Juvenile Emperor

[HansW]

Hi Guys,

I read he is not reef safe, but that’s not totally true ? I see many people keeping him in videos what’s your thought. ?
Is there something or experience I can make it happen ? Thank you for your feedback

 

[fishywishy]

They are reef safe with caution. They don’t always nip but there’s a chance they might.

 

[Oldreefer44]

IMO, starting with a juvenile will improve your chances.

 

[areefer01]

Hi Guys,

I read he is not reef safe, but that’s not totally true ? I see many people keeping him in videos what’s your thought. ?
Is there something or experience I can make it happen ? Thank you for your feedback

Hard to say as all fish are different. Search results favor the "reef safe with caution" due to size, aggression (possible), and eating of fleshy corals (LPS). To give an honest answer go with "reef safe with caution" and ask yourself what is acceptable should it do something you won't like.

I personally do not like removing fish. Stressful to me. Stressful to the display. Stressful to the animal I'm trying to catch. Therefore I buy a fish because I want it and I accept the possibility (and responsibility) that it may do something I didn't want.

Difficult to get past the general consensus because all of our systems are different. In my case I have a more mature display with large colonies. So any nipping can be managed at the coral level and require no intervention by me. In short - large colony no big deal vs new frag - that nip would destroy the new frag but the colony wouldn't skip a beat...

FYI - example of Mr. Sprung's tank with a Emperor. Zoom in to 3:48 to see the Emperor. Gives you an idea of display size and maturity because I feel that plays the bigger role.