Flame Angel Terror

[GT350pwns]

I have two ocellaris clowns, a bicolor anthias, and a flame angel in my tank.

The angel was fine until the addition of the anthias. Now he terrorizes the anthias (who remains hidden 90% of the time, can't be healthy for the poor guy), the male clown, and even tries his luck with the big female. Is there anything that I can do to cut this madness out?

I really like the flame and don't really want to get rid of anyone, but I don't want all of my fish afraid of coming out because the flame is a buttface. My LFS has suggested trading him out for another flame (citing that an addition after he was already established may have rustled his jimmies).

Should I go back to just the clowns and the angel and see what happens or should the angel get the boot?

 

[Nina51]

what size tank? you might be able to confuse the angel by moving some of your rock around. if you have a qt, you could put him in a time out, rearrange the rock and then put him back in.

 

[GT350pwns]

It's a 36. I was pushing my luck with the anthias (and probably the flame) to begin with and opted for one with a smaller min tank requirement (per LA) and they ended up sending the wrong fish.

I might try rescaping. I don't have much of a problem with taking the anthias out considering the tank he's in is 3x smaller than what is usually recommended. That and I've not really gotten all that attached because all he does is hide. I'm thinking that might be what caused the aggression to begin with as he was a model citizen before the anthias was in the tank. But, I'm also worried that it will keep up even after the anthias is removed.

 

[snorvich]

It's a 36. I was pushing my luck with the anthias (and probably the flame) to begin with and opted for one with a smaller min tank requirement (per LA) and they ended up sending the wrong fish.

I might try rescaping. I don't have much of a problem with taking the anthias out considering the tank he's in is 3x smaller than what is usually recommended. That and I've not really gotten all that attached because all he does is hide. I'm thinking that might be what caused the aggression to begin with as he was a model citizen before the anthias was in the tank. But, I'm also worried that it will keep up even after the anthias is removed.

An anthias will not work in a 36 gallon tank. A flame angel will not work in a 36 gallon tank. And you see the results of both together

 

[GT350pwns]

As I said, I was pushing my luck and tipped the scale.

What would you recommend in place of the two, Steve?

I'm thinking a Midas blenny and maybe one or two smaller fish?

 

[snorvich]

As I said, I was pushing my luck and tipped the scale.

What would you recommend in place of the two, Steve?

I'm thinking a Midas blenny and maybe one or two smaller fish?

Well, a Midas blenny may nip the fins of some planktivores but there are lots of blennies that would work. You want small fish that are not overly active and not algae grazers. Algae grazers in tanks too small become aggressive towards tank mates.

 

[Mark9]

Well, a Midas blenny may nip the fins of some planktivores but there are lots of blennies that would work. You want small fish that are not overly active and not algae grazers. Algae grazers in tanks too small become aggressive towards tank mates.

Just what do you mean by planktivores, surely not a blue whale?

Noun
planktivore (plural planktivores)
(biology) An animal feeding primarily on plankton, such as a blue whale.

 

[HPark]

Just what do you mean by planktivores, surely not a blue whale?

Noun
planktivore (plural planktivores)
(biology) An animal feeding primarily on plankton, such as a blue whale.

Yes, planktivore - An animal feeding primarily on plankton, such as a [insert blenny, butterfly, fish that eat out of the water column].

I'm not sure if blennies are scientifically planktivores but are definitely not coralivores which is the other common classification that we use in our hobby. See this excerpt from the wiki page on butterfly fish:

"Generally diurnal and frequenting waters less than 18 m (59 ft) deep (though some species descend to 180 m (590 ft)), butterflyfishes stick to particular home ranges. These coralivores are especially territorial, forming pairs and staking claim to a specific coral head. Contrastingly, the zooplankton feeders form large conspecific groups. By night, butterflyfish hide in reef crevices and exhibit markedly different coloration."

 

[snorvich]

Yes, planktivore - An animal feeding primarily on plankton, such as a [insert blenny, butterfly, fish that eat out of the water column].

I'm not sure if blennies are scientifically planktivores but are definitely not coralivores which is the other common classification that we use in our hobby. See this excerpt from the wiki page on butterfly fish:

"Generally diurnal and frequenting waters less than 18 m (59 ft) deep (though some species descend to 180 m (590 ft)), butterflyfishes stick to particular home ranges. These coralivores are especially territorial, forming pairs and staking claim to a specific coral head. Contrastingly, the zooplankton feeders form large conspecific groups. By night, butterflyfish hide in reef crevices and exhibit markedly different coloration."

Correct. Add firefish and similars as well as quite a few other common aquarium fish.

 

[syrinx]

And the pacific blue tang as well

 

[Mark9]

Hope nobody has a blue whale...

My point was, planktivore does not seem that descriptive.

 

[Deinonych]

I'm not sure if blennies are scientifically planktivores but are definitely not coralivores which is the other common classification that we use in our hobby.

I would consider blennies to be detrivores, in general, although most are typically classified as herbivores.

 

[Noah 123]

A yellow watchman or orange stripe watchman with a pistol/snapping shrimp would be nice. In a 36 I'd do 2 ocellaris clowns, a blue spot jawfish, and the yellow watchman and pistol pair.

Options: Ocellaris clowns, percula clowns, clarkii clowns, yellowtail damsel, blue damsel, 3 stripe damsel, lemon damsel, green chromis, neon goby, diamond goby, watchman goby, longnose hawkfish, clown goby, blue spot jawfish, midas blenny, royal gramma basslet + more!