Emperor Angelfish - Pomacanthus imperator

so my friend showed up with a juvenile emperor angel 1"-1.5"... and its REALLY cool. I like it alot. Its eating like a pig BUT I read alot about them and they need a larger tank that I have... they need a 150gal apparently. My 90gal is big enough for now but later it wont be. should i just keep it until later?

opinions and experinces please.

 

If you cant provide for it then you need to take it to your lfs. Try to trade it for something more suitable for your tank: Maybe a dwarf angel? you didnt say what else you have in your tank, and that should be a decideing factor as well. Some people keep them intill they grow larger but I think that causes undue stress on the fish as well as the tank. As the fish grows larger so does the bio load and we tend to become attached not wanting to let them go.

 

you would probably have problems with the imperator eating your corals. They get pretty big and would need a 6 foot tank IMO

 

yea i tried to trade a clowntrigger and only got one hermit crab!!

 

Don't expect a lot for it when it gets bigger.* People always get upset when they trade in a large fish and don't get what they feel is fair.* However, I've had people bring in a 15 inch sweetlips grouper and expect a huge trade-in.* Well, we take it in because we care about the animal but it's not inventory, it has to become a store pet because no one is ever going to buy it.* Not many people have big enough tanks or good enough filtration for a 15" sweetlips much less when they become 30".* That means we have to care for a fish for the rest of it's life which means giving it food everyday, maintaining tanks for it, etc.* It's an expense that cuts down on profits.

 

and eats other things that could be profits

 

LOL...good point

 

Im not going to expect anything in return for when it needs to be traded in. It was a gift which has been fine so far... but it he stats eating my coral theeeen we have a problem. I am going to try to keep him well fed.... I really like the little guy so I am hoping i can keep him for a couple of months.

 

Make sure you buy live sponges for it or a food like this.* Ocean Nutrition

 

actually i have a large sponge in my tank currently which he picks at. But thanks for the link as well.