Blue Face Angel added to existing Emperor Angel?

[snorvich]

In a 350 gallon tank with no other relevant fish, what are the odds of successfully adding a 5 inch blue faced angel to an existing 6 inch emperor angelfish which has been raised from a juvenile and has been established for over a year?

 

[nonstopfishies]

In a 350 gallon tank with no other relevant fish, what are the odds of successfully adding a 5 inch blue faced angel to an existing 6 inch emperor angelfish which has been raised from a juvenile and has been established for over a year?

That move looks dangerous to me for a couple reasons..

1. Emperor already established
2. Emperor bigger than Blueface
3. Emperor only slightly bigger, almost same size.
4. 350 gallon, while big, not huge.

What are the other tankmates?

If at all possible, I would pull the Emperor out for a week and put in a separate tank, then introduce at the same time.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

My BF had no problem standing up for himself and that is a lot of tank, I think it can be done.

 

[snorvich]

I am admittedly nervous about this. Other tank mates are basically irrelevant: mated mandarins, anthias, tilefish, etc.

 

[nonstopfishies]

I am admittedly nervous about this. Other tank mates are basically irrelevant: mated mandarins, anthias, tilefish, etc.

That is what I figured because you didn't list them. With nothing to even question the emperor's reign until now it may be a problem. It is possible, but would make me nervous. You can try it, if you are ready to pull one of them at a moments notice. Sucks trying to get fish out of a reef tank though, or any tank for that matter.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

You can try it, if you are ready to pull one of them at a moments notice.

Yep. I have had good luck with an eggcrate tank divider and more recently an acclimation box although you would need a big one.

 

[dzfish17]

I dont think its going to be a problem. The Emporer is the boss and the Blueface will realize this pretty quickly and become submissive. The Emporer may bark at the blueface a couple of times to let him know that he is in charge. They should be fine in a 350g tank.

 

[snorvich]

Well, since I do not have alternative homing (my other tank is filled with SPS and some very tasty LPS) for either the BF or Emperor, I decided not to try it.

 

[nonstopfishies]

Well, since I do not have alternative homing (my other tank is filled with SPS and some very tasty LPS) for either the BF or Emperor, I decided not to try it.

That would be the safe choice and a good idea. Besides you have plenty of other options that can do well in a tank that size.

 

[snorvich]

That would be the safe choice and a good idea. Besides you have plenty of other options that can do well in a tank that size.

Yes, I know about the many other options; I have been doing this a very long time. I was just getting viewpoints about that one specific combination.

 

[geaux xman]

i have a 4.5" emp juvie(changing) and a 5.5" blueface. they dont even look at each other.

maybe they will get aggressive later on, but as of right now, they dont bother each other at all.

180g fowlr.

i get a lot of enjoyment from having both fish. if two years from now, it doesnt work out, so be it. i'll rehome the fish. at least i will have the pleasure of having the fish for as long as i did.

 

[small alien]

For what its worth (nothing) at least you ended up with the Emperor. That is my favorite angel and a regal fish by any definition. Steve, do you have an idea of your final stock list for your revised 350. I seem to remember you were going to replace tangs with angels. How is that going?

 

[nonstopfishies]

Yes, I know about the many other options; I have been doing this a very long time. I was just getting viewpoints about that one specific combination.

Wasn't saying you didn't. Just agreeing with you to not force the issue.

Does it have to be a 5" one? I would say go for it if you got a juvi.

 

[geaux xman]

chris(campbell) had 2 hefty size emp and blueface in his old tank..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO3aLyHuGng

 

[nonstopfishies]

chris(campbell) had 2 hefty size emp and blueface in his old tank..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO3aLyHuGng

xman, it isn't that they are both in his or your tanks, it's how they got there(order, size, etc.).

 

[snorvich]

Wasn't saying you didn't. Just agreeing with you to not force the issue.

Does it have to be a 5" one? I would say go for it if you got a juvi.

The problem is that a fish from an existing tank (not mine) is being rehomed. So the fish size and disposition (as determined by source) is determined. I am aware of the potential issues and was hoping to find folks that had tried it. If I take the BF, I have no rehoming options if it does not work as my other tank has SPS but many meaty LPS.

 

[snorvich]

xman, it isn't that they are both in his or your tanks, it's how they got there(order, size, etc.).

That is correct. I have had that combination as well, but both were introduced as juveniles so there was no issue. It is unquestionably "how they got there" that is the issue.

 

[snorvich]

For what its worth (nothing) at least you ended up with the Emperor. That is my favorite angel and a regal fish by any definition. Steve, do you have an idea of your final stock list for your revised 350. I seem to remember you were going to replace tangs with angels. How is that going?

I do everything slowly. So it is proceeding, but I don't want to lose my SPS corals that I greatly enjoy. Rehoming tangs is easy as everyone, it seems, likes tangs. Getting exactly the right angel combination is more difficult.

 

[ccampbell57]

I put the blueface in at 4.5" as a sub adult when my emperor was 3" as a juvenile coloration. The blueface was the boss untill the emperor got to his size and then the roles changed.

My 180 was WAY too small for just my emperor let alone my blueface.

Now that they are in the 600g they are fine, but there is still a bit of grunting and chasing as the emperor is 13+" and the blueface is 12"

 

[alton]

I once added a juvy Imp to a tank that held an adult, they turned out to best buds. Try it, if they fight then you will have to remove and resell. One thing I have learned in 20 years of saltwater nothing is guaranteed.