View Full Version : Too tough for a Harlequin Tuskfish?
howiem
06/28/2009, 04:54 PM
Hi!
I'm interested in adding a Harlequin Tuskfish to my 240g tank. I'm hoping that some of you who've had experience with them can help me know if this is a good idea.
The current residents of the tank are:
1 Yellowbar or Halfmoon Angelfish (Pomacanthus Maculosus)
1 Humu Humu Triggerfish
1 Lunar Wrasse
1 Purple Tang.
All these fish are late juvenile/early adult, (I think). The Angel hasn't done his color change yet, but they are all growing visibly. After 6 months or so together, they've had no problems, except for the occasional half-hearted lunge.
I've heard conflicting things about the Harlequin Tuskfish. Some say they're aggressive and do fine with larger, tougher fishes. Others say they are more docile and will be bullied. (Scott Michael did a 180 between the paperback Marine Fishes and the later Wrasses & Parrotfish books.) Do you think one would do OK in this tank?
Thanks!
spsfarmer09
06/28/2009, 07:20 PM
i think you will be fine, we had one in our 500g and he was soo cool, just be prepared to buy snails!
they are really cool fish, get the australian with the blue teeth
DamnPepShrimp
06/28/2009, 07:27 PM
So all the fish are about 5"? How big would the tusk be? I honestly think the fish you have would be too aggressive, especially a lunar wrasse. Usually two wrasses don't mix. Purple tangs, halfmoons and humas are all aggressive as well. I've owned all 4 fish you have, but never a tusk. I want one so bad, LA DD has been getting gorgeous 8" aussie tusks in but I am too scared to try one in my tank, since its pretty aggressive as well.
howiem
06/29/2009, 10:36 AM
Thanks to both of you...
Yeah they're 4-5". I've seen some really nice ones too. And they seem like they have some character. But some people say they're really not aggressive, and others that they are... Ugh...
The 4 that are in the tank are all assertive, but they mostly make their point and then lay off. (The Humu usually by spitting sand at the other fishes.) The Wrasse mostly pokes and prods the others and then swims off, if he's feeling "social." But yeah... I don't know how 2 large Wrasses would do together. And all the fish still have some maturing to do, so it could get more intense.
Like I said, ugh. Now if somebody could just talk me into this, I'll head right over to the LFS.;)
JustinReef
06/29/2009, 12:14 PM
I have kept two in the past and both have been very docile and easily bullied. My last one did ok but was bullied for weeks by a hippo tang that I added to the tank AFTER him. He was first in the tank but really deferred to any new tang I added.
Before that I had one with puffers and it was a much better match than with the tang. Most puffers are also quite docile, so they all just kind of ignored each other.
JustinReef
06/29/2009, 12:16 PM
Oh and I don't know if its a reef but mine ate all shrimp, crabs, clams, many zoas, snails (was really cool to watch him pop them off the glass) and mostly every other invert I had. I fed him about 4-5 times a day but he still loved to eat other stuff!
pRadaaaaa
06/29/2009, 02:02 PM
I have one that is about 4". Had the tusk for about a year now. Doesnt show signs of aggression towards my other fishes at all. However, one day he will act really cool around my cleaner shrimps and then the next day he'll make them lunch :(
ilv4xn
06/29/2009, 03:38 PM
I have never had any of the above fish but if yourlooking for someone to help. I say they will all be friends you should get at least one.
streetjudge79
06/29/2009, 04:01 PM
I have a 5 inch tusk with small , medium and large fish, I also have 150 snails and hermits, as well as pepermint shrimp and CBS. The tusk doesn't even look at them. He is a voracious eater but doesn't bother one thing in my 210 gallon. I do keep him fed though. I did throw in some small crabs that I caught in the surf behind my condo and he did go to town on them as soon as they hit the water.
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