best dwarf angel for a reef

[Shellyfish]

I know most dwarf angels have the potential to nip/eat corals. In your experience which are the most/least likely to do it? I had a coral beauty previously who was an model citizen, I'd love to try a flame angel, but am a little hesitant.

 

[jbell370]

I have a Pacific Blue Pygmy Angel that I adore, bought him over 2 years ago and he has always been a model citizen and gets along with everyone, shy at first, but now always is the first to come for food. I keep SPS, LPS and various other leathers and zoas with no issue.

 

[AquaticFins]

I frankly believe there's too much variability on an individual fish-by-fish basis to make any real generalisations as far as coral nipping. I wouldn't consider any dwarf angelfish "reef-safe."

The only thing I can say with confidence is that the bigger the angel, the more damage it can/will do. As such, the Centropyge argi complex and C. fisheri/C.flavicauda are what I would consider the "more reef-safe" dwarf angels.

By that measure, C. bicolor, C. flavissima/heraldi, and C. eibli/vroliki are on the opposite side of the spectrum.

 

[michael_cb_125]

"I frankly believe there's too much variability on an individual fish-by-fish basis to make any real generalisations as far as coral nipping."

I agree 100% with this statement.

In my experience most dwarf angelfish will not actually eat a healthy coral. These fish are nippers by nature and nip and pick at the substrate (sand, rock, corals, glass, etc.) constantly throughout the day. In general a healthy coral can withstand this (although it may stay more retracted). Most dwarf angels eat the slime/mucous produced by the corals rather than the flesh itself.

~Michael

 

[Toddrtrex]

"I frankly believe there's too much variability on an individual fish-by-fish basis to make any real generalisations as far as coral nipping."

I agree 100% with this statement.

In my experience most dwarf angelfish will not actually eat a healthy coral. These fish are nippers by nature and nip and pick at the substrate (sand, rock, corals, glass, etc.) constantly throughout the day. In general a healthy coral can withstand this (although it may stay more retracted). Most dwarf angels eat the slime/mucous produced by the corals rather than the flesh itself.

~Michael

For the most part I agree. However, my experience with dwarfs and healthy fleshy LPS is completely different -- all of mine have destroyed those type of corals.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I may have just been lucky with mine. The only issue I have had was with a lemonpeel and tubastreas.

~Michael

 

[Toddrtrex]

Just goes to show how individual they are.

Even my venustus dwarf chowed down on them, it is the safest of the ones that I have.

 

[gguy123]

My flame angel doesn't touch a thing

 

[reefjunkie42]

jocs might be a good addition..although abeit expensive.

 

[Jasanden]

"I frankly believe there's too much variability on an individual fish-by-fish basis to make any real generalisations as far as coral nipping."

I agree 100% with this statement.

In my experience most dwarf angelfish will not actually eat a healthy coral. These fish are nippers by nature and nip and pick at the substrate (sand, rock, corals, glass, etc.) constantly throughout the day. In general a healthy coral can withstand this (although it may stay more retracted). Most dwarf angels eat the slime/mucous produced by the corals rather than the flesh itself.

~Michael

I agree
I have a pair of potters angels that do relatively no harm other than annoy my sps to the point that polyp extension is restricted to the night.

 

[Sheol]

I'll give the standard answer to this, but your mileage WILL differ!
C. argi & its relatives (Resplendent Angel, Flamebacks (both species), along with White-tail & C. fisheri are usually the safest from Coral standpoint. However, they not only are the size of damselfish, but have similar traits! Ie, aggressive to fish. Especially new additions.
Flames, Potters, Multi-color, Rusty, Shepard's, Venustus, are generally 50-50 risks.
Lemonpeels, Herald's, Bi-color, Keyhole are BAD NEWS (with an occasional exception).
Healthier corals reduce risk, but don't eliminate it.
Ditto on keeping them fed and/or otherwise occupied.
Larger tanks are better than smaller..
Did I forget anything guys?

Matthew