Harlequin Tusk question...

[pjed99]

I bought a Harlequin Tusk off of nocturnel last night but I am nervous to put him in my tank. I have 2 lyretail anthias, pair of maroon clowns, boxfish,flame angel, yellow tang, mandarin goby,and a yellow watchman. Will he eat or kill any of these? He is at least 2X the size of any fish in there. I have read that these fish are passive but I gave him a trial run and everybody saw him and went into hiding. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[Rays]

They are very attractive and also can grow very large. I don't see a risk to your fish, but they are crustacean eaters, any crabs, shrimp, snails are at risk.

[BIG SEY 93]

If you have any problems let me know. I was second in line from Nocturnal and would like to be first in line from you if you decide the risk is bigger than the reward. IMO, HTs are very passive for a wrasse-like fish. Most likely if he is in a large tank and fed well, he will only chow down on your crustaceans. I would just watch him and take a daily inventory.

[APISTOBORELLI]

You'd better get the mandarin to my house as soon as possible. :)

[pjed99]

Thanks guys. He is cured of his ich but I waiting until the end of the weekend for him to make the switch!

[Nocturnal]

Cured already? Awesome. I knew he'd drop it quickly.
Killer fish, best of luck. Don't let my tales of him eating my 6 Anthias, large hermit crabs, snails, conchs, and pistol shrimp scare you. I think he'll be fine

[SaltCreep]

Hmm....they do have some nasty teeth......a Mandarin may look like a tasty treat........


Be sure to give updates whatever the outcome.

[SaltCreep]

Did the Tusk eat the Manarin?
Box fish?
Anything?

[bigpuffer]

i kept a large tusk with a manerin no problem. however they do have quite the hunger for emerald crabs and pepermint shrimp. that's why i no longer have it.

[Greg Hiller]

I believe that mandarins are pretty toxic, I doubt most fish would try to eat one. Ever net a mandarin? It's almost impossible to get the 'goo' off your net afterwards.

[capecodder]

I'm curious about having one with cleaner shrimp. Don't they know that cleaners could be their friends? I had a tusk in the past for quite a while and found him to be somewhat passive and submissive to the more aggressive fish (picasso trig, puffer, tang) and never touched any of my more reclusive fish.

[Nocturnal]

I'm curious about having one with cleaner shrimp. Don't they know that cleaners could be their friends? I had a tusk in the past for quite a while and found him to be somewhat passive and submissive to the more aggressive fish (picasso trig, puffer, tang) and never touched any of my more reclusive fish.

The one that was in question was one of the most aggressive Tusks I have ever experienced. He battled himself constantly in the reflection of the glass. So much so he wore his teeth all the way down and scratched the front glass pretty good. And as stated, ate 6 anthias and every crustacean he could find, but would leave the real small hermit crabs alone. He would stand up to the most aggressive fish I have had.
A note on cleaner shrimp. Just because they have a certain pattern of color or are "supposed" to be cleaners doesn't mean they won't get eaten. I had several sucked down by an unlikely suspect, my large (almost 12") French Angel.
Minutes after introducing them, he would come over to them and suck them down like a snack...even with the lights off.

I guess what i'm trying to say is nothing is a guarantee.
Best of luck