Cherub Angel Questions

Slakker

Premium Member
Posted this in Reef Discussion as well, but figured I should try here as well:

My LFS has an adorable juvenile Cherub angel (Centropyge argi) in right now that I'm thinking about getting. I've been watching it for the past week and a half, it eats readily and seems healthy enough, no visible signs of parasites or anything, but I have seen him scratch on the rocks/sand a few times. He's very responsive, and quite smart (he's managed to find a gap in the tank divider and has started venturing into the cube next door regularly)

I've spent the time he's been in reading and looking for info on the species and have learned quite a bit, but wanted input from Cherub owners as well.
Link to LA - for clarification of species, just in case.

1. How well do most Cherub's behave in the mixed reef? I plan to have a good balance between SPS and LPS in my tank eventually, maintaining a rough 50/50 ratio. I would also like a clam somewhere down the road. I know that it's hit-or-miss with all dwarf angels, but generally speaking, does anyone have an opinion based on personal experience with these guys?

2. I am going to set up my quarantine tank tomorrow (a standard 10g) with the hopes of getting him at the week's end. I was planning moving the sponge out of the AC50 on my established nano into the HOB filter on the QT to add a boost in bio-filtration. Would this be helpful at all? Should I also dig around until I find the ceramic rings for the filter, let them run for a few days in the established tank, and then move them over to the QT?

3. How indicative of a serious problem is the scratching with these fish?

4. If it does end up needing treatment, are they particularly sensitive to Hyposalinity?

Thanks in advance for all of your help. Also, please note that while I mention the nano, the Cherub will be calling my 58g home once it's done cycling.
 
Hate to sound whiny, but no opinions?

Horror stories, success stories, I'm open to it all...someone has to have some experience with these guys in a mixed reef :D
 
I had an argi that was a model citizen in a mixed reef situation. They're mean little buggers, though. I lost him in a pump mishap (pump quit when I wasn't home, oxygen levels dropped) along with several other fish. Had him for less than a year, so who knows what behaviors he would have developed in the future.
 
What kind of fish did you have him housed with? Did he pick on pretty much everyone, or was it maybe just other open water fish?

The only other fish I would be interested in getting after this is a couple of small fish that spend most of their time amongst the rocks and substrate. How well would it get along with my two Ocellaris? I'd hate to put them in any danger.
 
I have had a C. argi in my reef since April of 06. It ignores my ocellaris clown completely, but picks on my yellowtail damsel frequently. It also ocasionally chases my Sankey's dottyback. But no vicious behavior. No coral destruction, with one exception: Zooanthanids.
Pretty fish, very hardy. But beware, many are true terrors. One of the MORE aggressive Centropyge. They will bully fish added after them & will kill other small angels..

Sincerely,
Matthew
 
Thanks Matthew.

It will certainly be the only angel in the tank, and most likely the only active swimmer as well.

Do you think it picks on the yellowtail because their colorations are so similar?
 
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