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Reef Safe

Coral reefs are profoundly complex ecosystems. Nature’s ultimate balancing act, they are basically impossible to perfectly replicate even in very large aquarium systems. This is so because it is necessary to exclude (due to their predatory, aggressive or disruptive nature) many key species. Parrotfish, for example, eat coral and would be a nightmare for reef aquarists. Reef aquarium systems are the ultimate “community tanks,” with the animals not just living (more or less) peacefully alongside one another, but oftentimes even depending upon one another. Any species, ornamental or utilitarian, that harmoniously fits into the group could be called reef safe. Most tangs, for example, which do not eat coral, inverts or small fish are widely regarded as reef safe; lionfishes, which gulp down any small fish they can, certainly are not. While some species are like little angels, and others demons, there are yet others that do not fit neatly into either the “reef safe” or “not reef safe” categories. The hawkfishes might come to mind here; though they are totally cool with small fish and are not particularly aggressive, they cannot be trusted with small shrimp. In some cases, non-predatory/non-aggressive species are deemed to be not reef safe for the reason that their behavior or physiology poses a threat to tankmates. For example, the sea apple (a sluggish filter-feeder) is entirely “peaceful” but nevertheless can wipe out a whole tank in a day due to toxins it secretes when seriously distressed. In this section you will learn which species will, or will not, make for benevolent and innocuous members of your reef aquarium community.

12 Posts

What Kind of Copepods do Mandarins Eat?

The Mandarin Goby is a very captivating fish. This fish is mostly prized because of its appearance. Its vibrant colors and patterns are
Read More about What Kind of Copepods do Mandarins Eat?

Should I Add Snails to My Refugium?

If you guessed that a refugium is a wordplay on refuge and aquarium, you guessed right! A refugium is simply a tank for plant and
Read More about Should I Add Snails to My Refugium?

Tuxedo Urchins for Hair Algae Control

Hair algae is not just one of the common forms of nuisance algae, it is also among the most difficult to eradicate. Indeed, despite the
Read More about Tuxedo Urchins for Hair Algae Control

An Overview of the Firefishes

Marine aquarists are blessed with a gigantic selection of beautiful fish species to keep. Among these, only some are peaceful,
Read More about An Overview of the Firefishes

An Overview of the Filefishes

In the Age of the Reef Tank, many cool (but not reef-safe) saltwater fish families that were once extremely population are now relative
Read More about An Overview of the Filefishes

Squamosa Clams for the Intermediate Level Aquarist

For many aquarium hobbyists, acquiring and displaying a beautiful tridacnid clam is one of the most definitive milestones in their
Read More about Squamosa Clams for the Intermediate Level Aquarist

A captive Bred Court Jester

4 Captive Bred Fish For Beginners

As years go by, more and more fish in this industry have been successfully captive bred, by incredible companies such as BIOTA . This
Read More about 4 Captive Bred Fish For Beginners

Four Great Nano Saltwater Fish

Keeping nano saltwater fish tanks is challenging due to their inherent complications. For example, it is much harder to keep the
Read More about Four Great Nano Saltwater Fish

Someone Holding a Cerith Snail

The Cerith Snail: A ‘Must-Have’ Cleaner

Most aquarists are already aware that snails eat algae. To be most correct, the majority of snail species are algivores. To be sure,
Read More about The Cerith Snail: A ‘Must-Have’ Cleaner

A Beautiful Maxima Clam

3 Tips for Keeping Maxima Clams

For a couple of decades now, tridacnid or “giant” clams (genera Tridacna and Hippopus) have been regarded as the cherries on top of any
Read More about 3 Tips for Keeping Maxima Clams

Coralline Algae Encrusted Rcok

What are Coralline Algae?

There are all sorts of bad algae--hair, slime, turf--and they are widely recognized by aquarists as a manifest sign of poor water
Read More about What are Coralline Algae?

A beautiful wild coral reef full of reef safe fish!

Reef Safe Fish For Sale

The reef aquarium hobby is not just about corals. Otherwise, it would be called the coral hobby. It is not just about fish either. If
Read More about Reef Safe Fish For Sale

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