Who Knows about Coral Catfish??

[surfergirl]

I have purchased 2 Coral Catfish from my LFS. They tell me they are very hardy, easy to keep and will do okay in my tank as part of my clean up crew. I have a Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, 23 Crabs, 2 Clown Fish, 55 gal. I have read in one of my fish books that these fish are venomous. Are these guys a danger to my tank?

 

[sistrmary]

They forgot to mention that they get about 13" long, With your tank overstocked as it already is, I'd really consider taking them back if at all possible. The venom you read about is in their dorsal and pectoral spines I believe. Not a threat to your tank, only to you They eat most shrimp and any fish that will fit in their mouths (which get pretty large like the rest of them) and they're a massive burden on your bioload. I wouldn't call them cleanup...they mess the sand around a bit eating your buggies and some food bits.
hopefully, the LFS will take them back.

 

[cleo]

I had a coral cat for about 3 years. She was a very aggressive eater and was about 8" long when she died. That fish pretty much started me down the path to a semi-agressive tank- anything smaller than her mouth was out! As for venom- I was hit repeatedly with the mouth whiskers so its not there. Having said that, there's also a non-venomous fish that looks exactly like a coral cat- name of which I can't remember at the moment.

 

[jake22]

The fish that looks like a coral cat fish that is not poisonus is an engineer blenny or engineer goby.

 

[shadow678]

The venom, as sistrMary said, is in the dorsal and pectoral fin spines, as it is in any catfish. It is not a very powerful toxin, and unless you are actually allergic to it, will not be fatal, although the slime coating from the fish will likely cause an infection. (ask me how I know about catfish spine injuries. lol)