So what's the deal with Dwarf Angels???

Starting off with stocking, I'm seeing anywhere from 30-125 gallons for some species. Just recently LiveAquaria changed ALL their minimum tank sizes for dwarf angels from 30 to 70-125, with the exception of Paracentropyge Multifasciata (beautiful fish, but prone to nipping) which remains at 30g, go figure.

If they're considered nippers, does this mean they will also go after desirable anemones (of course not aiptasia)?

That being said, I have a 34g and am trying to plan out stocking, I would love a dwarf angel, but now am unsure if it is advisable. These are what I was thinking of(only one):

centropyge potteri
centropyge flavissma
centropyge eibli
centropyge woodheadi
centropyge aurantia

Assuming PETA is still ok with stocking a dwarf angel in a 30ish gallon tank, which of these would be considered the most reef safe?

 

I recently saw the changes too. Im gonna tag along and see whst people have to say about it. I for one think that someone must have made enough noise to get their attention and change it

 

Regardless of recomended tank size there are many unknowns when it comes to dwarf angel species.They have dreadful survival rates in our systems.IMO they should not even be sold until someone figures out what there specific needs are. It is my theory that they have a commensal relationship with other animals/coral.

 

Even some of the more common ones? Guess no centropyge for me

 

Pygmy Angels fair better but are prone to nipping and can get aggressive.

 

So what exactly makes them so hard to keep?

 

I bet Liveaquaria would probably be happy to answer the question as to why they changed min tank requirements.

It's been speculated that Angels consume many types of marine sponges in the wild and perhaps even some of the mucous slough from certain corals. We might just not be able to always duplicate in limited captive environments. The increase in tank size might also allow for more hunting space and increase swimming area, just guessing.

I have kept the Cherub Angel long term but he did eventually nip at my clams, he was moved to an alternative tank and took to chasing and bullying more passive fish in that tank. The Potters was another Angel I have kept with success, it was in a large tank and they are picky eaters initially, acclimation is half the battle.

 

Some think it has to do with diet.I had a potters angel for two years,fed a varied diet including a frozen dwarf angel formula.The fish died suddenly with no prior sign of stress or disease.Tried a coral beauty in my current tank and after a year had the same scenarin the bright side,since the loss my corals have shown much improvement.They don't devour corals but pick at everything in the tank,it's their nature.

 

I was really hoping for a potter's. dang . Previous owner of my tank said the same, he had a potter's, and after 1 year it died randomly, no sign of anything.

I've read that not only do they nip at the polyps, but also the slime produced by some corals.

I feel confident in my ability to offer a good mix of foods (LFS I work at even has an "angelfish mix") but if there are other factors, I will not end up getting one.

 

This thread sounds like a jerry Seinfeld joke. Ha!
"So what's the deal with...."