Dumb question, but Valentini Puffer with Sexy Shrimp

CRath · Aug 29, 2022

I recently lost my lawnmower blenny and moved my pair of Ocellaris clowns to a new setup. I want to add a new fish to my 30 gallon tank and came across someone saying that the Valentini puffer would be okay around the coral in my tank. I just moved all the hammers to the new setup as well and will be transitioning my tank to be dominated by sps. I do have a Zoa rock as well as a toadstool leather and gorgonians. On top of whether the puffer would be okay with those corals, I need to know if I would have trouble with the puffer eating my colony of sexy shrimp. I currently have 10 of them cruising around my rock flowers and Zoas. I was recommended an alternative fish to add which would be a smaller species from the from the genus Genicanthus.

Cantusaurus · Aug 29, 2022

Valentini’s are genuinely pretty coral safe, at least from what I’ve seen especially if they are well fed. I’ve seen them pick at small snails, but surprisingly not hermits. I think if they have a rock flower nem to hide in the shrimps should be fine.
Not sure about SPS. I cannot say if they will or won’t munch. At the Houston aquarium giant reef tank they had a valentini in it, and it had pretty much every type of coral in it.

Cantusaurus · Aug 29, 2022

The Pygmy Cherub angel would be fine in a 30, and I’ve heard those are some of the most reef safe angels. They’re pretty cool fish.

bnord · Aug 29, 2022

my Valentini has been an angel and full of personality
squirts water for attention

CRath · Aug 29, 2022

Cantusaurus said:
Valentini’s are genuinely pretty coral safe, at least from what I’ve seen especially if they are well fed. I’ve seen them pick at small snails, but surprisingly not hermits. I think if they have a rock flower nem to hide in the shrimps should be fine.
Not sure about SPS. I cannot say if they will or won’t munch. At the Houston aquarium giant reef tank they had a valentini in it, and it had pretty much every type of coral in it.

awesome! I feed heavy twice a day so I think I can keep it fed. That puts the coral worries away. NOw I need to decide to risk the sexy shirmp or not. I have two very large rock flower nems and the zoas have lots of hiding spaces on their rock.

CRath · Aug 29, 2022

bnord said:
my Valentini has been an angel and full of personality
squirts water for attention

That guy looks so healthy! do you have any inverts he goes after. I'm just super worried I would loose all my sexy shrimp that I've had for quite a while.

bnord · Aug 30, 2022

There are 2 smallish peppermints in the tank and plenty of tiny hermits

and a cleaner

no problems so far

Cantusaurus · Aug 30, 2022

Yeah, it’s one of those things where you never know. Established shrimp have a much better chance of not being eaten compared to if you add a stressed shrimp to a tank that already has a puffer.
Personally I probably wouldn’t risk it, but if it’ll work out better for you by moving the animals to one tank it might work out.
Puffers are pickers so they may just randomly taste things. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he bites a coral once and just leaves it alone after that lol.
Also I had a fantastic experience acclimating a valentini puffer for a clients tank. I floated/added water to the bag, and I used first defense by Dr Tim’s as well. I then quickly transferred the puffer to a container with the tank water (I used a glove and scooped him out super quick). He didn’t puff up, and then I just added him with the water into the tank without having him out of the water

CRath · Aug 30, 2022

Cantusaurus said:
Yeah, it’s one of those things where you never know. Established shrimp have a much better chance of not being eaten compared to if you add a stressed shrimp to a tank that already has a puffer.
Personally I probably wouldn’t risk it, but if it’ll work out better for you by moving the animals to one tank it might work out.
Puffers are pickers so they may just randomly taste things. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he bites a coral once and just leaves it alone after that lol.
Also I had a fantastic experience acclimating a valentini puffer for a clients tank. I floated/added water to the bag, and I used first defense by Dr Tim’s as well. I then quickly transferred the puffer to a container with the tank water (I used a glove and scooped him out super quick). He didn’t puff up, and then I just added him with the water into the tank without having him out of the water

Awesome. I work at a LFS and I noticed that it takes a lot to make them puff up while catching them. The main reason I don't get the puffer is that I don't have a place for it if it doesn't work out. I cant return the saltwater fish to my place.

Cantusaurus · Aug 31, 2022

CRath said:
Awesome. I work at a LFS and I noticed that it takes a lot to make them puff up while catching them. The main reason I don't get the puffer is that I don't have a place for it if it doesn't work out. I cant return the saltwater fish to my place.

Oh, I see. That makes sense. Hopefully whatever you decide works out for you