Angel Fish in Reef Tank

[dbmtrman]

I am in the process of setting up a 180gal tank, and was wondering if there are any large angel fish that are reef safe. I currently have a 120 reef, with large leather, various mushrooms, zoos and xenia. I have a coral beauty in there now, who doesn't bother any of them. Was just wondering if I kept the same types of corals in the 170 with large angels would they be ok.

Also are there certain types of corals, that I wouldn't have to worry about with large angels.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

The only ones that are guaranteed safe are the genicanthus genus. Others are hit or miss, some people have success and some dont. LPS, and zoanthids are usually on the menu.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Large Angels have a diet that focuses on coral polyps and sponges. While there are a few lucky people that gambled successfully by keeping them in a reef tank and got model citizens, it's highly discouraged keeping them in reefs. Chances are that it will eat something that you may deem desirable.

 

[dbmtrman]

Thank you both for your responses. Guess I will have to make a decision on which way I want to go.

 

[JKDMan]

ive had good luck with the majestic angel (pomacanthus navarchus)
the pomacanthus genus is also usually a safe bet

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Female Watanabi Angel

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=348&N=0

Male Watanbi Angel

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1708&N=0

Lamarck's Angelfish

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=413

 

[thor32766]

i have a pair of swallotails and they are so awesome!!!!

 

[xinumaster]

I have a pair of swallotails and a pair of bellus in my reef tank and they're been behaving well so far -- I never seen them touch my corals. The pair of bellus was just recently added about 3 days ago.

 

[clekchau]

its hit or miss with larger angels but depending on what corals you keep some are more hit than miss ie regal, goldflake, majestic.

 

[ReefDent]

The pygmies can also be hit or miss. That being said, I've had 4 Majestics (I trade'em in when they get to a certain size), 2 regals, a blueface, a flame, an african flameback, and an emperor. (not all in my 75 and not all at the same time) I'm looking for a nice sub-adult regal for my reef again after my pump failure fish disaster several months back

I actually had more trouble with a hepatus tang that went killer on my zoanthids a couple years back.

I think a big thing with angels is that they have sufficient (other) food. Fish are just like us, in my experience, in that they have preferred foods. When their bellies are full, they're less likely to munch on things they find less apealing.

I also think that angels are exploratory by nature and will pick around at pretty much everything. If there are lots of corals for them to pick at, it's unlikely they will do any severe damage to any single coral. The genicanthus species would be the exception to this generalization.

James