[Maya_nl]

We know that some fish stand confessed as coral-eating fish.
A few of them are dwarf-angels,large-angels, butterflies, file fish, triggers...
But also tangs may nibble to lower animals.

Some species are:
Z. veliferum & Z. desjardinnii which pick on gorgonia's and feather dusters
A. tentennii & A. leusternon as far as I know (and heard) pick only on gorgonia's.(probably for a few months)

As far as I know, they do this only at the time they change from juveniles to adults.
Maybe they do this because they get something offered too short to food what has them necessary.
This problem is remedy if you feed them every week a bit mussel.

I want to do some more research of fishes with this strange behaviour and I need your help.

Who know's more species with a strange behaviour?!
Please share your experience with us...

greetings
Maya

[Elmo18]

Hmm..i've never had any that changed coloration as they go from Juvenile to Adult (phases).

I am sure others will help as they probably have larger fishes

- Elmo

[saltjunkie]

Originally Posted by Elmo18

Hmm..i've never had any that changed coloration as they go from Juvenile to Adult (phases).

I am sure others will help as they probably have larger fishes

- Elmo

just about all of the large angels (saltwater) have a color change from juv. to adult..

[Samper]

This thread isn't about color change, it's about eating polyps during the juvenile/adult phase.

[Ninong]

Hi Maya, welcome to Reefland!

Originally Posted by Maya_nl

We know that some fish stand confessed as coral-eating fish.
A few of them are dwarf-angels,large-angels, butterflies, file fish, triggers...
But also tangs may nibble to lower animals.

Some species are:
Z. veliferum & Z. desjardinnii which pick on gorgonia's and feather dusters
A. tentennii & A. leusternon as far as I know (and heard) pick only on gorgonia's.(probably for a few months)

As far as I know, they do this only at the time they change from juveniles to adults.

Are you speaking about just the four surgeonfish species named above or is this a general comment that includes dwarf angelfish, large angelfish, butterflyfish, file fish, triggers and tangs?

Many fish change their dietary habits as they mature. This is quite common, especially in some of the large angels. They may be primarily herbivorous as juveniles but their diet changes to include coral polyps as they mature.

I guess my next question would be whether you are asking about observed captive behavior or natural behavior? Many fish (e.g., Centropyge loriculus, C. bispinosa, etc.) that do not eat coral polyps in the wild can sometimes become troublesome in aquaria. I believe the problem is that they graze on coral slime and the slime from Tridacna spp. clams in the wild but this is not a problem for the corals or the clams because they aren't pestering the same ones over and over again. Also, in the wild there is no shortage of zooplankton and phytoplankton and therefore no need for them to experiment with other food options. In a captive reef aquarium, they are in continous close contact with all of these other possible food items and may be tempted to sample them from time to time, especially if they are not well fed with appropriate food by the aquarist.

Maybe they do this because they get something offered too short to food what has them necessary.

Yes, I agree completely.

This problem is remedy if you feed them every week a bit mussel.

Which species did you have in mind? Or is this just a general recommendation?

I want to do some more research of fishes with this strange behaviour and I need your help.

Who know's more species with a strange behaviour?!
Please share your experience with us...

Please be more specific. Exactly what "strange behavior" are you researching? Which genera are you researching? For example, are you investigating an entire genus or just one or two species or are you talking about a broad range of genera?

This is an extremely broad topic. Also, are you looking into unnatural behaviors only? By unnatural, I mean behaviors that are observed in captivity but not in situ. For example, Amphiprion spp. in captivity are observed "feeding" their host anemone with food items that the aquarist adds to feed the fish. This has never been observed in the wild because the food items offered in captivity are entirely different than the food items that constitute the natural diet of anemonefish. Anemonefish in the wild feed on tiny zooplankton and algae -- not exactly something you could bring home to your landlord.

I was browsing your gallery and noticed that you have some fish that are not commonly available in the U.S. Your tank is very nice! Good job!



Tell us about your work?


Thanks,

[Elmo18]

Originally Posted by saltjunkie

just about all of the large angels (saltwater) have a color change from juv. to adult..

WHAT I meant to say was I have never had ANY of those fishes that DO..change phases in my tank. I know most of the large angels change colors/phase from juv to adult...

Must have misunderstood me.

- Elmo

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by Elmo18

Hmm..i've never had any that changed coloration as they go from Juvenile to Adult (phases).

I am sure others will help as they probably have larger fishes

- Elmo

I'm like you Elmo, wish I had a larger tank to support 1 or 2.