Frag Tanks

Can you keep fish in a frag tank ?

Keeping fish in a frag tank is not only possibly its encouraged and highly beneficial. They can provide pest control, nutrients for the coral frags and algae control.


Pest control

Many hobbyists use frag tanks as a temporary holding quarantine tank before introducing frags into their main aquariums. By keeping certain fish that are great at pest reduction like six line wrasse, corris wrasse and  aiptasia eating filefish you can help reduce the likelihood of introducing a pest

Algae control

Frag tanks are susceptible to nuisance algae like all saltwater aquariums. Certain fish can help prevent and even eliminate algae’s in frag tanks if the tank is large enough to house them.  Frag tanks are usually 6-40 gallons so correct species of fish should be considered for the size. Smaller tanks would benefit from additions like lawnmower blennies and larger tanks could house bristle tooth species of tangs or foxface to keep algae at bay

Nutrients

The frags housed in frag tanks need nutrients. Reef tanks that house fish provide corals with nutrients through their waste by regular feeding. In the ocean corals provide a safe haven for fish to live and in turn corals thrive because of the nutrients in fish waste. In a frag tank without fish though the corals can become nutrient starved. Having a small amount of fish to feed can greatly improve the overall frag system and coral health.

Choosing an appropriate sized fish your frag tank is crucial to have sustainable long lasting beneficial effects