Marine Fish & Invertebrates To Avoid In Reef Aquariums
Choosing new reef fish and invertebrates is one of the most exciting moments when building a home reef aquarium. However, not all marine fish and invertebrates are considered “reef-safe”, and adding the wrong ones can lead to costly mistakes, damaged corals, and stressed tank inhabitants.
In this article, we will discuss which reef fish and invertebrates you should reconsider or avoid, and why.
Marine Fish That Threaten Coral Health In Reef Aquariums
Butterflyfish
Butterflyfish are some of the most beautiful reef fish, but they are notoriously hard to keep in reef aquariums. For example, the Copperband Butterflyfish is one of the most challenging fish to care for because of their strict feeding requirements. Most butterflyfish are finicky eaters and require feeding multiple times a day. Aside from their dietary needs, many butterflyfish are also known to eat corals, which include:
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Red-fin butterflyfish
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Ornate butterflyfish
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Meyer’s butterflyfish
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Triangular butterflyfish
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Reticulated butterflyfish
The above species of butterflyfish have evolved strong mouths that allow them to munch on coral polyps, which makes them a bad choice for reef aquariums.
Angelfish
Apart from the dwarf angelfish, most are inappropriate for reef aquariums. In particular, the stunning rock beauty angelfish rarely survives longer than one year in captivity, and most banded angelfish rarely survive long-term in a closed aquatic system. The regal angelfish is also not recommended for home aquariums due to their demanding care requirements.
Angelfish don’t directly consume corals, however, they may graze on aquarium sponges that grow on live rock, which can lead to declines in coral colonies.
Moorish Idol Fish
Despite its striking banding, this fish is perhaps one of the worst choices of reef fish for home reef aquariums. Moorish idol fish have extremely low survival rates, with less than 1% surviving in captivity. This is down to their dietary needs, sensitivity to water conditions, and stress during transportation.
Some expert aquarium hobbyists have taken on the challenge and have found that they have only successfully kept Moorish idol fish in extremely large and well-established aquarium systems with very abundant natural food sources.
Triggerfish
If you’ve been diving, you may be familiar with the aggressive tendencies of triggerfish, particularly during the mating season. Triggerfish are also known to rearrange rock work and mangrove root and have evolved to crush hard-shelled prey such as molluscs, crustaceans, and corals, which quickly becomes a nightmare in reef aquariums.
Some hobbyists have been successful keeping smaller triggerfish such as the niger trigger, but most popular triggerfish such as the queen triggerfish and clown triggerfish will harm invertebrates and corals in reef aquariums.
Tangs
Even though tangs are very popular in reef aquariums, some tangs come with specific challenges. As tangs grow larger in aquariums, they develop territorial aggression, specifically among other tangs. Tangs also have sharp scalpels at the base of their tails, which can injure other tankmates.
Additionally, Tangs love swimming, therefore, they need plenty of space, making them unsuitable for smaller tanks like nano aquariums.
Pufferfish
Pufferfish are extremely charming fish, plus they have cute and engaging personalities, however they pose a triple threat. Pufferfish crush corals and shellfish with their strong beaks, most pufferfish species grow too large for most reef tanks, and they can release toxins through their skin when stressed.
Difficult Reef-Safe Fish
Anthias
Anthias are vibrant schooling fish, and while they are not dangerous for reef aquariums, they are more prone to stress and poor aquarium conditions. They also have a lot of energy and therefore require multiple daily feedings, which can create high nutrient loads in closed systems. Because of their specific needs, anthias such as the orange anthia commonly develop incurable infections, while the tuka anthias rarely make it past two years in captivity.
Banggai Cardinalfish
You’re probably thinking, “Aren’t Banggai cardinalfish one of the best saltwater fish for beginners?” While this is true, and they can be a great option for newbie reefers, if you buy wild-caught Banggai cardinalfish, they commonly develop a viral disease which has a high mortality rate. When infected, the disease can easily transfer to other Banggai cardinalfish.
For those interested in getting a Banggai cardinalfish, always check that the specimen has been captive-bred.
Dragonets
Dragonets (Mandarin fish) are difficult fish because of their dietary needs and extremely small mouths. In captivity, they have developed pretty well to prepared foods, however, dragonets still need multiple daily feedings and foods that are rich in nutrients.
Reef Invertebrates To Avoid
Invertebrates That Can Damage Reef Aquariums
Nudibranchs:
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They rarely survive longer than 1 year in captivity
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Most nudibranchs have specialized diets
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Some nudibranchs will consume corals - coral-eating nudibranchs can quickly consume corals and multiply by laying their eggs in new coral additions
Mantis Shrimp:
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Often enter as hitchhikers on live rock - this is why curing live rock is so important
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Their powerful spearing appendages can impale reef fish and crush other invertebrates
Reef Invertebrates Dangerous To Humans
Some reef invertebrates can be extremely harmful to humans. The following reef invertebrates should never be kept in home reef aquariums:
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Stonefish: Known for their epic camouflage capabilities, stonefish are a big no, no. These fish have a venom gland that can cause intense pain, tissue necrosis, and in rare cases, death!
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Cone shells: Known for their powerful venom that can be fatal to humans.
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Blue-ringed octopus: Known for their distinctive blue rings when disturbed, these highly venomous cephalopods carry tetrodotoxin, a lethal neurotoxin.
Short-Lived Reef Invertebrates
Some reef species have short lifespans in captivity despite our best husbandry efforts.
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Sea apples
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Crinoids
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Flame scallops
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Flowerpot corals
Summary
Selecting reef fish and invertebrates is an exciting time, but focus on truly reef-safe species that will thrive in your reef aquarium system.
Before adding new reef species to your aquarium, research their diet, adult size, temperament, and compatibility with your existing livestock. The most rewarding marine aquariums are not those with the most exotic reef species, but rather those that have a balanced ecosystem where all inhabitants thrive together for years.
Looking for help selecting reef-safe fish and invertebrates? Reach out to the Reefco Aquariums team - we are always happy to help on your journey, from design and installation to expert advice to help your reef aquarium thrive.
