Emperor Angel SPS Tank Experiment

[njreefermadness]

I just purchased a juvenile Emperor angel for my 180 Gallon SPS tank. I was surprised that my other fish left him alone, and he was not beat up at all. I have other angels (regal, lemon peel and flame), so I really had no polyp extension to speak of before he was introduced.

He is really eating well, anything I throw in, flake, freeze dried mysis/shrimp, pellet. You name it, he eats it. He picks on my rock here and there, but has left the SPS alone. The flame and lemon peel pick occasionally at the SPS, but that is the price I pay for my "little angels".

I was wondering if other reefers have any experience w/ a juvy emperor transitioning to adult colors. Right now, he is in full juvy coloration, black w/ the swirly blue/white pattern.

I am wondering what to expect as far as when they start to transition, and whether they have a tendency to fully transition in captivity.

Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.

Thanks.

Herb

 

[toothman]

I have one, it took about 2 yrs to totally change, it is fine with acros but it will eat any zoos, lps and clams.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

feed your Emperor well, Herb!

feed your Emperor well, Herb!

somewhere in this thread I introduce an Emperor...can't find the post.
new canvas

that aquarium is now called
Junior's Reef

also see
development pix

 

[njreefermadness]

So far so good with my juvi Emp. He still looks mostly juvenile, but you can see traces of lines starting to come through the swirls.

He is lightening up around the "edges".

Great fish. Eats everything (but my SPS, keep fingers crossed).

Herb

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

mine doesn't bother much...definitely not interested in any Euphyllia spp. or clams. Will nibble certain Zoanthids and certain "open brain" type corals to a varying degree. When Junior gets hungry he's more prone to nibble the terminal polyps on "stag" type Acropora than anything else!

 

[CaptiveReef]

Emperor Angel in Reef

Emperor Angel in Reef

I have one in my 120 reef, I keep him well fed otherwise I catch him nipping the soft corals. He doesn't bother the SPS or the mushrooms, zoo's, LPS. Nice colors!

CaptiveReef :fish1:

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Here is mine as a juvi several (5) years ago.

Here he is about a week ago.

He doesnt nip corals. He eats them. He bites of 1/4 inch pieces and spits out dust.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

He bites of 1/4 inch pieces and spits out dust.

same with mine. I can't imagine they are after anything good tasting except the terminal Acro polyp.

 

[jim.crunk]

Originally Posted by Dog boy Dave
He bites of 1/4 inch pieces and spits out dust.

I guess that makes them calcium reactors...lol

I have a 4" juvi also, now I have a better idea of what to expect.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

update bump

update bump

living room side

 

[watchguy123]

It may be the prettiest fish on the reef but 1/4 chunks of sps tips, that is a big ouch. Still tempted by this angel as well as many other angels because well, they are gorgeous. don't know if I could really tolerate the munching are potential munching of either sps polyps or chalices.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

It may be the prettiest fish on the reef but 1/4 chunks of sps tips, that is a big ouch. Still tempted by this angel as well as many other angels because well, they are gorgeous. don't know if I could really tolerate the munching are potential munching of either sps polyps or chalices.

I need SOMETHING to keep the demand for calcium and alkalinity down

 

[bobkill]

Awesome thread guys - are they more prone to nip if not being adequately feed? Those are large adults

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

Awesome and very beautiful angels!

 

[Bill@IA]

It may be the prettiest fish on the reef but 1/4 chunks of sps tips, that is a big ouch. Still tempted by this angel as well as many other angels because well, they are gorgeous. don't know if I could really tolerate the munching are potential munching of either sps polyps or chalices.

Going through the same thoughts. I have always enjoyed these angels and I have a real sweety that just loves PE Mysis. I really hope it stays focused on what I feed rather than looking for opportunity elsewhere.

 

[carlinhos moreno]

 

[Bill@IA]

Two thumbs up from carlinhos moreno