Flameback w/ Cherub?

[JTrigger]

Just curious if anyone had experience with having these two in a setup together. I realize cherubs usually run smaller, but can have a pretty aggressive nature... and have read similar, but less number of articles on flamebacks as well. Being that they're so similar in appearance would that mean more disastrous consequences? Just curious...

 

[Toddrtrex]

What size tank?

Unless it is a very large tank, I would guess that it would end up poorly. I have multiple dwarfs in 2 of my tanks, and have tried different combos, one thing that I have seen is that similarly colored dwarfs really don't get along.

 

[JTrigger]

A mere 90gal. If that's the case, perhaps I'll just consider the FB

 

[Toddrtrex]

In a 90 I would go with the FB and if you really want to mix, make sure a differently colored one, perhaps a flame (( but have a back up plan, doesn't always work )).

 

[Carant]

A mere 90gal. If that's the case, perhaps I'll just consider the FB

With a 90 you could go with a small harem of the Cherub (Centropyge argi). Maybe three at most. Get them small and add all at the same time. I have never seen a harem of the Flameback ... however they are very closely related and likely would behave the same.

Here is a great article: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-02/hcs3/index.php

Let us know what you decide to do.

Cheers,
Bruce

 

[twelvejewelz]

I wonder if you put a large cherub and small flameback or the other way around would they possibly pair up and you may not have any problems at all???

 

[JTrigger]

I was actually wondering the same thing... lol, then you could get your hybrid flameback/cherub eventually lol... but I figured the chance of them fighting is still higher than them pairing :hmm2:

 

[Angel*Fish]

What size tank?

Unless it is a very large tank, I would guess that it would end up poorly. I have multiple dwarfs in 2 of my tanks, and have tried different combos, one thing that I have seen is that similarly colored dwarfs really don't get along.

I wonder if you put a large cherub and small flameback or the other way around would they possibly pair up and you may not have any problems at all???

As far as I know there are no cases of an argi x acanthops cross. That would not be surprising since they come from different parts of the world. Like Todd said - you don't usually want to mix similar looking ones. Depending on your level of dedication and resources you could try a female and male and see what happens. But if they do get along, after time passes that could change suddenly so it wouldn't be the kind of thing you could just forget about if they initially seemed fine. You'd need to start with a clear female or juvi - one larger and one smaller won't cut it.

If a pair of two different species is your goal, why not maybe just choose two species that are already known to pair?

Or if you're just looking for an angel to get along with the acanthops, then I would definitely choose something totally different like a flame.

Here's a pic of a Herald's, a couple of flames and an argi all getting along and minding their own business in a 100g. There was a Singapore in there too, but he wouldn't pose.

 

[JTrigger]

Beautiful display! I was giving serious consideration to adding a flame with the FB... so I'll continue that line of that perhaps along with a mental crap shoot in respect to what's more important, some of my LPS or the dwarf angel(s) :fun5:

 

[Angel*Fish]

JTrigger, this morning I was doing some reading and just happened across information stating that acanthops and argi are definitely known to spawn in captivity. So you would want to consider them the same species for stocking purposes. Meaning two males would be extremely unlikely to get along.

 

[JTrigger]

Angel,

Thx so much for that input! Much appreciated! You have a source where you read this? I'd love to get more insight into this!

JT

 

[Sheol]

Actually, I don't see any reason why they couldn't hybirdize. Both are closely related. In a 90 gallon, it might work, if BOTH are added at the same time, and there are lots & lots of places to hide.

Matthew

 

[ocellaris123]

I have done the exact match you propose in a 60 gallon (flameback male, argi female) and the fish were showing spawning behavior/possibly spawning when it was close to lights out. Both fish were added at the same time when I combined my two 29 gallons together into a 60.

 

[Angel*Fish]

Angel,

Thx so much for that input! Much appreciated! You have a source where you read this? I'd love to get more insight into this!

JT

It was in Scott Michaels book on angels and butterflies in the section on acanthops. He didn't say much about it except that it happens. If you're interested in angels, it's a very good place to start.

Scott also mentions that because of their personality, the small Centropyges might not be that well suited for smaller community tanks. They can be belligerent or something. I have no experience with that - the only one I've ever had was an argi and that was in a 100g.

 

[JTrigger]

I have done the exact match you propose in a 60 gallon (flameback male, argi female) and the fish were showing spawning behavior/possibly spawning when it was close to lights out. Both fish were added at the same time when I combined my two 29 gallons together into a 60.

Sounds encouraging and interesting, but does make sense... thanks for your anecdotal input!

 

[ocellaris123]

No problem, when the lights were about to turn off both fish would go close to the surface and the flameback would sort of nudge the argis vent, and they would break off into the rock work afterwards. This would occur for half an hour or so before lights off. If you were to try it make sure to select one large and one small fish to increase your chances of selecting a male and female.

I would also note that I attempted to add a flame angel to the mix, only having to remove the flame due to the flamebacks unrelenting aggression towards it, despite proper measures taken to reduce any aggression to the newcomnig flame angel.