Black Banded Angel

[Psionicdragon]

Anyone know if these are reef safe?

This is the scientific name:

Holacanthus arcuatus

Or do anyone know anyone that has it in their SPS tank?

 

[michael_cb_125]

Apolemichthys arcuatus (Bandit Angel)

I have a pair of small juveniles.

I would put this species in any type of reef tank without any worries.

~Michael

 

[mjsfish]

agreed
most end up in reefs

 

[michael_cb_125]

That said, most reef tanks are kept too warm for this species. I run my tank around 69F.

~Michael

 

[jnc914]

I have a 4" Bandit in an LPS tank with no issues. I am actually getting a 2.5" specimen this Friday direct from HI. I intend on either attempting to pair the Bandits or would like to do a trio in that same tank. The tank temp is kept at 72 degrees with no detriment to the corals in the tank.

 

[michael_cb_125]

Jason- Do the trio! I am in the process of deciding whether or not to add another to my tank.

BTW my bandits are kept with LPS, softies and polyps and have never touched a single coral.

~Michael

 

[The Reef Expert]

+1 bandits are reef safe! I have never seen one pick on SPS.

 

[The Reef Expert]

Michael: Is your pair in a species only tank or is it rather a coldish water reef?

 

[Psionicdragon]

Wait, I am confused. They require a low temp tank? Whats the survival rate for these fishes?

I saw two at LFS a week ago, but they died from what I was told. Sad

I am trying to research more on them. Would adding 2 cause fights etc?

 

[Psionicdragon]

Apolemichthys arcuatus (Bandit Angel)

I have a pair of small juveniles.

I would put this species in any type of reef tank without any worries.

~Michael

omg, they are so beautiful! Are you going to add any other angels in your tank? (nice set up btw)

I was thinking about adding 3 regals and 2 bandits. I have one regal so far that is very healthy and hungry all the time lol.

Oh, what size is considered "juv"?

 

[jnc914]

Bandits should ideally be kept in cooler temps, anywhere from 62-74 degrees; cooler the better. When kept in higher temps they waste away as it causes them to have higher metabolisms which they are not accustomed to in the wild as they are a deep water fish. Adding 2 at the same time should alleviate some of the aggression.

 

[jnc914]

Jason- Do the trio! I am in the process of deciding whether or not to add another to my tank.

BTW my bandits are kept with LPS, softies and polyps and have never touched a single coral.

~Michael

Mike- Your Bandits look very healthy. Any further aggression between them? I also like the look of the tank, very nice. I want to do a Bandit trio and they will be the only angels in the tank.

 

[Psionicdragon]

would 4-5 inch be considered a good size, where they are willing to eat frozen food?

 

[jnc914]

The rule on Bandits is usually avoiding an adult specimen over 5". Smaller specimens are ideal as they are more apt to eat quicker and to take to frozen/prepared foods. The Bandit that I have for almost a year now was 2.75" when I got it, and it ate right out of the bag. Small juvies under 2" are alot of work.....

 

[michael_cb_125]

My system is ran at cooler temps (68-70) because of the fish that I keep (most are either found in sub-tropical locations or are collected very deep). Currently I only have the two bandit angels in the tank, but plan on adding a few of my other dream fish .

I am having no issues out of my bandits with regards to fighting. They battled a little at first, but they are now side by side all the time.

Thanks for all the compliments! I love my tank and the fish just make it that much better. Having extremely healthy juvenile bandits is a very rewarding experience!

BTW- reefexpert, have you ever kept a bandit angel in a reef tank?
I keep my tank cold for the fish and the corals dont seem to mind.

~Michael

 

[stunreefer]

+1 bandits are reef safe! I have never seen one pick on SPS.

Reef safe is all relative.

Mine did pick at a Monomyces sp. (similar to Rhizotrochus typus), which I have since moved to the sump, but it leaves all other coral alone.

 

[pulpol]

My system is ran at cooler temps (68-70) because of the fish that I keep (most are either found in sub-tropical locations or are collected very deep). Currently I only have the two bandit angels in the tank, but plan on adding a few of my other dream fish .

I am having no issues out of my bandits with regards to fighting. They battled a little at first, but they are now side by side all the time.

Thanks for all the compliments! I love my tank and the fish just make it that much better. Having extremely healthy juvenile bandits is a very rewarding experience!

BTW- reefexpert, have you ever kept a bandit angel in a reef tank?
I keep my tank cold for the fish and the corals dont seem to mind.

~Michael

what size tank are they in?

 

[michael_cb_125]

Elos System 120 (roughly 90 gallons).
Before they were in this, they were kept in a 25 gallon QT.

~Michael

 

[pulpol]

how long did you keep them in the 25g QT? were you running a skimmer or phosphate reactor? how long do you think i can keep a single specimen in a 34g solana? TIA

 

[michael_cb_125]

I was not running a protein skimmer or phosphate reactor. When I was not dozing medications I was running carbon. I kept a shallow sand bed and about three pounds of live rock. The filtration was provided by the sand, live rock and filtration u it built into the tank ( 25 gallon solana).

I performed weekly water changes.


As for keeping one of these fish in a 34 gallon tank, I think that the would be ok for a while, providing you are able to get a small specimen ( under 3 inches).
But be sure to get a fish for the tank that you have now, not the tank that you plan on getting.

~Michael