Angel starting nipping...any solutions?

[SeaStar]

My flame angel who has been a model citizen since introduction 6 months ago has started nipping at my 6" crocea causing him to stay partially closed. I'm sure this will eventually kill him. I'm sure others have run into a similar problem. Maybe someone has come up with a solution other than removing either the angel or the clam. I cut back on feedings recently to help battle a cyano problem and I believe this put the flame in search of sustenance. As the cyano recedes I will step up feedings. Do you think this will solve the problem or is it a case of once a nipper always a nipper.

 

[peterlin98]

I vote for once a nipper - always a nipper. It's the nature of angel fish to sample here and there in a reef tank.
As much as I love to have angel in my reef tank that houses many clams - I resist the temptation and so far only introduce reef safe fish like wrasse. I recently add a Fairy wrasse - hopefully he will find enough to eat and not jump ouf of the tank.

 

[brianlena2000]

Hi SeaStar,

From what I have heard, once a nipper always a nipper. I know of a guy who put a flame angel into his tank with clams. In one night the angel ripped the siphons off of 10 clams!! I have also heard of people not having a problem until they added a new coral to their tank that the angel decided to taste. Then they proceded to nip at more corals/clams.

I realize that there are people out there that have never had a problem with their dwarf angels bothering clams/corals but for every success story I hear of at least two stories of problems.

This is why I would never add one to my reef tanks.

Best of luck!

 

[NAGA]

NIPPER has gotta go