Who owns a harlequin tusk?

[Jase4224]

Once established, they won't allow another wrasse. I have added several other species and the tusk paid no attention, but he went homicidal over a six line and a melanarus until I realized what was going on.

This doesn’t surprise me. I just couldn’t make this claim without having added wrasses in after a Tuskfish myself but thanks for the info. I know my current tusk became less hospitable to my other wrasses over time.

 

[Jase4224]

I have had two and had to remove them both.....they both got more and more aggressive the more they matured. Would not allow me to add any new fish, especially wrasses.

What size tank did you have?

 

[jasonrusso]

I though these were very hard to keep alive for any length of time . Is this true? What size tank do you need for them to live a long time? They are very costly to have them die in a couple of months

From my experience, it's better to get a juvenile. As has been said, they are slow growers so a 6-7" may be several years old. At that age, they do not accept captivity too well. Juveniles don't know any better.

Blindness seems to be a common problem. I think it a nutritional thing. That's why I feed clams all the time and I don't mind him destroying my CUC.

I had a big green and orange hermit crab that I had for probably 3 years, I kind of miss that one.

 

[DrMMI]

I would love to have one of these some day. When people say they've eaten their small fish? What are they taking about? I have pajama cardinals, clowns, and a royal gramma. Could those end up as potentially meals?

 

[McPuff]

I had one from a juvenile and it was a very cool fish. Didn't bother the other fish for a couple years... until I tried to add a flame angel... the tusk bit off one of its lips. It was crazy. Angel didn't survive. My anecdote kind of goes along with what @Jase4224 said. Add toward the end of your stocking?

 

[jasonrusso]

I would love to have one of these some day. When people say they've eaten their small fish? What are they taking about? I have pajama cardinals, clowns, and a royal gramma. Could those end up as potentially meals?

I don't think so, but it depends on how big the tusk is in relation. I feed gambusia to my tank which are tiny and he eats those.

 

[Softhammer]

I have one and it’s been a model citizen. Granted i don’t have any shrimp due to my large wrasse population but this guy is perfectly reef safe. Hasn’t even looked at my 2 gigas or small blue Squamosa clams. I haven’t witnessed any snail problems either. It’s a great eater, a pig. It likes to grab huge food items and bash them to pieces as they do in the wild with small cockles.

 

[Davisfamily4]

I saw this video on IG and it made me want to buy one of these guys! (I can't because I own a clam...)

www.instagram.com/reel/CRUX07pFAgg/

Here's a screenshot:


How many of you have one? What have been your experiences?

 

[Davisfamily4]

I don't think so, but it depends on how big the tusk is in relation. I feed gambusia to my tank which are tiny and he eats those.

Yes, they are amazing fish!!!

 

[Davisfamily4]

 

[AlgaeBarn]

You guys are making me think maybe I should get one in my next reef!

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

So I think I'll add one to my next tank (this tank is too small for him at 50g), but when we can upgrade, he'll be my last fish on the stock list.

 

[KrisReef]

So I think I'll add one to my next tank (this tank is too small for him at 50g), but when we can upgrade, he'll be my last fish on the stock list.

Good plan!
I have one and the only trouble I have had is that it will not pose for a photo. I just deleted 2 dozen + pictures but got these two that I can share. These are one of the the most beautiful fish, IMO

 

[jasonrusso]

Got a couple of shots during feeding time. Very hard fish to photograph. How does Live Aquaria Divers Den do it?

 

[Pistol Peet]

I saw this video on IG and it made me want to buy one of these guys! (I can't because I own a clam...)

www.instagram.com/reel/CRUX07pFAgg/

Here's a screenshot:


How many of you have one? What have been your experiences?

I have owened 1 for a couple years and has never bothered my clams or my shrimp. May get a little bit aggressive during feeding . Otherwise a model citizen. I curved the feeding aggression by placing him in a tank full of triggers and puffers and now he has no food aggression Nymore. Also had a big dragon wrasse with him and the triggers. Once he learned he wasn't the baddest fish on the block he calmed down.

 

[Pistol Peet]

I have owened 1 for a couple years and has never bothered my clams or my shrimp. May get a little bit aggressive during feeding . Otherwise a model citizen. I curved the feeding aggression by placing him in a tank full of triggers and puffers and now he has no food aggression Nymore. Also had a big dragon wrasse with him and the triggers. Once he learned he wasn't the baddest fish on the block he calmed down.

I will post a pic in the am.