Harlequin Tusk With a CUC...Yes, No, Maybe So?

[Marco S]

I have been debating on getting a Harlequin Tusk and have done my research on this fish. I figured I would not go out of my way to get one, but if my LFS happened to get one in, (they said they rarely do) I would take it. Well, they had two yesterday and the price was well below what I've seen them for in the past so I had to buy it.

My main concern is invertebrates. I have the following list in QT almost done with their 75 days and will be ready to go into the DT next week:

1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (large size)
1 Blood Red Fire Shrimp (medium size)
4 Turbo Snails
4 Trochus Snails
2 Emerald Crabs

My options are as follows:

1: Get a 20 or 30 gallon tank and keep the cuc with a few small fish and they live happily ever after.
2: Put them in the DT and hope for the best.
3: See if my LFS will take them back, (and maybe get a small credit)

I really want them in my DT, but I have grown attached to them and even named the shrimp already. It would be horrible if they were eaten, but I hate to have to give them up so I am leaning toward either option 1 or 2.

My question, (and reason for this post) is...I know that there have to be people here that have either tried to or are successfully keeping a Harlequin Tusk with a cuc. If you are one of those people, are there any tips or tricks, (or horror stories) you can share to help me make a decision either way?

 

[ngoodermuth]

The shrimp will be goners... if you are attached to them, I would give them their own space (Have a refugium in your sump?) or take them back. I wish I still had the picture, but I had a pretty large cleaner shrimp with a pretty smallish tusk, and it was only maybe a week before he snatched it up...

 

[ScottR]

I have been debating on getting a Harlequin Tusk and have done my research on this fish. I figured I would not go out of my way to get one, but if my LFS happened to get one in, (they said they rarely do) I would take it. Well, they had two yesterday and the price was well below what I've seen them for in the past so I had to buy it.

My main concern is invertebrates. I have the following list in QT almost done with their 75 days and will be ready to go into the DT next week:

1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (large size)
1 Blood Red Fire Shrimp (medium size)
4 Turbo Snails
4 Trochus Snails
2 Emerald Crabs

My options are as follows:

1: Get a 20 or 30 gallon tank and keep the cuc with a few small fish and they live happily ever after.
2: Put them in the DT and hope for the best.
3: See if my LFS will take them back, (and maybe get a small credit)

I really want them in my DT, but I have grown attached to them and even named the shrimp already. It would be horrible if they were eaten, but I hate to have to give them up so I am leaning toward either option 1 or 2.

My question, (and reason for this post) is...I know that there have to be people here that have either tried to or are successfully keeping a Harlequin Tusk with a cuc. If you are one of those people, are there any tips or tricks, (or horror stories) you can share to help me make a decision either way?

Those are beautiful fish. Can you share pics?

 

[eatbreakfast]

There are instances were a small tusk has coexisted with cleaner and blood shrimp that were in the tank first, but as @ngoodermuth 's experience attests, it also may not work.

I recommend seeing if your LFS will take them back for credit.

 

[Waters]

Every tusk I have ever had has decimated my shrimp, crabs, and urchins.......other than any existing cleaner shrimp that were in the tank first.

 

[ngoodermuth]

FWIW my cleaner was there way before the tusk... and still became an expensive snack

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree, I wouldn’t risk it. Tusk are purpose built for eating inverts and are beyond likely to do the same in home aquaria.

 

[Marco S]

That's pretty much what I thought and am consistently hearing from everyone, (even the LFS selling me the Tusk).

Thanks for the replies everyone! They are much appreciated.

I think I will end up putting the snails in the DT, but keeping the shrimp and crabs in QT until I figure out what to do with them.

 

[Marco S]

Those are beautiful fish. Can you share pics?

The LFS is holding it until I pick it up later today so I don't have any pics yet, but I will post when I get it. It does have a bit of damage to it's tail fin, (and the reason I got it fairly cheap) but nothing that won't heal up pretty quick with a good diet, proper care and no Damsels to pick on it.

 

[Marco S]

Those are beautiful fish. Can you share pics?

I couldn't get a good pic so I made a video. Here it is:

 

[ScottR]

He is a beautiful fish. Thanks for sharing.