Flame Angel.

Today I bought this fish from a guy that's getting out of the salt water fish hobby and now that I am home I started to wonder if I may have purchased a headache. Reef safe with caution? What does that mean with caution? So should I myself try to get rid of it, give it a go or what? I always admired the little fish, but my reef creatures are more important to me than a fish. :-/

 

I have a flame angel in my 55g and he is beautiful. I have had him for like 9 months/ 1 year. He has an awesome personality, zipping in and out of the rock work.

Apparantly some flame angels nip at stony corals and clam mantles. In my 55g I have stony corals, a clam and LPS/ softies etc and he has never ever nipped at any of them. He does however nip at the rock work and the back wall for algae.

I also have number of different invertebrates which he has never had any interest in except for an occasional massage by my cleaner shrimp.

I think it will be a great addition to your tank and give you no trouble at all .

 

Flame angel has individual personality. Some are semi-agressive, but I could say most are very friendly. I have two and both are reef-safe. They nibble at the algae and swim along with 6-line wrasse and shoulder tang, very fun to watch. Beautiful fish. My recommendation, just watch your angel and his behaviour around corals and other fishes for at least a week. Return it if it showed sign of aggressiveness that might be harmful to other tank habitants. Sometimes they can appear to be playful but not harmful.

 

This is how a lot of fish are. Individuals vary a lot and it can be hard to predict how aggressive or destructive a fish will be. Hell, I'm worrying about how to keep my puffer's teeth worn down because mine never goes after any hermits or snails (their main food source in the wild) no matter what the size. My friend's green spotted puffer that was bought at the same age will destroy any invertebrate - he even waits for extra large turbos to go on the sand, then he digs under the snail, lifts and tips it, and then feasts.

I wouldn't worry until he strikes. From what I've read angels only nip a bit at corals, not destroy them overnight. Just keep a close eye on everything.

 

Here is the little turd. I hope he turns out to settle for just the food I give him, plus there are lots of Pods in there. I realized the moment he hit the open water it was pretty much permanent. There is little to no chance he can be captured in my tank. Just not going to happen.
I sure will be keeping an eye on him, but I sure do like the little turd, quite the gorgeous fish.

 

ohh yea! I know about those green spotted puffers, big time fin nippers also.

 

Beautiful fish mate. Mine is my favourite fish easily.

 

Had one for 2 years, never had a problem with it, got along great with everybody from other fish to a peacock mantis shrimp. Unfortunately lost it due to an unforseen man made event. Definitely gonna get another one in time though.

 

Thanks Ryan! He is a nice fish. Just in case I thought of making a mini spear gun should he get out of control, but them I remembered I am a Fly Fisherman and should he get out of control. A little thread and this midge just might do the trick to get him, hahaha!!

 

Fly fishing in your tank eh? I guess there is no season that way....