Reef Safe Fish For The Coral Reef Aquarium

Not all fish are "reef safe". Many of them will tear up corals, consume fish and otherwise destroy other tank inhabitants. The fish species listed here are generally considered by experienced reef tank keepers to be safe for reef tanks. Keep in mind that nothing is "foolproof" when it comes to saltwater aquariums and live animals. There are renegades in any species, so if your new tank critter doesn't work out, remove it before it can do serious damage.

Determining what fish can be kept in a reef tank depends on several factors. The number one factor is the aquarium size. A 180 gallon plus can accommodate larger and a more diverse community of fish, while a smaller tank 55 gallon to 75 gallon is more limited. And then there is a nano reef that can house only small fish with not more than 4 to 6 fish total. The type of corals you keep can also determine the types of fish that can be considered safe. Clown fish can harass a coral when it does not have an anemone. Some corals doe not seem to be bothered by a clown taking over while others can stay retracted because of a clown fish. Tangs can be great in a mid to large aquarium to keep the algae in check, but some may nip at coral polyps when there is not enough macro algae to eat. Other fish may eat ornamental shrimp and crabs.