Holly Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I found a site that listed the all of following fish as "reef safe with caution" but some of them don't seem "reef safe" to me at all, even "with caution"...? I guess I'm kinda asking how you guys define "reef safe" because it seems to vary a lot (scratch).. Freckled hawkfish Potter's angelfish Fisher's angelfish Lemon butterfly Yellow longnose butterfly Saddleback butterfly Orange butterfly Teardrop butterflyfish Moorish Idol Snowflake eel Whitley's boxfish Leaf Fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I found a site that listed the all of following fish as "reef safe with caution" but some of them don't seem "reef safe" to me at all, even "with caution"...? I guess I'm kinda asking how you guys define "reef safe" because it seems to vary a lot (scratch).. Freckled hawkfish Potter's angelfish Fisher's angelfish Lemon butterfly Yellow longnose butterfly Saddleback butterfly Orange butterfly Teardrop butterflyfish Moorish Idol Snowflake eel Whitley's boxfish Leaf Fish Alot of people keep shrimps and crabs in their reef, most of these are known for eating those, but will not bother corals...Also, some do feed on corals, but I believe alot of them, do it in nature when food is scarce, in the tank there is usually an abundance of food (most of the time), so they are "full" and do not need to feed on corals... I have had flame and potter's angle a couple of times and they have never touched a coral... I am not sure if that helps you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mbeef61 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 hawks can irriate corals by perching on them as well as eating small ornamental crustaceans but not always, angels can pick at corals but every one is different as well as the butterflies. snowflake eels can topple corals and eat small fish and shrimp but are otherwise reef safe moorish idols i would consider not reef safe unless you found some one in a million that didnt pick at things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 moorish idols i would consider not reef safe unless you found some one in a million that didnt pick at things I must be lucky, my moorish is not picking at anything, except rock and sponges... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecheese Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 If it does not say reef safe, I usually do a little more research either through articles, books and eventually do liek you are doing post and see everyone's experience witha particular fish, or read previous posts and experiences. I usually find quite a spectrum justifying or condemning the creatures. It then become an issue of balance as far as whether your fish will find its needs met by teh specific diet you are providing or if it will start looking for alterantive source which could include some undesirable species , including corals, inverts, pods etc... Experience...and weighing out the risks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 My two hawks don't bother anything but do perch on my corals. No permanent damage thus far. I've heard flames were reef safe, but the potter's angel sounded not-safe from the description (good to hear that it can be safe! -cuz it looks beautiful!).. Never thought of that Reefgk, but I'm sure you're right that if they're fed regularly, they peck on corals and inverts less. I never saw a coral angel pick a coral before, but it's listed as a "with caution" too, as a coral-nipper. I guess it depends on feeding and tank environment. Good to hear that an Idol might be OK. I think they're just gorgeous and look so interesting!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mbeef61 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I must be lucky' date=' my moorish is not picking at anything, except rock and sponges...[/quote'] how long have you had it...sponges i would consider not reef safe....some people dont mind a pick here and there but i prefer my corals to be the best of their ability Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 sponges i would consider not reef safe.... Why do you not consider them "reef safe"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitterbait Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 I say that reef safe is a bad term to use... it should say coral safe, or invert safe. so many fish don't touch corals but will eat other common reef critters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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