Have kept them a couple times. Made sure they were in fact eating at the lfs and brought em home. It seems no matter ow much they eat, they NEED to eat parasites off fish to live. My guys ate lots, first time I thought something might have happened as he ate lots of mysis/flake you name it. I tried again when I had an outbreak - cleaned everyone up good, ate mysis then dissapearedone day.
In Fenners book he states that removal from Hawaii does impact the reef as a whole. Can't quote it right now as I am in Australia =). But there is a whole page on it.
It seems they need parasites to survive from what I have read and in personal experiences.
If they are to survive they need a huge tank with big fish that they can pick at throughout the day.
Good debate though, I just think that people should try other alternatives rather get a fish that has a dismal survial record.
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