Blue Faced angel in a mixed reef?

[msmith619]

I would like to add a couple of large angels to my mixed reef 125 gallon. I was planning a Red Sea Regal and was thinking about a Blue Faced Angel too.
Regals get good remarks on being reef safe. Anyone try a Blue Face in a mixed (mostly LPS and Zoas) reef?
Alternates for the Blue Face would be a Navarcus/Blue Girdled or Emperor. I would LOVE an Emperor (one of my all time favs!) but I worry an Emperor would out grow my 125 gallon tank quickly though.
Both would be purchased as about 3" juveniles and introduced at the same time.
Any experience I could learn from out there before I buy?

 

[RayL]

I would strongly recommend a QT for the regal angel, you want to make sure he is healthy and eating well before being introduced to the display tank

The other angels you like would outgrow your tank, maybe look at a flag fin or Goldflake to go with the regal

 

[ilikefish34]

+1 on the Goldflake as the others will quickly outgrow the 125.
+1 on QT.

I think which ever way you go, the zoas are fish food. They seem to be a favorite of large Angels, even when they are otherwise reef safe. As for the LPS, the fleshier the coral, the more likely they are to be eaten. For example; any of the brains are more likely to be eaten then a torch. Most that have been "successful" still have stories of what their angel ate and fewer, but some, have had "model citizens". Just about all that didn't mess with the majority of their corals credited frequent feedings and purchasing the angels while they were juveniles with giving themselves the best chance. Certainly, the Regal has a much higher chance of not eating corals, which is why I plan on getting one in the future, but my tank will not have any zoas nor fleshy LPS.

They're beautiful fish and they may out way the risk for you. If you do try them, I wish you the best of luck!
Mike

 

[SDguy]

Or maybe a blueline angel instead?

 

[Politiceaux]

I would like to add a couple of large angels to my mixed reef 125 gallon. I was planning a Red Sea Regal and was thinking about a Blue Faced Angel too.
Regals get good remarks on being reef safe. Anyone try a Blue Face in a mixed (mostly LPS and Zoas) reef?
Alternates for the Blue Face would be a Navarcus/Blue Girdled or Emperor. I would LOVE an Emperor (one of my all time favs!) but I worry an Emperor would out grow my 125 gallon tank quickly though.
Both would be purchased as about 3" juveniles and introduced at the same time.
Any experience I could learn from out there before I buy?

The Blue Face is one of my favorite angels, however they get too large for a 125 and will likely become very aggressive in such a small space. They grow to 15" and have a recommended minimum tank size of 220 gallons on Live Aquaria.

If starting with no livestock, I would say to put the Regal in first and allow it to get quite established and comfortable before adding any other livestock. That's exactly what I will be doing on my next mixed reef build.

Allowing them to adjust while being the only fish will increase the odds of them eating a good bit from my research.

 

[Politiceaux]

Or maybe a blueline angel instead?

Blueline and Goldflake are both good choices in a smaller tank such as a 125. Reef compatibility is a crapshoot, depending on what you have.

My philosophy happens to be that I would rather the exact livestock that I desire and will gladly work around them with coral choices. Others have the opposite approach. Neither is right or wrong, just whatever you prefer.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

"Mostly LPS and Zoas" is the worst type of reef for those angels to go in. Regals are relatively safe... except with zoas. The others are hit or miss but if they are going to pick, its most likely LPS.

 

[Reef264]

"Mostly LPS and Zoas" is the worst type of reef for those angels to go in. Regals are relatively safe... except with zoas. The others are hit or miss but if they are going to pick, its most likely LPS.

Couldn't agree more, took the words out of my mouth.Acans will be gone within the first day or two, Blueface Angels love Zoo's, and Acans.Like everyone else said, Blueline, or what I want to do personally is a Rock Beauty.

-Ray

 

[Politiceaux]

I would like to add a couple of large angels to my mixed reef 125 gallon. I was planning a Red Sea Regal and was thinking about a Blue Faced Angel too.
Regals get good remarks on being reef safe. Anyone try a Blue Face in a mixed (mostly LPS and Zoas) reef?
Alternates for the Blue Face would be a Navarcus/Blue Girdled or Emperor. I would LOVE an Emperor (one of my all time favs!) but I worry an Emperor would out grow my 125 gallon tank quickly though.
Both would be purchased as about 3" juveniles and introduced at the same time.
Any experience I could learn from out there before I buy?

Yeah, I just noticed the (mostly LPS and Zoas) part, which is asking for a disaster. Many won't bother the more noxious LPS and SPS, but fleshy LPS and Zoas are as good as gone.