Converting Aggressive Fish Only to A Reef Tank

ZeroKoolNYC · 04-29-2006, 03:10 AM

Well I decided to spend 20 bucks on a Medium Sized Yellow Polyp Coral. Acclimated it and attempted to bend the rules of nature but I'm guessing that my luck has ran out my little boy Poseidon (Reticulate Puffer) has decided that he likes to eat Yellow Polyps. I threw a translucent baby fish quarentine around the coral to protect it since I'm helping my girlfriend move this weekend. I think I'm going to bite the big one and convert her 55 gallon Freshwater to Marine. My question is this what fish below are considered reef safe if any? I'm looking to remove them this weekend on Sunday.

Fox Faced Rabbitfish
Stonefish
Snowflake Moray Eel
Banded Bamboo Shark
PUFFERS are obviously not reef safe. LOL

Mclendonmdw · 04-29-2006, 01:45 PM

It’s a wonderful type of set up, if it’s done with fore thought. I think the biggest factor is selecting appropriate fish for the reef tank. I prefer “gulping type fish” such as groupers, lions , wolf eels. This means they feed on small fish and the like, not coral polyps… one problem solved. But this presents another, no small REEF FISH, lol. Not a big trade off in my opinion. I did not have any love loss with the absence of the little guys. The affect of a 14” green would eel poking through a colony of orange and green zoes is killer. Selection of coral is also a key issue. The specimens must be able to thrive in a tank with less than pristine water conditions. Some species such as mushrooms, zoes and sanya will in fact thrive in a high nutrient environment. I have had great success with my predator reef set ups. I just recently decided to convert to a full blown reef, because the predators were outgrowing my 55g. I would suggest as large a tank as possible, minimum 75 ideally a 90. I would also suggest an algae refuge be added to the system with a large protein skimmer. Good luck. I may post pics of my setup later as I’m at a friends house.

I hade:
14” woulf eel
Large Lion
Medium grouper
Large yellow stripe clown/with LT anemone
Tang
Mushrooms
Zoes
Florida stony coral of some type
Zanya
Macro of all types

Mclendonmdw · 04-29-2006, 02:09 PM

Actually as a side note, another reason I switched set ups was the loin fish. He was a medium to large lion, with beautiful markings and crystal clear fins with black and red stripes. In addition to his size, he became very aggressive…after the first time he stung me, he began to approach me when I would clean the glass. He would actually stock my hand. And shit when you are wiping the glass, some times you just zone out and focus on the algae. This fish was not bull shitting he got me a total of three times and that was it for me. The first time he got me nothing happened. I obviously freaked out, but like nothing happen. The second time, I was pissed, and then my finger burned and swelled. The third time my hand and wrist swelled and the joints were sore for a few days. I personally think he was trying to kill me. Lol.

***Rob*** · 04-29-2006, 09:23 PM

out of that list, the foxface is reef safe, and is actually a great fish in most any tank.

christensonjes · 04-30-2006, 02:24 PM

A bamboo shark requires an extremely large tank. Dont even bother with them. Even in a 500 gallon tank, do you think he will be happy?

ZeroKoolNYC · 05-01-2006, 02:07 PM

Well everyone I have removed all except the Snowflake Moray Eel, Fox Faced Rabbitfish and the Lawnmower Blenney I have added a Scooter Blenney, Decoratr Crab, Yellow Polyps, Purple Tipped Anemone, Percula Clownfish and Cleaner Shrimp and everyone is doing great! As for tank size I have a 180 gallon and within the next year most likely a 400 gallon :-)

gwen_o_lyn · 05-01-2006, 10:20 PM

Congrats on all the changes!! Sounds like fun!!

ZeroKoolNYC · 05-02-2006, 01:34 PM

Thanks Gwen.... it is different and my tank seems so empty guess I have to wait for the next paycheck lol.

Mclendonmdw · 05-02-2006, 04:33 PM

WOW! Get a LION, GET A LION NEXT!!!! I do question the survival of the blenny’s, and the shrimp with the snow flake lurking about

ZeroKoolNYC · 05-02-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mclendonmdw

WOW! Get a LION, GET A LION NEXT!!!! I do question the survival of the blenny’s, and the shrimp with the snow flake lurking about

I have had a lionfish in the past and that is definitely not an addition to a reef tank as their mouths are extremely huge and could fit the majority of small reef fish inside without hesitation! As far as my snowflake eel his is extremely timid and has choosen to ignore any of the other inhabitants.