What are some of the best reef safe fish?

Sure and many more other fish then that in my 165 gallon, heck I had a Purple and a yellow in a 38 gallon bow front for two years they loved their home. You have to remember, tank raised fish do not grow at the same rate as critters in the ocean. Yes, tangs grow fast, but not in leaps and bounds.

trust me, yellow or purple, or blue hippos would be fine- for a while.

I have a 9 inch deressa, and a 5 inch crocea in a 45 gallon tall, along with lots of other critters- including a pair of perc clown's that are host to the deressa. dont believe every thing the web tells you, 50% of the time these are "general" guidelines- nothing is set in stone.

 

More what? And I don't like anything of the Pseudocheilinus genus; a big bully in disguise. I don't recommend them for anyone unless they fully understand the risks/implications.

 

evolved

I have heard that they can turn over fairly large pieces of coral and rock when they get larger, true?

 

6 tangs in a 165? that is way overstocked! i sure hope you dont have other fish in there.

 

i meant the more delicate and demanding they are, some are easier than others. i have attempted leopard wrasses and have had success only once for about 11 months then i sold the tank. but other wrasses such as christmas or fairy wrasses i have ha dno problems with.

 

Lets try not to encourage pushing the envelope for newer hobbyist. It's really about what is safe and practical right?

 

So very true, my four line and Mcorkster did not like each other at all- I got the Mcorkster free, he jumped out of the tank- thru a feeding hole that is 2x2, he did this four times, on the 4 time I was at work- well he died. The 4 line is still well and fine- but he is a shy fellow. Every wrasse is a jumper so consider this.

 

There is nothing unsafe in what I posted - nothing at all. Because you can/cant do something as I have done makes it unsafe? Hardly. If I can do it, anyone can.

Consider your tank- it is way over stocked- would you say it is unsafe?

 

Depends on the genus; and this is why some aren't considered very "reef safe", as they will turn anything and everything over they can in search of food. None of them pose a direct risk to corals.

Genus such as: Coris, Thalassoma,Gomphosus, Pseudodax, Novaculichthys (especially), YES

Genus such as: Cirrhilabrus, Paracheilinus, Macropharyngodon, Wetmorella, Pseudocheilinus NO

 

Yes, some genus are much easier than other, but the general special needs statement still applies.