrimp and or Emerald Crabs or our other fish.

But as said above our other fish are larger and would be a struggle for them to eat. Fish we have in the tank outside predators: Clownfish Pair, Leopard Wrasse, Mystery Wrasse, Filefish, Tang.

I would, however, not recommend any Angler, Large Lionfish, Large Scorp or Stonefish. Case and point we had an Angler and he was a model citizen for almost a year than one day he ate one of our smaller lionfish and a small scorp and then died himself a couple days later.

There are avaialble options. There will be some sacrifices; like no smaller or and inverts, but it is doable.

 

[m and m]

We have several fish classified as non reef safe, you have to be careful. I personally am introducing a pair of joculatores in 2 months into my DT that has everything SPS, LPS and softies. Just be prepared to pull them if need be keep them well feed it the key imo.

 

[Rockadile]

Which is reef safe. It is the only trigger that is fully reef safe though. Some have had luck with Niger but I wouldn't risk it


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Well this is false. First off they are not completely reef safe. If you want a completely reef safe trigger that would be the crosshatch trigger

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

Well this is false. First off they are not completely reef safe. If you want a completely reef safe trigger that would be the crosshatch trigger

No fish is completely reef safe, if you want to get down to it. All fish have personalities like people. There's no such thing as a 100% guarantee. I had a Lamarks that killed one of my brains, a blenny that decided to eat sps. It's all more a probability that a fish is reef safe. I mean if that's what you're trying to get at.

 

[Rockadile]

crosshatchs are a predominatly planktivore.

 

[Loki]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I had no idea there was a trigger that was reef safe. I will look into it. I have a 120 gallon and my smallest fish is my six line wrasse and clowns at about 1.5-2 inches. I haven't said it outloud yet but I have been thinking of getting a small fuzzy dwarf. I will keep the thought going..... I may never act omit but I love lions and I know that the big ones are out.

 

[FishLipz]

I have a golden dwarf moray and a Valentini puffer in my mixed reef with no problems. They stay small, and have been model tank mates with my shrimp, clams and all types of corals and fish. The biggest thing is to keep them well fed

 

[weaponsofmassdesign]

FYI: I've had a Bluejawtrigger in my tank for 3 years without a problem. One of my favorites.

What all do you have in your tank as far as inverts with your trigger?

 

[jcharrsn]

I had a fuzzy dwarf in my reef tank and had no issues with aggression toward other fish, crabs or corals. Sadly, he committed suicide (jumped out of my tank and on to the carpet... found the dog trying to figure out a safe way to get a morning snack). I also have a zebra dwarf which is a model citizen in my reef/predator tank. I recently took a 3" Niger trigger out though, he was a good looking fish, and though I never caught him being aggressive towards tank mates I believe he caused many issues in my tank. I lost two sea hares and a lawnmower blenny while trying to troubleshoot an algae bloom. Consequently, the LFS has a fuzzy on hold for me right now trying to get him to eat.

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

What all do you have in your tank as far as inverts with your trigger?

I've got fire shrimp, cleaner, peppermint shrimp, pistol shrimp, tiger tail cucumber. He is a model inhabitant.

 

[Loki]

I have 5-8 peppermint shrimp lots of snails big and large. Several different kinds of starfish. I think after making this thread it will give me the push to get a fuzzy dwarf lion. If anyone strongly disagrees please stop me . Thanks guys for your info!