puffer and anemone

[player2217]

I have had my tank up and running for approx. 6 months. I fish I have are as follows: (1) achillis tang (spelling is wrong), (1) yellow tang, (1) coral beauty, (1) marine beta, (1) red sea sailfin tang, (1) maroon clown, (1) black dog face puffer, and (5) damsels. I have recently added (2) condi anemones. The maroon clown has hosted one. Everyone has told me the puffer will eat or kill any anemones I put into the tank. My puffer is approx. 5 inches and has not bothered the anemones and acts as if he has no interest. Would it be safe to add more anemones, clams or coral. If so can I add another maroon clown. PLEASE HELP!!!

J.I.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Puffers are not reef safe. It may not be bothering those anemones now, but as it grows, the likelihood of it going after any invert increases as that is it's main diet in the wild.

[FishinInTheDark]

Condy anemones and many clams are light demanding creatures. They may do well initially, but will not be able to survive for the long term. Without the puffer, you could do some corals, but I would advise you to stay away from anemones and the more colorful clams until you upgrade your lights.

[kg]

No offense, but depending on the size of your tank, that's a lot of fish! Your inverts might be doing OK now, but I would be willing to bet you will run into water quality issues in the future unless you do 10% weekly water changes. If it were my tank, I'd return the puffer and get something else - not a fish. Good luck!

KG

[Aquatic Realms]

kg, he has a 125 gal tank...check out his tank link like yours. :wink:

You may find that the puffer will cause more problems that it is worth as it grows older. I would recommend you return it to your LFS where you purchased it and ask for a store credit. If the fish is in good health they should have no problems with the return.

Puffers, Lions, Anglers, etc. should be kept in predator, fish only tanks as they are known to cause problems in a reef environment.

Also, Condi anemones need higher lighting levels than your tank has. You WILL need to upgrade those lights if you wish to see continued health of your tank. I will also highly recommend against any more anemones as 1-2 is the MAX you should introduce into a tank unless you are an advanced reef keeper. I will also HIGHLY recommend against adding any clams as they WILL require higher lighting and also require Ca levels around 450-500ppm along with excellent water conditions.