Pg 2 Fish Descriptions

These are unusual looking but always popular marine fish, they are intelligent and pufferfish in particular can become quite tame. These fish are generally quite hardy and tolerant of a range of water conditions, but some are quite susceptible to parasite infections such as whitespot and velvet. They are usually not fussy feeders, taking a range of foods, including corals and other invertebrates, ruling out most types for reef tanks. There are a few groups of pufferfish, but most commonly seen are the dwarf puffers, sometimes called tobies, and the larger "true" puffers.

Dwarf puffers (Canthigaster species) can be mixed with most other fish except predatory or aggressive fish, and often with each other, although aggression occasionally occurs between individuals of the same or similar species. They may nip at small-polyp corals and eat shrimps and other small invertebrates, but generally leave soft and larger polyped corals alone and so can be kept in some reef set-ups. Types which are sometimes available include the saddled puffer (C. valentini), green-spotted puffer (C. solandri & C. papua), and crowned puffer (C. coronata). The larger "true" puffers are best kept with larger fish and not with timid types . They are definitely not suitable for reef tanks as they regard just about any kind of invertebrate as food. The species most commonly seen are the stars and stripes puffer (Arothron hispidus) and the dog-faced puffer (A. nigropunctatus). Some boxfish grow large, but are they are not aggressive fish, and in fact may even be timid. These fish actually prefer the company of their own kind and may be shy and pine away of kept alone. Unlike puffers they cannot inflate themselves, but are protected by a "casing" of bony plates. They need a varied diet including some vegetable foods as well as shrimp or meaty foods (eg squid, shellfish). While relatively tolerant of water quality, they are susceptible to whitespot and velvet. Like the dwarf puffers they eat invertebrates and some coral but may be suitable for some reef tanks. The most commonly available species is the spotted cube (Ostacion cubicus). Cowfish (Lactoria species), a type of boxfish, may sometimes be seen. If stressed, these can exude a toxic slime which, in the confines of a bag or aquarium, can be fatal to themselves and their tank mates. All puffers and boxfish are toxic if eaten, but the main risk from touching other types is the chance of a bite from their very sharp teeth.

One of the largest groups of marine fish, wrasses comes in a range of sizes and varieties. While some are very hardy, others fare poorly in aquaria. Also, while some are very placid, others are boisterous and some quite aggressive. It is hard to make general recommendations about wrasses! In general they can be grouped by size, but even within these groupings there is wide variation. Many wrasses change color with maturity and with sex. Nearly all begin life as female and only the most dominant individuals become male. Most wrasses like to burrow at night or when threatened and will appreciate a deep gravel bed. They are active swimmers that need plenty of room, and may be apt to jump out of uncovered aquaria.

Small types include the genera Anampses, Haliocheres, Paracheilinus, Cirrhilabrus, Pseudocheilinus, Labroides, and Macrophayngodon. These are generally very placid, but may be territorial towards others of their own species or very similar wrasses. Also generally reef-safe, they will not bother corals but they may regard shrimp species as food. The Anampses species are often called tamarins are among the more delicate wrasses. They need very good water quality and low nitrate and are very susceptible to shipping stress. They fare best in reef tanks where there is naturally occurring invertebrate fauna for them to forage on. These are not commonly available but the china wrasse (A. neoguinaicus) may be seen occasionally. The genus Haliocheres contains over 60 species although only a few are available as aquarium specimens, most commonly the blue-tail wrasse (H. melanurus) and the slightly larger but still quite placid two-tone wrasse (H. proserpion). These are both relatively hardy. Together the genera Parachelinus, Pseudocheilinus and Cirrhilabrus are sometimes referred to as the fairy wrasses. Relatively hardy, some more so than others, but the most readily available types: magenta wrasse (C. laboutei), lined fairy wrasse (C. lineatus), spotted fairy wrasse (C. punctatus) scotts fairy wrasse (C. scottorum) are not overly demanding. The Labroides are the cleaner wrasses, with L. dimidiatus being the most commonly seen species. Sometimes kept to control whitespot, which is not actually a part of their natural diet, unfortunately, these fish often do not adapt to taking other foods. The Macropharygodon species are often known as leopard wrasses, with M. meleagris or the red leopard wrasse being most commonly available. These do not always adapt well to captivity, but once a specimen has adapted it can be kept successfully so long as water quality is maintained.

Larger types include the genera Coris, Gomphosus, Hemigymnus, Cheilinus/Oxycheilinus, Thalassoma, Novaculichthys/Xyrichthys and Stethojulius. Most of these are not reef-friendly as they regard a wide range of invertebrates as food and also because they are fairly messy fish, producing more waste than is desirable in a reef system. Most are also quite boisterous - even if they do not show aggression, they may bother other fish, particularly shy species, with their constant swimming. Usually quite aggressive towards others of their own or very similar species, on the whole less so towards other species, but larger specimens may regard small tank mates as prey. The genus Coris is another large one, although again not many are offered for aquariums. Some grow to over two feet in length. Sometimes seen for aquariums are the flame wrasse (C. gaimard -to 40cm) and the comb wrasse (C. picta - to 24cm). These are hardy and not overly aggressive, generally not reef friendly, but they can be kept with some invertebrates. Gomphosus varius is known as the birdnose wrasse. An unusual large species, hardy and relatively placid although quite active, it needs plenty of room. Smaller mouthed than other large wrasses, it can be kept with some invertebrates. Hemigymnus are the thick lip wrasses: the half and half thick lip (H. melapterus) and fivebar thick lip (H. fasciatus). Both grow very large in the wild - to around 80cm - although they do not grow rapidly in the aquarium they should not be housed in small tanks. Fairly hardy once acclimatized, they can be boisterous so are best kept with robust fish. Some of the Maori wrasses (Cheilinus and Oxycheilinus) also grow huge, but the more commonly available floral maori (C. chlorourus), banded maori (C. fasciatus) and two-spot maori (O. bimaculatus) are small enough for appropriate aquaria, the first two growing to around 40cm and the last to around 15cm. All fairly hardy but the larger types can be boisterous. Some of the best known and hardiest wrasses are the Thalassoma species, the lunar and lutescens wrasses being most commonly available. These are very active, rarely hiding or burrowing, but can be boisterous. The razorfish or rock-mover wrasses (Novaculichthys and Xyrichthys species) are fairly large, relatively hardy fish but among the most aggressive and territorial wrasses. They are certainly not reef friendly as they will topple rockwork as well as consuming many invertebrates The dragon wrasse (N. taeniourus) is the most commonly available of these fish. Finally, the bluelined wrasse Stethojulius bandanensis is sometimes available. These are a more delicate species, not always adapting well to aquaria.

Related to the wrasses are the hogfish, tuskfish and parrotfish. Hogfish (genus Bodianus) are relatively hardy and fairly peaceful although they can be boisterous. Generally not reef friendly as they are messy and eat several types of invertebrates. Available species include diana's hogfish (B. diana), axilspot hogfish (B. axillaris), blackfin hogfish (B. loxozonus) and splitlevel hogfish (B. mesothorax). Tuskfish (Choerodon species) are also hardy but eat an even wider range of invertebrates. Most commonly available is the harlequin tuskfish (C. fasciatus). Not generally aggressive, except to other wrasses, but a greedy and fast feeder that may upset shy species. Parrotfish (Scarus species) are rarely available. They are coral eaters (actually devouring coral to derive algae!) and grow to a very large size so are not suitable for most aquaria.

.Tangs, also known as surgeonfish, are medium to large fish, well known as saltwater algae-eaters. All have sharp spines on their caudal penduncle. Like wrasses, they tend to swim mainly using their pectoral fins. Tangs can be prone to whitespot and to problems caused by poor diet or handling, but are otherwise fairly hardy. Most are territorial and may be quite aggressive towards others of their own species and sometimes to other tangs, but other fish are not usually harassed. All tangs require plenty of swimming room. They can be messy and require good filtration and plenty of oxygen. Larger specimens are generally not reef-friendly due to the large amount of waste produced and their appetite for algae and some invertebrates. Smaller types are suitable in adequately filtered reef tanks so long as desirable macro-algae are not a feature. Feeding a good diet is important; tangs need good quality vegetable matter as well as other foods…..
Possibly the best known tang is the regal or blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus). In the wild these can grow to over 30cm, but in the aquarium a size of 15 to 20cm is more common and they do not grow quickly. However, they do need plenty of swimming room. Unlike other tangs, they can be kept together, especially if introduced while small and at the same time. They have a habit of lying sideways or even "playing dead", but this behavior is not a sign of distress. Blue tangs can be kept in suitably sized and filtered reef aquaria, but may regard some small invertebrates as food. Also suitable for many (but not all) reef aquaria are the sailfin tangs (Zebrasoma). These are hardy fish, aggressive towards other tangs and towards their own kind except occasionally when they have grown up together from a very small size, but they do not bother other fish. They are one of the best types of fish for algae control and often kept for this purpose. In reef aquaria they may also eat desirable macro-algae and may occasionally devour small invertebrates. Most readily available is the scopas tang (Z. scopas) which grows to around 20cm, also sometimes seen is the larger (to 40cm) but spectacular sailfin tang (Z. veliferum). Yellow tangs (Z. flavescens) are a very popular fish in America due to their ready availability in that region. Unfortunately they do not occur in Australian waters and most specimens collected elsewhere in the indo-pacific are poorly handled and do not do well in aquaria. Many also come from areas where drug-catching occurs. Occasionally high quality specimens are available, but they command a high price. Similar in temperament to the sailfin tangs are the bristletooth tangs (Ctenochaetus species). These are also good algae eaters and generally reef safe. They can be more demanding than sailfins and are more susceptible to handling stress. Unicorn tangs (Naso species) are largish but fairly hardy tangs. Territorial towards others of their own or similar species, but generally do not bother other fish at all. They need plenty of swimming room. Available types include the bluespine (N. unicornis to 70cm in the wild, but smaller in aquaria and a slow grower) and lipstick tang (N. lituratus to 50cm). Other available tangs belong to the large genus Acanthurus. In general these are a little more delicate than other tangs mentioned so far, and some are quite demanding. Available types that are not overly difficult to keep once acclimatized include the chocolate tang (A. nigrofuscus) and mimic tang (A. pyroferus). These are not aggressive to other fish, but generally do not tolerate their own species. More territorial to other species and more demanding of water quality are the olive tang (A. olivaceous) and the lined tang (A. lineatus).
Closely related to tangs but lacking the caudal spine are the rabbitfish (Siganus). These are not without defense however, their dorsal spines can deliver a very nasty sting. They have similar requirements to tangs: plenty of space, good filtration and a diet rich in vegetable matter. Most are fairly hardy if provided with these requirements. They rarely bother other fish but are territorial towards other rabbitfish. They may devour various invertebrates so are not always reef safe, and like tangs, they can be messy. Best known is the brightly colored foxface (S. vulpinis). Also available periodically are blue-spotted rabbitfish (S. corallinus) and the barred rabbitfish (S. doliatus).