Coral Beauty Centropyge bispinosus

[scuba-al]

I have read that coral beauty angelfish need 30 gallons+ to live in. I have a 28 gallon system suited for coral reefs, but I have no coral (yet). However, the tank is closer to 26 or 27 gallons because the 28 gallons measures the entire combined system of the filter and pump area in the back. Is this enough room for a coral beauty angelfish? I know that just one or two gallons of swimming area for fish makes a huge difference.
Also, I know these fish are mostly herbivores that will occasionally consume meaty products. If I combined several sheets of nori, pureed veggies, and a small amount of shrimp, would it be a viable food source for the fish?
I currently have a zebra-barred dartfish in my system who won't get along with other gobies or dartfish and an angelfish may be the best choice, provided my tank is large enough.
I'm new, ANY help is great :spin3:

 

[9thwonder]

i would just stick with one of the smaller pygmies like c. argi or c. acanthops. be aware that they can become very territorial in a small system like that. make sure you add it last. good luck

 

[pktech]

Before you think of a coral beauty - I would suggest checking our craigslist for someone trying to dump a bigger tank (like a 55) at least before putting a coral beauty in your 28.

Give the CB a chance to live happy :beer:

 

[Sheol]

Even a C.argi will be problematic. Oh it will live fine, but your other fish and possibly, your coral, WON'T. Same with C.acanthops. I had an C.argi in my 36 Bowfront. He never bothered inverts much, but was an absolute terror to new fish. (suspect in 3 deaths too..).

Matthew

 

[Bax]

I kept a very small CB in a 26 bow for over a year. It moved with me to a 75, a 120, back to a 75 and is currenty in a 100g. It's been with me over 6 years now so I'd say it's full size. When full grown they are too big for a tank less than 55 g IMO. They need a ton of viable live rock to pick on. Mine eats nori, pellets, flakes and all meaty offerings with gusto!

FWIW, mine, so far, has been excellent with SPS, clams, and the few LPS and zoas I have.

 

[scuba-al]

Thanks for everyone's advice. as much as I would love to have a 55 gallon aquarium, i already have a 28 set up and I don't want to be too consumed by this hobby. I want my fish and everything else in my tank to not just live but to live happily (or as close as a fish can get to happiness). So, I'll opt out of owning a coral beauty. thanks guys!

 

[Sheol]

You don't want to become consumed by the hobby? I think I said that over 5 years ago. It just doesn't work that way! LOL

Matthew

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks for everyone's advice. as much as I would love to have a 55 gallon aquarium, i already have a 28 set up and I don't want to be too consumed by this hobby. I want my fish and everything else in my tank to not just live but to live happily (or as close as a fish can get to happiness). So, I'll opt out of owning a coral beauty. thanks guys!

It will happen, like it or not (( the consumed part )). I have delayed going to the hospital because of my tanks.

 

[bryan007]

If you really have your heart set on one of the small angels take a look at the Pygmy Pacific Blue angel. I've had one for about 2.5 years and it is only about 1.5 inches long. Nice looking fish but not as colorful as the CB.

 

[Baltimore Bryan]

If you really have your heart set on one of the small angels take a look at the Pygmy Pacific Blue angel. I've had one for about 2.5 years and it is only about 1.5 inches long. Nice looking fish but not as colorful as the CB.

I have one of these, it is very nice and small. Mine has nice color- navy blue body, light yellow tail, neon blue fin tips, and a pink/purple face.
Bryan

 

[Romewhip]

I have one of these, it is very nice and small. Mine has nice color- navy blue body, light yellow tail, neon blue fin tips, and a pink/purple face.
Bryan

I also have one- small, but a lot of personality and a fun fish

 

[Angel*Fish]

How long has your tank been up and going? Yes to the nori, but for the fish to be comfortable you want lots of rockwork with tunnels and preferably none or little rock touching the back Centropyges are grazing fish and that's what they do all day. You want to maximize the grazing area. And they need to have established rock with microalgae to graze on.

Definitely choose one that stays small as suggested above.

 

[scuba-al]

My tank has only been up for about two months, and there is a very decent amount of algae. My live rock is assembled in a horseshoe shape with about three inches between the back of the tank and the rock; the other rock is at least an inch away from the tank sides (for my magnetic swiper).

 

[Angel*Fish]

That sounds pretty good. I would say if you must have an angel, get an argi. When stocking a tank that size, just think in terms of getting fish that fill different niches. For example a goby that lives in a hole in the sand would likely get along fine with a goby that lives perched in coral or on rocks.