Aggressive fish and corals?

J Crew · #1 01/21/2004, 07:50 PM

I have a violitan lion and two moray eels. Can soft corals be kept with these fish, or will they eat them?

J Crew · #2 01/21/2004, 09:50 PM

ttt

Aquabucket · #3 01/21/2004, 10:03 PM

I would think both of those are preditors and would not bother with corals, but that's just a guess.

What typically makes them non- reef safe is that they will go after small fish, and inverts like shrimp, hermits, etc....

J Crew · #4 01/21/2004, 10:27 PM

thanks for the info.

imbuggin · #5 01/21/2004, 10:29 PM

no problem just keep the nitrates down (water changes)

Aquabucket · #6 01/21/2004, 10:31 PM

I did have a toadfish for awhile, and they are closley related to lions. These fish are ambush preditors. Moreys do the same. I doubt that they would even sniff your corals.

gofor100 · #7 01/21/2004, 10:37 PM

The only problems with fishes such as these is that they produce large amounts of waste, so, as imbuggin said, do frequent water changes to counteract the excess waste.
Other than that, the only problem is, as aquabucket pointed out, they will definitely eat the inverts and smaller fishes that usually go on a reef, but I don't see any problem if you keep the smaller reef fishes out and keep larger reef fishes in such as hawkfish...those fish are COOL!

starpolyp · #8 01/22/2004, 12:19 AM

They will not eat the coral but hopefully you wont have algae problems, ahem. Those fish need lots of food, and feeding is a reefs worst enemy. Do you want a fish tank or a reef tank? You really need to ask yourself this question. I personally suggest a different tank for a reef if you have those fish. Volitan lions get HUGE. less food=less algae. that is a fact. I would never put any of those fish in my reef if i wanted it to be successfull. To many experiences with hair and bubble algae have taught me to stick with reef fish (blenny and gobies, etc.) in reef tanks.

Aquabucket · #9 01/22/2004, 12:31 AM

You said you only wanted softies. If you are diligent in your husbandry I see no reason not to expand your habitat.

I just hope its a big enough tank. Is this for your largest tank?

There are species of softies that may thrive with higher nutrients. You will need to do some research to see what might work best.

starpolyp · #10 01/22/2004, 12:41 AM

which tank are you planning on doing this in? the 10, 55, or the 85? None of these tanks will support your fish for long anyways, they will outgrow it quite rapidly. What type of moray eels are you speaking of anyways? There are many types that range greatly in size? A Volitan Lion will be cramped in no time in any of your tanks. How big is he now?

dmarie120 · #11 01/22/2004, 05:08 AM

You might also want to think about how the eels will want to move around your rock work. I've got two in a FOWLR tank and they're not exactly delicate in their movements.

J Crew · #12 01/22/2004, 07:21 PM

well i was wondering because at first i was going to try to find my lion and eels a home and turn my 85gal hex into a reef tank. i'm breaking down my other two tanks. but after much thought, emotion, and budgeting... i've decided to keep my lion and eels. my favorite corals happend to be pretty easy corals to care for... shrooms and other softies. i'm not really interested in having a full blown reef tank, but i would like to have a few softies to liven up the fowlr. so that's why i was wondering if they'd mess with the softies.

also, just to set the record straight... i'm not down with over crowding tanks and just stuffing fish in just to have fish. my lion and eels are very comfortable in my 85 hex. and yes, my lion is approx. 3 years old and pretty damn big... and he has plenty of room to swim and has always seemed happy. both eels are about 18" inches and get along with each other and have plenty of room also. hope that answers any questions anyone may have had and thanks again for all the great advice and info. peace