What inverts can I stock with a forceps fish ?

[Katze]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking forward to adding inverts to my 100 gallon tank, I have a longnose butterfly in there (F. Flavissimus), she never picked at corals so far, but I am interested in keeping clams, urchins and reef safe starfish. And of course I don't want any casualities due to incompatibilites, I do know that on paper they are absolutely not reef safe, however according to what I experienced that is not true in every case. So what have you experienced when mixing inverts with these fishies?

 

[bluemon]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking forward to adding inverts to my 100 gallon tank, I have a longnose butterfly in there (F. Flavissimus), she never picked at corals so far, but I am interested in keeping clams, urchins and reef safe starfish. And of course I don't want any casualities due to incompatibilites, I do know that on paper they are absolutely not reef safe, however according to what I experienced that is not true in every case. So what have you experienced when mixing inverts with these fishies?

I wouldn’t risk a clam. You never know with nippers.

They are fine with urchins and starfish though although I discourage you from getting a starfish as most will starve to death

 

[Paul B]

I have kept those fish for decades in my reef and never had a problem, not even with clams although there is a chance they will nip one. But they have very weak mouths and probably no, or tiny teeth so I don't think there would be a problem.

 

[bluemon]

I have kept those fish for decades in my reef and never had a problem, not even with clams although there is a chance they will nip one. But they have very weak mouths and probably no, or tiny teeth so I don't think there would be a problem.

It is worth nothing that you do feed them Michelin starred meals every day , so in a more "average" aquarium, they might be more inclined to seek other sources of food

 

[Katze]

Thank you for answering! I may buy a cheap and not so colorful clam if I can get one here, just to experiment a tiny bit. Even if clams wouldn't workout I'm happy to know that an urchin would be safe

 

[Katze]

I have kept those fish for decades in my reef and never had a problem, not even with clams although there is a chance they will nip one. But they have very weak mouths and probably no, or tiny teeth so I don't think there would be a problem.

Now that it comes to mind, you mentioned that their mouths are rather delicate, which would answer the decimation of the feather duster population in my tank -since those worms themselves are fragile and need careful movement to fish them out of their tubes- simply put they are probably not designed to eat corals, crabs and other hardier creatures

 

[bluemon]

Now that it comes to mind, you mentioned that their mouths are rather delicate, which would answer the decimation of the feather duster population in my tank -since those worms themselves are fragile and need careful movement to fish them out of their tubes- simply put they are probably not designed to eat corals, crabs and other hardier creatures

We know they don't eat crabs. They don't eat crabs in the wild, they are coralivores (as in they eat coral) Your crabs and snails were never in danger. Your clams and coral were.

That's why their mouths are shaped like that.

 

[Paul B]

simply put they are probably not designed to eat corals, crabs and other hardier creatures

No, they eat soft worms , tiny anemones and clams out of the shell.

My urchin lived along with my Copperband for 10 years and were best friends.