Are spotbreast angels 100% reef safe

[ksicard]

Hey all,
as the title of the thread indicates I'm looking to find out if spotbreast angels are completely reef safe? I'm talking about Genicanthus melanospilos, for those that need the latin name.

 

[DamonG]

Hey all,
as the title of the thread indicates I'm looking to find out if spotbreast angels are completely reef safe? I'm talking about Genicanthus melanospilos, for those that need the latin name.

I recently purchased one. She is pretty much just eating meats (mysis), nori and spiralina. Every once in a blue moon, I see her munching on algea on rocks.. But itsy about it

 

[ksicard]

Thanks for the input, I would like to hear more from others though. I'm looking to add 1 large fish to my tank thats full of wrasses and other smaller sized fish and I think this might be the one as long as they are 100% reef safe. I love my shrimp and coral and don't want to see them being nipped at.

 

[SDguy]

Mine always were. You can search this forum... IIRC lamark (and maybe bellus?) were the most common nipping offenders

 

[Spartanman22]

Mine doesn't touch the rock or coral. Only eats meaty foods.

 

[anbosu]

I have not had any issues with mine, but I've only had it ~3 months or so.

 

[jusn317]

I've had one in reef for probably 4-5 years now with zero problems, so 100% reef safe for me. Actually looking to add a female or another from same family soon.

 

[ksicard]

Thanks everyone for your input, I think I will be pulling the trigger on this fish after my current fish finish out their QT period.

Does anyone have recommendations for where to purchase one of these online, other then live aquaria? I would like to get a larger specimen and I'd like options to choose from in case live aquaria doesn't have the size I'm looking for.

 

[Kies1]

2 years strong totally reef safe, lovely fish, one of my favourites

 

[albano]

Does anyone have recommendations for where to purchase one of these online, other then live aquaria? I would like to get a larger specimen and I'd like options to choose from in case live aquaria doesn't have the size I'm looking for.

Are you looking for male or female? What do you consider big?

 

[ksicard]

im looking for a 5-7" specimen, I dont mind purchasing male or female it just depends on price and condition of the fish if its a WYSIWG purchase

 

[albano]

im looking for a 5-7" specimen, I dont mind purchasing male or female it just depends on price and condition of the fish if its a WYSIWG purchase

Don't think that I've ever seen a female that big, and a male that size is gonna cost you...if you can find it!

 

[SDguy]

I'm looking for a 5-7" specimen, I don't mind purchasing male or female it just depends on price and condition of the fish if its a WYSIWG purchase

Is there a particular reason you want such a large one? I wouldn't recommend a large male geni like that... can be difficult to acclimate.

 

[ksicard]

No particular reason, I just wanted to purchase one with a little size to it but I'm totally fined with a 3-4" specimen as well. I'm not very picky, I just want to see different sizes that are available from online retailers.

On a side note is there any reason in particular I would want a female or male? The males seem to be more striking but I'm curious if they lose color or brilliance over time or something of the sorts. any info would be appreciated.

 

[jusn317]

Well I originally had a male/female pair. The male was larger and had just faint striping that you could make out. The female died suddenly after couple months, and after that the male began to lose the stripes. To this day the male never regained the stripes, but did grow a very impressive forked tail. I've read and been told that it's pretty typical for the males of this genus to either revert to female or female coloration when there are only one in the tank. Also why you'll notice the males always more expensive than the females.

 

[albano]

Usually a big difference in color and pricing between M & F...
I've had males revert to female coloring...seems to happen often with Genicanthus Angels, especially if you mix multiple 'Geni' males

 

[ksicard]

I'll probably go with a female then, no sense in shelling out the big bucks if they will lose color since I'll only be purchasing a single specimen. Thanks for all the help guys, as soon as my current fish finish out their QT period I'll be pulling the trigger on the swallow tail angel.

 

[anbosu]

Based on the pictures I've seen I think the females have better coloration anyway.

 

[albano]

Based on the pictures I've seen I think the females have better coloration anyway.

Compared to the Zebra male?

 

[anbosu]

Compared to the Zebra male?

Yes, for this specific genicanthus - the bellus and others have more attractive males, I think.