Considering a harlequin tusk for my next reef. What are the things I should be considering?

[Daniel@R2R]

I love these fish! I know they will go after snails, but I also figure hey, snails can be replaced. What are the other things I should be considering? Help me weigh the pros and cons.

 

[Bpp124987]

How much you want to spend on cuc and neato cleaner shrimps and etc

Worth it

 

[Daniel@R2R]

How much you want to spend on cuc and neato cleaner shrimps and etc

Worth it

Not planning for any shrimps atm, so that won't be an issue. I figure stocking snails is no real problem. Any issues keeping them with anything else (anemones, clams, or certain types of LPS)?

 

[SaltyT]

Not planning for any shrimps atm, so that won't be an issue. I figure stocking snails is no real problem. Any issues keeping them with anything else (anemones, clams, or certain types of LPS)?

Clams are on the menu so skip those, but anemones and corals are fine.

 

[lion king]

They many times play very rough with other wrasses. Be careful of your source as these guys seem to be captured with cyanide frequently. They come in with internal parasites frequently, I would plan to do a general cure treatment. Many times the difficulty in feeding is cured with a simple treatment for internal parasites, but people wait too long and then it's too late. I wouldn't use copper.

 

[MnFish1]

I love these fish! I know they will go after snails, but I also figure hey, snails can be replaced. What are the other things I should be considering? Help me weigh the pros and cons.

They will eat every member of your CUC. - that said - I have not noticed any difference.

 

[MnFish1]

I love these fish! I know they will go after snails, but I also figure hey, snails can be replaced. What are the other things I should be considering? Help me weigh the pros and cons.

There is no point IMHO to replacing the snails. They just die anyway. the tusk is awesome

 

[i cant think]

Small fish may be on the menu along with inverts like shrimp, possibly stars.

 

[Waters]

I have tried two, and besides the decimation of CUC, they both became very aggressive to any new fish that were added after them.

 

[i cant think]

Small fish may be on the menu along with inverts like shrimp, possibly stars.

They also don’t get along with newbies or other peaceful Labrids.

 

[rogersb]

I had a 210 years ago with one. Was a cool fish until it got some size and then it ate every fish it could get in its mouth. This one was Aussie.

 

[jassermd]

As per my profile pic, huge fan!
Mine decimates all snails and sometimes crabs... there's a graveyard of such by his sleeping cave.
As for coral, no issues at all. Won't touch or look at them.
Mine tolerated copper without issue (at 2.5 for 30 days). Never had any issues with eating or feeding in general.
I do feed guppies 1-2x week and he really likes those (chases and eats them whole)
Only thing is that he's an aggressive eater and will snag larger chunks of food from other fish, but doesn't hurt them or otherwise.
No bullying or aggressive behavior toward other fish... TBH, he's a bit of a sissy in that regard. Gets bullied by my sailfin.
Overall, my favorite fish. Great personality and always fun to watch him lurk around.
Mine is fairly large, about 8-10 in.

 

[Fredrod209]

Love mine, knew cuc was in danger but the fish is a definite eye catcher. Was surprised to see him eat a new goby I bought as it was bigger than some fish that were established already.