Harlequin Tusk

[Andrew]

Does anyone here have a Harlequin Tusk in their reef tank? If so, what size of tank, what kind of corals, and what other fish are in the tank. I've been thinking about one for my 75 reef when I set it back up. I can get a 3-4'' one here for $100. I do understand they will eat shrimp and snails but have heard of people having snails without them eating them.

[rhenie]

I have one that is about 5" in my 140G reef. It has been pretty harmless so far and we've had him for about 4 months. He doesn't bother the corals at all. I think he did eat my emerald crab, but didn't see it happen, so can't say for sure. I haven't see him mess with the hermits or snails at all.

We have open brain, GSP, xenia, Gorgonia, Torch coral, tongue coral, and a pagoda coral. We also have 2 clowns and a scooter blenny that he just pays no attention to.

He eats frozen food and is easy to care for IME.

He is pretty fun to watch and plays in the water flow a lot, which is pretty funny to see. He just floats around with the current pushing him back and forth. My sister gets a big kick out of watching him when she comes over.

Plus, he has blue teeth. What a cool fish.

It does freak me out sometimes to have my hands in the tank if he's near me because of those big teeth, but he is a big scaredy cat and hides behind the rocks as soon as I move toward him.

I haven't tried to add anything since we added him, so I'm a little concerned about the consequences of having such a big fish and trying to add anything else, but I'm thinking of adding another small fish soon. So we'll see.

Good luck, whatever you decide on!

Rhenie

[icliao]

A 75g may be too small for the Halequin. They grow pretty big and fast. I have one in my 200G and is considering to move him to my 500G.

[Blown 346]

They can be dosile while young, but once they start to mature they can get quit territorial and aggressive toward other smaller fish and inverts. But they will not bother corals but will eat snails and other inverts as it gaines confidence.
I would only recommend one with cautionas there temperments do change and they usually fare best in a aggressive tank.

[Andrew]

Well I want either a Harlequin Tusk or a Blue throat Trigger for the show piece. Can't decide really yet, but thanks for the replys. :)

[Kinetic]

I've heard they also may eat clams =/

[Andrew]

O... I'll have to look into that because I wanted to maybe keep some in the future.

[icliao]

Blue thoat trigger seemed ok. I also have one in my 200G with the Halequin. It doesn't eat my acropora or clams.