Centropyge argi: would you risk one in this setup?

[velvetelvis]

I have a 50G cube (24" x 24" x 20") that's set up as a Florida shallow-water biotope. Lots of inverts (porcelain crabs, peppermint shrimp, rock anemones, tiny featherdusters, brittle stars, sponges, etc) and zoanthids, plus a resident molly miller blenny. I'm planning to add one or two more blennies to create a pair or trio.

I have a chance to buy a smallish (1.5") C. argi from a local reefer. I know they're typically found in deeper water, but I love FL angelfish and this would be a chance to own the only species that would actually fit in my system. He's in a 30 now; previously, he shared a 125 previously with two other angelfish and lots of softies and LPS. His current owner says that he's never had a problem with the pygmy angel nipping or being aggressive, but obviously that's a big tank with lots of hiding places, where he was at the bottom of the pecking order. The LR in my tank has lots of little bolt holes. The only real hiding place is a good-sized cave that the blenny has claimed for her own.

I really like the looks of the pygmy angel, but I'm worried that given the size of the tank and the limited hiding places, the chance of aggression and/or nipping might be too high to risk it. Thoughts/advice/opinions? Thanks!

 

[jaa1456]

I have one now and I have had two others. I never had one pick at corals. I wouldn't worry about aggression of you plan on keeping gobies. I wouldn't hesitate to add it.

 

[rssjsb]

I think he's a pretty low risk for nipping, but you never know. I've had these guys before and never saw them bother any coral, even LPS. Your mileage may vary, of course, but they're as good a bet as a centropyge gets I think.

Territoriality is the real concern, especially for any fish you add after the angel gets comfortable.

 

[velvetelvis]

Thanks for the advice. I gave it a shot (with a good alternate home lined up just in case), knowing that it would be a gamble. I discovered very quickly that it just wasn't going to work out.

The good news: the argi left my corals and anemones alone.

The bad news: while I never saw the angel actually attack my molly miller blenny, he immediately took over the rockwork and chased her away every time she approached it. Not being able to take refuge is very stressful for a cryptic species: the blenny soon darkened up, hid in corners, and even quit eating (which is definitely not normal blenny behavior!).

So, not without some regret, I caught the angel and today will be taking him to his alternate new home, where he'll be in a much bigger tank with a lot more live rock, and no other cryptic species to compete with. Not long after the angel was removed, the blenny darted back into the rocks, then re-emerged to attack some leftover scallop. Seeing my blenny restored to her usual greedy, cocky self made me a little happier about having to rehome the angelfish.

I wish I could keep the argi, as he's a gorgeous little fish. But I'm very fond of my little blenny and she was here first--the system was set up as a blenny biotope. It was an experiment that didn't work out. Maybe my experience will prove helpful to anybody else on the forum who's considering the same arrangement.

 

[rssjsb]

Well, that's too bad. They are nice little fish and I've kept them before without issue. However, I think they're sort of the centropyge version of a sixline. Some work out and some really, really don't.

At least you were prepared to deal with it. It's also refreshing that you've found alternative arrangements that will be better for the fish and you, and also that you're not angry with the fish for being what it is.