Dwarf Angelfish

Hey guys I know there are a lot of opinions out there regarding these guys and there will be a lot of variability between individuals never-mind species,but was hoping you could share some insight or personal experiences.

For examples from what I could read it seems Potters are one of the more difficult to keep and very shy and peaceful liking low stress environments. Lemonpeel and Bi-Color are the most prone to nip at corals and destroy your reef while Coral Beauty are the most likely to be coral friendly.

I am interested in Potters, Coral Beauty, or Flame for my LPS/ softy tank. I know many will say its a 50/50 shot but was wondering if one would be more likely to be reef friendly than the others. Will they eat snails or hermits at all? Will they be aggressive with other fish such as clowns. tangs, or gobies?

 

Those 3 options are probably the least likely to nip at corals. I have a Yellow Angelfish that has recently started nipping at Zoas, so I have to move him.

I doubt that they would bother your CuC, but there is always a chance of them nipping at Clams.

I also doubt that they would bother other fish. HTH

 

I have a flame angel in a primarily LPS reef at the moment and it has not nipped or bothered a coral once. It has also never been agressive to any other fish, and is probably the shyest one of all my fish.

However, I have heard that this can be 50/50 and it comes down to your luck with each specimen.

 

I had someone tell me the smaller the fish the least likely it will nip at corals due to the fact that they dont start eating wild corals until theyre larger and once they develop a taste for them they will always nip in the future on anything theyve had before. Any truth to this??

 

I personally haven't heard of this, but that's probably because i haven't researched a ton on Angelfish. It sounds plausible, though.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Anybody else have personal experiences or knowledge you can share. I am not sure if I mentioned it is a 46gallon bowfront (36inch) with 2 clowns and a small blue hippo tang. Dont plan on adding to much more in the way of fish mostly corals and an angel plus a wrasse or goby at some point as well.

 

No offence or anything for what I am about to say, but its way to small for a tang. Most people say they will upgrade, but life happens and if often prevents you upgrading. It is definately consensus from everyone who has had tangs or even knows about tangs, that they do require 100g - 150g + in size. Tangs just arent sustainable and will most likely succumb to disease with anything smaller.

IMO if you have a tang, its already overstocked. Just adding more fish like angels is just going make it mega overstocked when things grow.

Just my 0.02

 

Although I appreciate your advice a tank is not overstocked with bioload due to the presence of a fish that is only 1-2inches. Bought as a juvie less than an inch I understand there will come a point in time where it needs re-homed. I am thinking at around 4-5inches he will need to be removed and have already arranged for that to happen. I believe it is sometimes a misconception that a tang needs a huge tank, it depends on the species of tang and many other factors for another thread, I made a long post awhile ago somewhere referencing an article about stress levels and what not.

 

What you want the tazer again??I personally never liked that idea as you well know.I get very attached to my fish and feel terrible when they die let alone having to ship one off to the orphanage when it gets to big for my tank.;D Not to mention tearing my tank apart to catch the fish when that time comes.:Kids!!!!!: Not going to derail your thread anymore but IMO proper husbandry means picking appropriate fish for the tank I own.Now don't make me come back here and club you.LOL JK

p.s. I don't know if I'd risk an angel.While they are great fish have you ever tried to catch one?I digress......

 

+1 Vinny