Safe To Add Valentini Puffer?

[wakeboard3584]

Hello everyone! This is my first post, but i have been using the site for info since i started my 28g reef a little over a year ago. First off, thanks for all of the great info! This place has been a life saver. Anyway, right now i have 2 ocellaris, a strawberry basslet, some hard and soft corals and many inverts. The tank's parameters are and have always been solid with near 0 nitrates all the time. I have gone more than 2 months without a water change and have never had any issues with nitrates, although i normally change 20% per month. My question is whether or not you all think it would be safe to add a valentini puffer to my tank. I have no problem with aggression with the current fish, except for my strawberry taking a stab at either ocellaris during feeding time on occasion. I understand the extra fish will push my load over the general 1 inch per 5 gallons of water, but with the stability of the tank where it is, i dont think the bio load would be unmanageable. I am definately going to upgrade to a 75g in the next year when i move, so the fish would not reach full size in the current tank. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!
P.S.
I know the valentinis may nip at corals. I am not worries about this and am not worried about him eating snails. Actually, if he would eat half of my xenia forrest, i would give him a gold star. I just want to know if the fish could be happy and healthy in the tank. Thanks again!

 

[hlcroghan]

He will eat your inverts which will cause more buildup of algae and uneaten food which could lead to nitrates. Just a thought. Unless you are willing to keep buying them, I wouldn't do it.

 

[wakeboard3584]

ya, that was one thing i am worried about. are they generally messy eaters?

 

[hlcroghan]

All puffers are I believe. They pack a large bioload too because the are usually strictly carnivorous. I maybe wouldn't risk this and get something else. Something like a larger flasher wrasse that is reef safe could be beautiful and not such a risk.....Maybe an ornate wrasse. They are absolutely gorgeous. They may eat ornamental shrimp though so that could be a concern. Maybe Scott's Fairy instead?

 

[wakeboard3584]

thanks for the input. unfortunately, you confirmed what i was thinkin. its not a good idea. oh well, better safe than sorry. thanks again!

 

[wakeboard3584]

So would people agree that adding another small fish would be ok, as long as it is a less messy fish that is reef safe?

 

[stanlalee]

my valentini never touched a single snail or hermit. ate algae sheets side by side with hermits. Never bothered my cleaner shrimp either. smaller specimens of toby puffers especially valentini's arent usually much of a problem with inverts unless they are tiny. I've asked about this numerous times before I had got mine and I'd say 75-80% never had major if any issues with valentini's depleting their clean up crew.

 

[hlcroghan]

Well, there you go!!! Maybe they are too small to cause a large problem?? So it sounds like there is a risk but it may be a small one if you have tiny inverts like a sexy shrimp......idk if they would be safe for corals though??

 

[wakeboard3584]

I did some more research and actually talked to another person who has a valentini in his reef. It sounds like they CAN cause problems with nipping at corals and inverts, but they generally dont. Unless, like you said, the inverts are really small. the tobies have such small mouths that they really cant do a whole lot of damage. I am still concerned about the bio load on the tank, but i think i'm gonna go ahead and try one. I've had my protein skimmer out of the tank for about 4 months now and my levels are all still great, so i figure adding a skimmer when i put the new fish in will somewhat balance the load. I'll definately keep a close eye on the parameters until i get them into a 75 gallon here in the next 6 months or so. If anyone else has any input, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[hlcroghan]

Please definitely let me know how it goes because I absolutely love puffers and would love to have one but have always held back because of my corals and inverts. I would love to add one to my tank.

 

[wakeboard3584]

I will definately keep you guys posted. I'm going to pick mine up today when i go to get my new skimmer. Hopefully all goes well. I just cant resist their funny little personalities (or fishalities, if you will) haha.

 

[tang4me]

Originally Posted by hlcroghan
http:///forum/post/3014144
Please definitely let me know how it goes because I absolutely love puffers and would love to have one but have always held back because of my corals and inverts. I would love to add one to my tank.
Mine never messed with corals or hermit crabs. It couldn't resist taking out a peppermint shrimp though. Lived with it for 6 months before it decided it was a snack. I wouldn't say it was a messy eater. They are one of the smaller puffers. Had a lot of personality.

 

[wakeboard3584]

Originally Posted by TANG4me
http:///forum/post/3014402
Mine never messed with corals or hermit crabs. It couldn't resist taking out a peppermint shrimp though. Lived with it for 6 months before it decided it was a snack. I wouldn't say it was a messy eater. They are one of the smaller puffers. Had a lot of personality.
haha its funny you say that. i got him in the tank tonight and he did is doing well and ate a few frozen shrimp. then he had his eye on my small peppermint shrimp for a while like he knew what he was havin for his next meal haha. i think he is gonna learn to stay out of the caves in a hurry though, my strawberry basslet tries to take him out every time he goes into one. other than that, all is peaceful tho and goin well. i'll get some pics up and keep you posted.

 

[hlcroghan]

Any updates on your valentini puffer in the tank??

 

[wakeboard3584]

The Valentini has been in the tank since last Thursday and he is doing well. I am worried about some small white spots on his lower fin (there is a thread in the disease forum) but aside from that, he is happy and eating well. He hasnt messed with any of my corals yet, but i only have softies and lps. I did watch him attack a tiny blue leg hermit for about 15 minutes, but the hermit got away I hope his fin spots go away because he is definately my favorite fish. His swimming pattern and the way he shows off by flaring his tail when i go near the tank just crack me up. i'll keep you posted.