Catfish for reef tank..

KPhilly · Dec 22, 2015

I was wondering if there were any catfish safe for a reef tank and it's creatures. Feel doubtful about this though...

ZoaCollector · Dec 22, 2015

Don't think they bother coral but they eat shrimp and crabs and other smaller fish when they get big. They probably need a large tank in the long run.

eatbreakfast · Dec 22, 2015

Coral catfish are sold as juveniles, but get big, predatory, and are venomous.,

There are plenty of sand sifters, detrivores, and algae eaters for reef tanks.

D block · Dec 22, 2015

Columbian catsharks

eatbreakfast · Dec 22, 2015

D block said:
Columbian catsharks

They get 10", are brackish, not reef, and are predatory too.

D block · Dec 22, 2015

They do great in salt. Just because they are predatory doesn't mean they are not reef safe. I doubt there is a catfish which is not predatory. My dad has one for at least 5 years. Does great with other fish, all types of corals, hermits, cleaner shrimp and snails. Why aren't they reef safe?

eatbreakfast · Dec 22, 2015

D block said:
They do great in salt. Just because they are predatory doesn't mean they are not reef safe. I doubt there is a catfish which is not predatory. My dad has one for at least 5 years. Does great with other fish, all types of corals, hermits, cleaner shrimp and snails. Why aren't they reef safe?

Reef safe = coral and invert safe.

Columbian catsharks will eat anything they can fit in their mouth, which at top size can be quire a bit. They won't bother corals, but will eat fish and shrimp.