Anyone keep a three-spot/flagfin angel?

[ACBlinky]

I walked past one of the marine tanks at work today and was captivated by the prettiest little face... I'm a sucker for angels, what can I say? I've never seen a flagfin (Apolemichthys trimaculatus) in person, and when it comes to yellow this little fish puts our lemonpeels to shame! When I asked our marine manager about him he told me the fish actually came in as an 'accidental' in a shipment about four months ago (as I understand it he's been living at an employee's tank all this time and doing very well). I've been looking for a 'centerpiece' fish and this angel has been in captivity for ages, eating all sorts of foods, so I couldn't resist bringing him home. I'm sure when he gets closer to full size that I'll need to upgrade, but hopefully he'll be fine for a while (he's only 2" long). He's in my 65g FOWLR (I know these guys aren't exactly reef safe) and doing fine tonight; there was NO agression at all from or to the other fish, he ate some frozen plankton and he's been picking away at the rocks. I've got my fingers crossed. Anyone keep a flagfin and want to share their experience?

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I had one for about three months before he developed a rather nasty bacterial infection which did not respond to treatment. These fish don't have a very good track record as most of them are very picky eaters. My tank wasn't a reef but it was set up like one (DSB, lots of LR, good flow, skimming, ect.) and until he got sick he was eating everything right out of my fingers from day two. To this day he was the most personable fish I have ever kept. Mine ate everything I fed but this was before those marine angel foods with sponge were available and I believe this food is important to them. I would feed a varied diet supplimented with vitamins, spirulina, nori, and those sponge foods. They aren't a very aggressive fish and dont hold up well to stress or aggression, keep them with passive fish. This fish was on my short list as the centerpiece fish of my new 180 SPS coral tank, but after much research I came to the conclusion they really cant be trusted with SPS as an adult. I have been told the small ones like yours are easier to acclimate and generally do better than larger fish and if you have one that is feeding that is a very good thing. They sure are pretty aren't they, pictures just dont do them justice either.

 

[ACBlinky]

Thanks for the reply. I'm so sorry you lost yours, that sounds a lot like what happened to my Potter's (bacterial infection that literally ate a hole through his side no matter what treatment I used).
I do intend to get a sponge based food as soon as I can, though I may have to order it online (the one store I knew carried it just went under). I've got a Nori clip in the tank with two types of algae and I'm going to try to feed as much variety as possible (frozen foods soaked in Kent Zoe). He was eating at the store but likely being outcompeted by his tankmates; he's a little thin so we've got some fattening up to do. He's actually in an almost semi-agressive tank with a neon dottyback, a South Seas damsel, coral hawkfish and two sand-sifting gobies. There was no sign of agression last night when I added him, he just eyed the damsel a little and she pouted for a while, now everyone's swimming around looking happy - if things go downhill, any agressor will be removed. I sure hope I can do right by this fish, he's just gorgeous

 

[trueperc]

I have small one now about 3 inches but before a move a I had a 5 inch flagfin, I must say this is one amazing fish that I am shock isn't avaible that much, Personally both I have had have been wonderful, Eat almost as soon as they entered the tank and ate everything including nori, one of the angels that I find always swimming around, not aggressive. I also keep an primarly sps tank with a few softies and a clam, now, my last one the only thing is went after is zoos. I do have to say these are not dwarf angels your flagfin is going to eventually need something a lot bigger than a 65 gallon.

 

[PoukieBear]

I used to have one too. He dies a few months after I got him from what I believe to have been some sort of parasite...

He ate well, and didn't bother anything in the tank, and he was quite the 'looker'. He was one of my fave fish at the time.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

ACBlinky- Sounds like he may do well in your tank. Everything I have heard about this fish is that they really need to be the alpha fish in the tank to do well, but this seems to be true of many angels. Scott Michael states in his new angel book flagfin's may even be bullied by dwarf angels.

trueperc- Have you ever observed this species nipping at your SPS? Most of the on line retailers claim this species is fairly SPS friendly but I have heard from a few people that they are not. I might try one and see.

 

[trueperc]

Well in my last one before I lost all my fish in a move, I have never seen him pick at any pf my sps's or leathers, anemoes, mushroom. Also not sure about this whole alpha thing as mine was in a tank with four larger tangs and an adult 7 inch emperor adn teh flagfin was added last. As for my new one he is not touch a thing even xenia or a clam and he's in there with 4 tangs a pair of maroon clowns and a large magestic. I feel as long as you see them eating , which both of my did even right away when the lfs got them and you qt them to make sure they are happy eater and no ich you'll be fine.

 

[ACBlinky]

I bought my angel some Hikari frozen angel food, the primary ingredient is sponge so hopefully that will keep him happy. He's picky right now, doesn't eat a full meal and mostly 'samples' whatever I offer. I have a yellow clown goby in my reef that was thin and behaved this way for ages and then suddenly decided to eat (pellets of all things); I'm hoping the angel goes the same way. As far as I'm concerned, if he wants filet mignon I'll cook some up for him - I have read so much about them being coral nippers, I even have a nice fat Xenia frag in the tank just for him (it's growing out of control in the reef tank) but he's not going for it yet

I'm interested in what I'm reading here, it's great information and I appreciate everyone sharing. The angel is acting very calm, looks like he's in charge (everyone else gets out of his way), but the new hawkfish is being a bit of a jerk to the gobies, chasing them around. He shows no sign of agression towards the angel but I've got my eye on him and hope he settles down in a day or two. If he makes one move towards my pretty little centerpiece, out he goes.

Trueperc - don't worry, if he starts getting big and looking cramped it'll be a nice excuse to upgrade at some point in the future. First I've got to work on keeping him healthy and fattening him up!

 

[tah532]

I have had one for 8 months now and he eats everything and anything, flake food, seaweed selects, mysis, and frozen prime reef. Gets along fine with everyone except does chase my coral beauty quite a bit, no surprise there though. Beautiful fish, and a nice "larger" angel to have in a smaller tank cause they dont get as large as others.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

trueperc- thanks for the info. The alpha fish thing is just something I have read often about this species, that if they feel intimidated they are less likely to feed. I suppose if they are feeding well they simply aren't feeling intimidated. It's good to hear they can be reef safe and can be kept with boisterous fish. One of the things I like about this species is the fact they stay fairly small for a large angel and are a pretty easygoing fish in general.

 

[LargeAngels]

Mine is doing really well. He/she is among a few other angels and lots of fairy wrasses. He was at a local LFS for a month before I took him/her home. Doing extremely well. Eating anything and getting fatter by the day. the flagfin does square off with the goldflake, but nothing serious. Really likes to eat spectrum pellets off the bottom. Currently he is not with corals. But that is the next step.

This is my second one. First one I had in a large reef tank, but it starved. Only reason I got this one is that during the month at the LFS he never lost weight and I watched him eat prepared food.

 

[ACBlinky]

*whistle* look at those lips! That's a fat, happy angel
My little guy looks well and has eaten twice today (I could only feed 2x today, long day at work), though less than I would like - it's like he loses interest after a few bites. My ycg was exactly this way and I brought him around by feeding tiny amounts as many times per day as I could, so I'm trying the same with the angel. I just can't believe how beautiful these fish are, I feel priveledged to have one. I hope I can do right by him, thanks for all the help guys

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

Beautiful flagfin LA, how does he behave around the fairy wrasse? I plan on a few of those in my 180 also as well as some threadfin cardinals and was another reason I was looking for a mellow angel.

 

[LargeAngels]

KT: He acts just fine around the fairy wrasses. I have 4 solar, pair of labouti, Scott's, pink margin, pylie. He is also in with a trio of multicolors and a pair of blue spotted angels.

 

[ACBlinky]

LargeAngels, I'd love to see a FTS of that tank! Multicolors are one of my favourites, I think they're stunning fish.

I tried an experiment today - I've been feeding frozen foods and trying to get my angel to eat more of the sponge-based angel formula to give him the nutrients he needs. He's still 'sampling', so I figured hey, why not try some pellets? Guess who loves MarineGro pellets?! He gobbled up about ten (mini-sized) before he lost interest, I'm so pleased

 

[LargeAngels]

I don't have any full tank shots. Here are a couple.

Multicolor

Blue spot

 

[ACBlinky]

Oh WOW, thanks for that

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I tried an experiment today - I've been feeding frozen foods and trying to get my angel to eat more of the sponge-based angel formula to give him the nutrients he needs.

Have you tried one of those gel based food feeding grids? I bought one but lost my asfur before I had a chance to use it, it sure seems like a great idea for feeding angels and other nippers.

 

[ACBlinky]

I've got a nori clip with a little grid attachment, it is a great idea. This guy seems to get bored after a few bites of something, so feeding him a little bit many times each day seems to be working. I had to feed my ycg this way for weeks (months?) and one day he just... figured it out. I think that if I use the clip and leave anything meaty hanging around in the tank the other fish will just eat all of it - they're all hungry, speedy little beasties

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

updates needed on Flagfins.....