Bellus Angel, genicanthus, nipping at clam mantles

[slojmn]

Has anyone kept clams with a Bellus angelfish? I was under the impression per literature research and online info that these planktivore eating angelfish would be clam safe as well as reef safe. I ahve had my Bellus for close to a year with no problems in my tank. I just added 3 clams this morning, all extended well, except for one portion of a mantle on one of the maximas (keeping an eye on this). Just got home from some errands and they were all closed and looking unhappy. I sat in front of the tank for a while and eventually watched my Bellus angel come in for some fairly hard mantle nips. I watched long enough to be fairly certain that she is going for the mantle and not anything on the shell. One of the littel maximas was very retracted and she went in straight down to get at the mantle. I am going to cover the clams with some egg crate for now until I can catch her and take her into my lfs on Monday or try to find a local reefer who would want to buy her. What a shame as I am very attached to her but I am designing a brand new clam tank that she would be housed in along with my other fish. With this behavior there is no way she can stay. Bummer

 

[tang_man_montreal]

I've had my female Bellus for almost 2 months now. She's been a model citizen in my mixed reef. I have 4 clams (including a baby gold maxima that was added after her) and have not seen any nipping anywhere. All my clams are extending their mantles fully.

Another person I know also added a Bellus to their tank at about the same time as I did and has noticed the Bellus nipping at some LPS.

I feed very generously with a varied diet. Don't know if this is a factor or not, but it's also to soon to say. However, not all fish are the same, as I have seen a yellow tang devour an open brain coral.

Hopefully your angel will lose interest in that clam... Meanwhile, I'll keep knocking on wood that mine remains a good citizen.

 

[slojmn]

I feed her well and she has been such a great fish. I just love her but she is not losing interest in anyway fro these clams. She is hovering over the clams, seemingly frustrated at not being able to get to them. I can't risk it at $160 for the three clams. She is going to have to go. I was really surprised by this behavior but also understand that you never really know what a fish may do despite the literature and best guesses.

 

[Holyreefer]

not to twist the subject but as anyone been able to keep an Emperor angel with clams?

 

[Johnsteph10]

Qmonroe - even less likelyhood of successfully keeping a large angel with clams.