Dwarf angels in reef tank

Automatt

Automatt

New member
I know I Know everyone says angels nip at corals but has anyone has luck in a smaller reef tank with angels? I was at LFS today and say a potters angel beautiful fish (price not so beautiful but i got a gift card) so i was wondering if anyone has any experience.

The fish would be going in a 30 gallon with two clowns and a lawnmower blenny and two small allen damsels that are being terrorised by my clowns so i will prob be moving them to my g.f tank. As far as corals i have a bunch of differant sps, mushrooms, frogspawn, hammerheads, suncoral, and a RBTA.

let me know if you had luck with potters or any other angels i should look at everytime i go to the store angels are always the ones to catch my eye.
 
My potters nips at almost every coral in my tank (sps, lps, and zoas). She doesn't cause any real harm, but it keeps some of my corals from extending their polyps.

Keep in mind that potters are not easy angels to take care of and need to go into a well established reef with lots of liverock. Personally, I feel that your 30 gallon would be too small. Also, if your clowns are attacking your damsels, odds are they would attack an angel too.
 
My tank is well established with a lot of live rock all corals and inverts are thriving. its a 30 hex it is 24x12 . Do you have any suggestions for similar fish?
 
not really considered a dwarf but a mid-size. Black velvet /gray poma
mine doesn't touch any corals
 
Lemon Peels seem to be less inclined to nip corals, as well as Half-Blacks. But this is one of those things that really depends on the individual.
 
89Foxbody said:
Lemon Peels seem to be less inclined to nip corals, as well as Half-Blacks. But this is one of those things that really depends on the individual.
Click to expand...

Not from my research. I'd suggest the african flame back angel or the cherub angel for that size tank. Almost all dwarf angels can be pretty aggressive. These two are two of the smaller of the centropyge. If you have expensive pieces you couldn't stand to lose, I wouldn't suggest getting a dwarf angel. I have an african flameback and have owned coral beauty and flame angels as well. None of them have caused significant damage, but have slowed growth on many lps and zoos and palys.
 
Is there any fish that has the same size shape and coloration that can hold its own against a nippy cown.
 
Different shapes but you could look into pseudochromis or dottybacks or a small hawkfish. Although honestly a pair of clowns in that size tank may always harrass anything else, I have a pair in my 24 gallon alone and they are pretty feisty even though they are still small and not spawning yet.
 
I agree with cubsFAN. The argi complex (cherubs, etc) is probably the best bet for what you're looking for. The biggest issue you might run into is that they can be terrors once established, and could turn around and start beating on your nippy clown.

Any of the dwarf angels are a risk in your tank. My advice whenever someone wants to put one in is that you need to have a plan to get it out if it doesn't work.
 
Ya i will probably be tryin either a flame or pygmy (churbs) as for it beating on my nippy clown it will be interesting to watch what unfolds. i want a fish to maybe put clown into place i got two allen damsels yesterday thinking they dont look anything like clowns differant personality and all needless to say within three hours one as no tale and died :( other is in rocks. so i will be setting a trap and putting it into my g.f tank when i catch it
 
Lemonpeels are LESS inclined to nip corals? REALLY???
Every aquarist who ever wrote a book says they are the absolute WORST choice for a Reef!

Matthew
Again, perplexed!
 
Here is my experience:

Flame angel, loved SPS but nothing else.

Ive had this potter for a day, and so far it has not nipped anything.

Here is the BUT you were wating....you cant have your cake and eat it too. You need to decide, do you want to keep corals or do you want to keep fish? If its corals, keep away from known coral eaters like pygmys can be. If its fish (my case) just make sure everyone will get along and your good to go. I do have corals in the tank, but nothing i care about. Some different toadstools, leathers, GBTA, etc....all can be fragged/replaced if a fish goes nuts overnight.
 
Automatt said:
keep me posted on the potter. I really like those. this is why i wish i had to tank! lol
Click to expand...

If you can:

1) QT
2) Find one thats eating
3) Find one that is not abnormally timid
4) Forgive it for doing what it wants (eating coral could happen)

Do it now! Great fish, probably the most 'personable' fish i have added so far.
 
I've had a pygme (cherub) angel for well over a year now. I haven't had any problems of him nipping at any of my corals. I've got zoa's, a torch, and sun coral. Though my opinion is each fish has their own personality. Becareful, take your time adding him to the DT, and have an exit plan if things don't work out for you.
 
I have had a pair of flames in my mixed reef (softies and LPS) for well over 2 1/2 yrs without a problem, they have never touched anything, I have also had a CB in the same take for over 5 years without a problem.
 
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