Best method to add several different Dwarf Angels

Mickey

Mickey

Active member
So, what's the best method to use to add several groups of dwarf angels to a reef tank? I was hoping for two or three different species, and two or three of each, for a total of 6-9 angels. Reef tank is 225 gallon and has been set up for 7 years. Due to unfortunate circumstances this year (several long power outages :sad2: ) I'm looking to restock. Current inhabitants are two pajama cardinals (11 yrs old), 2 ocellaris clowns (one is 3-4 yrs old and the other new) and 3 blue chromis (1 year).

Thoughts:
1. Obtain them all now and quarantine them together and then add them to the display at the same time. Problem - QT is only 20 gallons.
2. Obtain them all now and quarantine them in separate tanks, then add them to the display at the same time.
3. Obtain one set at a time and add them to display as they come out of QT, one set at a time, so over the next 6-9 months the tank gets restocked.
4. Other ideas????

Have any of you successfully done this? I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Mickey
 
I have done this -- on a much smaller scale -- 3 in a 58/65 and 3 in a 75. If you are going to have any difficult to acclimate/get feeding dwarfs I would put them in first and allow them to get established. IMO/E, it goes a long way towards success if you allow them time (( up to a month )) to settle into the DT, and eat on a regular basis -- to the point of getting them nice and fat. There is a good change their eating habits will be disrupted when the more aggressive one(s) are added.
 
Todd -
So are you suggesting that I add one "group" at a time in quarantine and then also in the display? So, there would be 6-8 weeks between new additions to the display?
 
Would like the flame angels but other than that I am open to suggestions. Off and On I've been thinking about Coral Beauties, African Flamebacks, Eibli, Half-Blacks, Multicolors, etc. My current thought is Flame, Coral Beauty and Eibli but I'm open to suggestions/recommendations.
 
I can only give my experiences...

I currently (( in my 65 )) have a multicolored, coral beauty and a flame*. The multicolored was in there first -- they are more sensitive and can be difficult to get settled in. After that, I put in the coral beauty, some chasing but that calmed down fairly quickly, the multicolored backed down.
After about 5 months, and a move, I added the flame. The flame was in an acclimation box for a week, letting everyone get used to things. The flame and coral beauty did do some good chasing for a week, but the pecking order has been established, multi, CB and the Flame is the leader.

* the flame was part of a male/female pair that shared my 75 with another dwarf angel (( Hasn't been officially named, but think of a blue C. nox )). I lost the male flame when I moved.
 
I added a small regal angel with an established potters in the tank. I used a divider on the tank and made sure the regal was eating well and familiar with the rock structures. After a few weeks, I took off the divider. The potters chased the regal a bit the first day and caused him to go into hiding.. but after the first day they are doing their own thing. Minimal chasing now. Regal still eating like a pig and doesnt seem too stressed.
 
Thanks for the input. Anyone else?

I would like to add three at a time, unless that's a big mistake. I already tried this once but they didn't make it out of quarantine. I lost them all over the course of a week and still not sure exactly what disease got them. Long and sad story. :(

Mickey
 
For what you are trying, I would do pretty much what I did -- though adding all of the same species at the same time. You might have to use multiple acclimation boxes (( or figure something else out )) when you introduce the next set.
 
Mickey said:
My current thought is Flame, Coral Beauty and Eibli but I'm open to suggestions/recommendations.
Click to expand...

Mickey,

Based on your list I would go with flame (FA) and eibli (EB) together then coral beauty last. Two occasions I've added individual CB and both times they are plain nasty toward smaller or new angels.

My recommendation would be to pass on the CB and go with either lemonpeel or potters. If this is route then I would start with the potters first, then add the lemonpeel and FA together.

I currently have 3 FA and 2 lemonpeel in a 180. I started out with 6 FAs back in Oct 2007 and lost 3 to outbreak then added the 2 lemonpeels at different time. A little bit of nipping and chasing the first 2 weeks but nothing major and been getting along pretty well since.

If your budget is open and the ability to find a healthy pair then I would even consider getting a pair of venustus (first) to go with the flame (last) and potters (second).


Best of luck with your restocking plan.

Kevin
 
flameangel88 said:
Mickey,

Based on your list I would go with flame (FA) and eibli (EB) together then coral beauty last. Two occasions I've added individual CB and both times they are plain nasty toward smaller or new angels.

My recommendation would be to pass on the CB and go with either lemonpeel or potters. If this is route then I would start with the potters first, then add the lemonpeel and FA together.

I currently have 3 FA and 2 lemonpeel in a 180. I started out with 6 FAs back in Oct 2007 and lost 3 to outbreak then added the 2 lemonpeels at different time. A little bit of nipping and chasing the first 2 weeks but nothing major and been getting along pretty well since.

If your budget is open and the ability to find a healthy pair then I would even consider getting a pair of venustus (first) to go with the flame (last) and potters (second).


Best of luck with your restocking plan.

Kevin
Click to expand...
WOW...now there's a man, with a plan! No way I'd have the nerve to +1 that...but I'd bet that you know what you're talking about!
 
Flameangel88 -
Interesting suggestions. I have always loved lemonpeels, and actually it was the lemonpeel that got me into the saltwater side but I've always been afraid to try them because I have read they are nasty and shouldn't be kept with other angels. I also thought they got bigger than most dwarfs. I'll have to rethink my list.

I wonder how the flames, eibli and lemonpeels would make out? I will also research the potters at your suggestion. Another thought is the eibli, lemonpeels and half blacks. They seem to be found together on the reefs fairly frequently and often hybridize. I'd probably have to give up on the flame angels then though which will disappoint my daughter.

Another question - most of my research stresses the need for live rock in the tank, which isn't a problem at all in my display. But how do these fish do in quarantine for weeks at a time without live rock? I did have some pretty good sized pieces in my Q tank, but have it in isolation right now because of losing my initial groupings to unknown causes. I don't have any other live rock to spare (or sacrifice? :hmm2:). I want to be sure to get things right this time as I can't afford to do it again. :rolleyes:

thanks.
Mickey
 
Last edited:
Interestingly it was the semilarvatus and flame angel that got me into sw. Over the last 4 years I'd the opportunity to try various angels and butterflies but now I am pretty much set and with just a few more to go when I get the upgrade.

here's back in 2008
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid75.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi287%2Freeftankpix%2FMVI_0523.mp4">

now 2011
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid75.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi287%2Freeftankpix%2F100_0365.mp4">
 
WOW

Those videos are terrific and awe-inspiring. How big did you say that tank was?

That's the kind of motion and activity I want in mine. I stocked originally back in 2004 with a sailfin tang, hippo tang and foxface plus what I said earlier and they got pretty big. I was always hesitant to add much more bioload. I lost those to a hurricane and power outage earlier this year and spent some time thinking about what to do next and decided I wanted smaller fish so I could go with more. Then we had a freakish snow storm and massive power outages again which delayed things. Luckily for me I had a generator ready to go this time.

Mickey
 
Thanks. It's a 180g with about 260lbs of LR to support the bioload. I remember reading in the CT forum where you posted losses. I was the one asking over there about standby generator with auto-transfer. I've been lucky with not losing power but not so lucky with floods. Three in the last 3 years been holding me back on upgrade but finally had to chop a tree where the roots was coming through the basement wall and now just completed the french drain. Hopefully I can move on with the generator then the tank upgrade but have to get my wife a goldendoodle first before I get my tank. :)
 
i would try to QT all separately (you dont want them fighting in the QT - lowers immune system) and add all at once. so QT separate, but drop em in at the same time. If thats possible i would do that. If not, QT only smaller specimens, or 1 male and other 2 females so there are no territory issues.
 
Mickey said:
That's the kind of motion and activity I want in mine
Click to expand...
ME TOO!

<object height="315" width="560">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z5N5It6Et04?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="560"></object>
 
albano said:
Whenever you're ready to take a ride, you're welcome to see it in person!
Click to expand...

I will take up on your offer as long as it's not down in FL. I lived in Johnson City for a semester and love driving up to Ithaca but never went west of Elmira. If it's Katonah then that should be a good ride. I used to drive on Taconic and Saw Mill to the city every 2 weeks.
 
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