Wimplefish...Reef Compatible?

Ph4Y5e · 09-13-2007, 10:16 AM

Everything ive read on the net about the wimplefish says its reef safe... ... but my LFS says theyre not and theyre sure to eat coral...

is there a fish that looks like a wimple...but does nip at corals? maybe ive mistaken the ones at the shop for wimples but theyre not...

any help will be most appreciated...

omard · 09-13-2007, 10:31 AM

Never seen one here...

Look like this?

amcarrig · 09-13-2007, 10:34 AM

Most heniouchus (aka Wimplefish, aka butterfly fish) will eat coral so I would avoid it.

Heniochus

omard · 09-13-2007, 10:37 AM

Actually, more like this:

FAMILY Chaetodontidae
DISTRIBUTION Indo-Pacific
TEMPERMENT Peaceful
DIET Omnivorous
TANK LEVEL Middle-Lower
SIZE 7 IN

Tangster · 09-13-2007, 11:51 AM

Poor man Moorish idol

amcarrig · 09-13-2007, 12:01 PM

Coral eater no?

Tangster · 09-13-2007, 12:11 PM

Its a butterfly! Pay your dollar and takes your chances I have had them with no issues at all But I have seen them tear a system up. I kept mine very well fed (:

Ph4Y5e · 09-13-2007, 09:44 PM

they have moorish idols here for the same price... sometimes even cheaper than wimplefish....

Tangster · 09-15-2007, 04:51 AM

A Zanclus cornutus is a Angel maybe tang or a fish totally of its own species seems the experts are still not sure where to classify them These feed on sponges only! and coralline algae

Heniochus aka Banner fish is a butterfly species
Sponges corals mussels and some algae pecking

But they are totally different animals with totally different needs and habits..

Ph4Y5e · 09-15-2007, 10:37 AM

i dont plan on keeping an idol, mortality rates seem to be quite hi for that fish... oh well back to the drawing board for some lively schooling fish... guess i might have to wait for some anthias...