Harlequin Sweetlips

[texasreefrat]

Im looking at a spotted sweetlips, and curious how it will do in my tank with the others.
Specs:
135 Gallon
2 Yellow Tangs (Large)
1 Domino Damzel
1 Three stripe Damzel
1 Percula
1 Lawnmower Blenny
Various snails and a huge Hermit
Candy Coral
Several Gorgonians (all purple)
Clove Polyps
Red Base Purple Tip Anemone
I know they get big and will consume smaller fish, but are they a problem otherwise?

 

[fishymissy]

Aside from the blenny, percula, and damsels ending up as lunch, the sweetlips will do fine with the rest. You do realise that they loose their spots and turn into large, dull brown fish, right?

 

[uel]

I have had two of them years ago. I would stay away because they are timid fish and the tangs and damsels would pick them apart. It is possible, if they are big enough, that they could eat some smaller fish. The two I had (at seperate times) were bigger, but did not bother anything. They only lasted a few weeks.

 

[big dave]

Sweetlips, in general are not very hardy. They are a type of grunt. Harlequins max out around 24 inches. Your tank is not really big enough for it. This size fish would create poor water quatlity which is needed for yout inverts. BTW, they eat anything they can or might be able to fit in their mouth. IF you do get one, make sure it is eating before you get it. Oriental sweetlips keep their color and don't get AS big and are somewhat hardier. Good luck.