Flame Angels

[35galSaltwater]

How difficult are Flame Angels to keep and care for? I bought one a while ago and I loved the color etc. but it died on the 2nd or 3rd day. Now I looked at 2 more in the fish store and they also didn't look well. I am wondering if they are really difficult to acclimate and to keep?

 

[Blue Ring Sting]

I have kept a number of flame angels and have never had problems with them eating or being sickly. I just ensure that I take my time in acclimating them and then use some frozen mysis or angel formula. If they dont look very healthy at the store its best to give it a miss. Try and look for a healthier specimen who is eating already.

 

[MacWilliams]

Agreed with Blue Ring Sting. There are plenty of Dwarf Angels that i see in the store that look like crap. I just waited till i saw the perfect one and snatched it up. Just be patient or try another LFS. The ones from the big chain stores here look like crap and i have had a tough time keeping any fish from them alive but im no expert in this hobby.

I have a Coral Beauty and never had any issues with her eating. She eats like a pig. Whats the size of tank? Tank mates? Water Parameters?

Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[Megatrev62]

How difficult are Flame Angels to keep and care for? I bought one a while ago and I loved the color etc. but it died on the 2nd or 3rd day. Now I looked at 2 more in the fish store and they also didn't look well. I am wondering if they are really difficult to acclimate and to keep?

Don't try one for a while. You seem to have a lack of experience. ie tank too young maybe?

 

[gregrocks79]

Love me some dwarf and pigmy angels. Currently have a flameback in my 60g and am considering getting a flame angel as well.

Never had any issues w the various ones I've had. Flames, bicolor, coral beauties and more. Haven't seen any nips in the corals soft and hard. As long as they have enough to eat they seem to be quite happy!

 

[ca1ore]

Flames seem tougher these days than they used to be. I have had a bit of trouble recently finding healthy ones at my LFS. NOT a beginner fish though, better left to a more mature tank.

 

[albano]

I've almost always had a flame angel in my tanks for the past 40 yrs, and presently have a pr in my 450g dt with 8 other angels...however in the past yr or 2, I have heard of many people having problems with keeping them!

 

[Alberta-newb]

From your username I'm guessing a 35 gal. tank? A suggested minimum is 70 gal for a flame, but I find its also dependent on rock arrangement and tank mates to ensure a comfortable "stress free" environment. I've seen larger tanks where pygmies do poorly and smaller where they thrive.

 

[gregrocks79]

I had a flame in my old 24g for years w no issues. But I agree more is more in this case

 

[jaa1456]

I had a flame in one tank for over 12 years. It has been roughly 5 years since I lost the little guy. In the past two years I have tried 3 more with no success, they eat and swim around and then just die. I suspect cyanide used in collecting them, I have a few other dwarfs and have yet to have a problem with one. Including Argi, Flameback, coral beauty and a rusty angel. I did have a multicolor and lemonpeel but they loved the corals to much and were evicted.

 

[MrTuskfish]

IMO, the source of the fish has a lot do do with success with most fish, and especially Flames. I buy all fish of my fish, so knowing the origin is easy. Your LFS should know or can find out if asked. IMO & IME; I avoid fish from The Philippines, Indonesia, or just labeled 'Indo-Pacific" I think collection laws are poorly enforced and general collecting, storage,packing, etc. can be sub-standard in these places. There are a zillion Islands in these countries and wholesalers have no way of telling where, how, and by whom fish are captured or handled. Cyanide is still used in some of these places and there is no way to tell how bad the problem is.
Flames from Christmas island, Tahiti,Vanuatu The Marshall islands, etc. are readily available a much better choice.

 

[35galSaltwater]

How does cyanide aid in capturing fish?

Yes, my tank is 35gal, running well for yrs, only one yr in my home, tons of life rock in there... I think I can fit a small Flame Angel with my Dori, Clown, and new Mandarin. I might give up my Flame Hawk since he eats shrimp and I think I want one or 2 some time in the future again. Like some of you mentioned, I will probably check the stores again and find a healthy fish.

Thanks!

 

[airplanes1016]

How does cyanide aid in capturing fish?

Yes, my tank is 35gal, running well for yrs, only one yr in my home, tons of life rock in there... I think I can fit a small Flame Angel with my Dori, Clown, and new Mandarin. I might give up my Flame Hawk since he eats shrimp and I think I want one or 2 some time in the future again. Like some of you mentioned, I will probably check the stores again and find a healthy fish.

Thanks!

When you say "dori", PLEASE tell me you dont have a regal blue tang in your 35 gallon.

 

[Dissy]

How does cyanide aid in capturing fish?

Yes, my tank is 35gal, running well for yrs, only one yr in my home, tons of life rock in there... I think I can fit a small Flame Angel with my Dori, Clown, and new Mandarin. I might give up my Flame Hawk since he eats shrimp and I think I want one or 2 some time in the future again. Like some of you mentioned, I will probably check the stores again and find a healthy fish.

Thanks!

Please don't put a Flame Angel in a tank that small. I tried once. They're VERY active fish, and need a lot of swimming room. I returned mine because I felt sorry for it... It was very bright, seemed happy, but moved way too fast for my sized tank... Someone else already commented on "Dori". The clown is the only suitable fish for the tank you mentioned. However, the Mandarin CAN be if you're VERY careful, but given the fishes you've chosen to put into a tank that small, I'm guessing the Mandarin should be rehomed as well, and a lot more research is in order.

 

[ca1ore]

IMO, the source of the fish has a lot do do with success with most fish, and especially Flames.

That is an excellent point (that I should have noted in my post). I suspect you are exactly right, and that changes in Flame Angel hardiness (or any fish, for that matter) is probably completely down to collecting and handling practices.

I know with Regals, I avoid the Indo specimens, because they die on me, in favor of the Red Sea variety.

 

[gregrocks79]

So what's everyone's consensus of an established flameback in my 60g and adding a flame angel or coral beauty? Flameback and Flame are Dwarves while the CB angel is a Pygmy. Maybe that difference would help?

Discuss! Haha

 

[albano]

Flameback and Flame are Dwarves while the CB angel is a Pygmy. Maybe that difference would help?

Discuss! Haha

I thought all 3 were the same... Munchkins!

 

[gregrocks79]

Me too. Flame angel and flameback or Pygmy's while the coral beauty is a dwarf. Is it a matter of "wording" or are they really different?!

I want a FA again!!

 

[airplanes1016]

So what's everyone's consensus of an established flameback in my 60g and adding a flame angel or coral beauty? Flameback and Flame are Dwarves while the CB angel is a Pygmy. Maybe that difference would help?

Discuss! Haha

I would think, givin the right aqua scape, and size of fish, this should not be a issue.

 

[gregrocks79]

Ya that's what I'm thinkin. Got tons of rocks n such!! Maybe ill try one this week