In going about putting together a stocking plan for one’s captive reef, a prominent question is “what will likely “get along” with what?” My working definition for “reef safe” are organisms that ninety some percent plus of the time will not consume “corals”, nor stocked crustaceans (e.g. Hermits), nor Mollusks or purposeful worms (for instance, Featherdusters) Whereas there are fishes and invertebrates that live on little else than “corals”, there are others that for the most part avoid consuming these.

            For neophytes, folks new to the reef aquarium hobby especially, it’s especially important to give guidance, narrow selection of new livestock to species that are likely for one to live, and secondarily to “live and let live”. There are whole families of fishes that eat “other” organisms for you to select from (Zooplanktivores, macroalgae consumers, whole-fish predators…). Here is a brief review of better choices, more likely “reef safe” fishes to choose amongst.

System Size, Decor Matters:

            An important component of “reef safe ness” should be stated; and that is the issue of how much room and décor there is in a system. There’s a positive correlation, strong in some cases, between volume, environmental “break-up” and the likelihood of tank-mates peacefully co-existing. Basically this is the same olde argument that “bigger is better”. More space not only reduces aggression, but anomalous chewing, eating behavior. Investigate the space requirements of your livestock and only place what can fit at likely full size.

Reef Safe Damsels:

            Most Damselfish genera are too territorial, scrappy, just plain mean to suggest for home reefs, but there are some kinder, gentler shoaling ones that are staples. The best is the genus Chromis. Kept in small odd numbers (5, 7, 9…) they make gorgeous displays, and will not harm corals… In fact, they live within the branches of stony corals in the wild.

Blennioids/Gobioids:

            As space is limited, I’ll limit my mention to only a favorite genus here; though many, if not most of the thousands of species in these two sub-orders are quite reef-safe (with some notable exceptions, e.g. Exallias brevis).

            Ecsenius blennies, like the Midas and so many more, are great animals for reefs, staying small, hardy, being colorful and well-marked, comical and quite active once settled in. These intelligent fishes mostly consume smallish zooplankton in the wild; not much algae as given by many references.

Basses, Small and Large:

            Fancy Basses, subfamily Anthiinae are almost all shoaling/schooling species; some much easier to keep than others. In particular w/ ones living in groups, the onus is on you to secure healthy, not-too-thin individuals, mostly female and sexually undifferentiated, w/ at most one alpha male per system.

            An exception in this subfamily is the Fathead or Sunburst Anthias, Serranocirrhitus latus.

            Larger basses and groupers, the rest of the family Serranidae are reef safe in terms of leaving stinging-celled life alone. They may inhale tasty crustaceans and mollusks however.

Butterflyfishes:  Though there are some obligate corallivorous Butterfly fish species (ones basically ONLY eating coral polyps) there are a number of relatively “reef safe” species as well.

Two most popular Henis, Heniochus acuminatus and H. diphreutes are zooplanktivorous, spending a good deal of the moving current time in mid water, catching foods.

Genus Hemitaurichthys; not super-popular, the Pyramid Butterflyfish, H. polylepis, and the more drab H.

Prognathodes, Roaops… these more rare genera, species are good bets for reef systems of size as well.

Seahorses and Pipefishes:

            Though they’re not good choices to keep w/ fast-moving aggressive-feeders that will out-compete them these tube-mouthed fishes are fine w/ corals, small/er crustaceans, mollusks and worms. Other than having to be trained on other than small zoo-plankton foods, they’re undemanding in terms of water conditions.  My strongest urging is for you to look for and purchase tank bred and reared specimens. These are FAR hardier and well-conditioned to accept frozen/defrosted foods. <Clay, I’ve included a few pix for you to choose from, but have MANY more if you’d like more selection>

Small to Large Anglerfishes, Family Antennariidae:

            Though decidedly not active swimmers, this family has some gorgeous members, and all species are great conversation/character items. Some grow to no more than a couple inches and others to more than a foot. Here I’ll share a couple of images of a mid-sized species, Antennarius pictus; like most Anglers, occurring in a myriad of colours and patterns, depending on its immediate environment.