I Need To Add An Angel (Experienced Angel Nuts Only)

6

64Ivy

B'rer Reefer
Team RC
So after several months of shaping and reshaping my fish population until finally achieving the completely non aggressive and trouble free 'reef safe' population I'd been seeking, I've come to another realization:

I'm still not happy.

The tank doesn't look finished. I need to add an Angel.

For those who don't know, we're talking about a 500g, barebottom SPS dominant system. Currently, it is chock full of Anthias, along with a couple of Hawkfish, a Copperband, Mystery Wrasse, two medium sized Tangs, and three Green Chromis. I keep the tank around the 78 degree mark.

I DO keep a few Favia, Chalices, and Acans on the bottom; in fact, last year I gave up a gorgeous Red Sea Regal because it keep banging on my favorite Favia. In hindsight, I should've just moved the coral to another tank or sold it. I'm in a different frame of mind now. Anyway, with the clear understanding that there are no guarantees with regard to Angelfish behavior, what would be your advice as a final addition:

An Asfur
A Conspic
Another Red Sea Regal
A pair of Genicanthus
Some Other

These are listed in order of my personal preferences but I have almost no experience with them other than the Regal. Which is LESS likely, in general of course, to consume my livestock aforementioned livestock and cause me regret. Thanks in advance.
 
The genicanthus, will far and away, be the safest bet. Although never fool proof, they will be most likely to leave all inverst alone. That being said, they dont share the typical "angel" persona and appearance. IMO, any of the Chaetodontoplus sp. would be best (of which you have listed a Conspic). Bear in mind, some of the coral you have listed are often irresistable to angels, but its impossible to say.

Being the most reef safe angel is like being the tallest midget.
 
I would trade asfur to a majestic angel , both have same risks envolved , but asfur will grow bigger. I have both of them in my FOWLR and love them, but Majestic is more flashy and you can get them in very small size (asfur is available but small juveniles are already changed ...)

Maybe you can put some angel... not just one angel...

Conspic pair would be delightfull to watch in you tank as well ... (unfortunally this one I have never kept...yet)
 
I'd also vote for Chaetodontoplus sp (conspic, blueline, personifer, etc.) They also don't seem to be as aggressive as other angels.

What about adding a pair or trio of dwarfs also. Potters or multicolors.
 
78 degrees is too hot for long term housing of a conspic.

I would highly suggest a pair of Blueline angels or Yellow Belly Regals.

Get them small and watch them grow and change.
 
I know copps keeps an asfur in his reef or did, but I will never forget when the Shedd Aquarium had a huge asfur in one of their reefs and I sat their and watch it take chunks out of corals. Maybe smaller fish are safer but...

On the list would be:
Personifer
Scribbled
Majestic
Red Sea Regal
Goldflake
Flagfin
and I like the Annularis but I don't know anyone currently keeping one or how they are with reefs.

I also vote for the idea of a pair of dwarfs of your choice.

I would say most any angel will be safe with SPS though.
 
Okay, the Asfur is definitely out. And I didn't know 78F was too warm for a Conspic ("This is why I come to you guys"). The Scribbled is an interesting idea though I know nothing about their personality, care and upkeep. So right now, the consensus seems to be either Genicanthus, another Regal, or some dwarfs. I appreciate the advice. Any other thoughts, suggestions or discussion? Please?
 
I seem to remember you having a beefy sohal - nice to have a peaceful reef for a change, eh? ;)

I don't know how many anthias you have, but with 500g I would think you would be able to squeeze in a pair/trio of a dwarf angel species and a bigger angel. I know I wouldn't be able to resist a small harem of flame angels with that much room :)

If you really liked the regal, grab another one although I think Pomacanthus chrysurus is the most beautiful of all the larger angels. A genicanthus pair would be the most obvious choice, being both the most unlikely to bother corals and as peaceful as you are going to get (wantanabes are awesome), but they don't really act like big angels as others have mentioned. Depending on how much you are willing to risk the peace of your tank, watching a small juv Emperor turn into a gorgeous giant would be awesome.

My vote: A pair/trio of flame angels and another regal.
 
Hey Michael! While your options are limitless, I'll throw in a few pointers...

I have no apprehensions keeping ANY angel now in an established large SPS reef (including the asfur you love)... I've kept all seven genera with sps, and no healthy colonies will be eaten by any angel... I now keep over 35 angelfish, redefining the term "angelfish nut" :wildone:... there is something I address in my "Angelfish in Reef Aquaria" talk that I call the "pleco effect"... angels are much more apt to pick on stressed, dieing, or otherwise unhealthy corals... often being the fall guy when in reality it was one of the plethora of other reasons seen in this hobby...

The issue will come with your favia and acanthastrea... quite honestly, any of the five angelfish genera outside of Centropyge and Genicanthus can devour meaty LPS like those even when healthy, so you need to make a decision there... however, your options for other corals for your bare bottom are many with the large angels... I'm in the process of getting back into Ricordea florida as I was back in the day, which are also fine with all angelfish...

In terms of temperature when choosing your angelfish species, the best thing to do is find out the fishes natural temperature range... many "rare" species in the trade, like conspics, are subtropical or deepwater, resulting in the need for cool water... I keep my conspic in the high 60s to low 70s... as I've learned through the years the hard way... many times the problems certain fish will have being kept in warmer water will only manifest themselves over months and sometimes years, and they don't have the even be a "rare" fish... potter's angels for instance...

I'll say in closing that whatever you choose, go with multiples of the same species to witness their natural behaviors... having a 500 gallon and not doing that is a waste in my opinion! :) You could do many neat harems in that tank! :)

Copps
 
I'm voting Genicanthus!

I recently purchased a mated pair of Watanabe's...absolutely stunning. The female's swallowtail (forget the technical term, I apologize) is just amazing. I know they don't live up to the beauty of the not-so-reef-safe angels, but still. Just my $0.02.
 
whatever the final descision

whatever the final descision

before getting rid of any coral, clams (etc.) getting picked on by the fish (or before getting rid of the fish itself): try moving things around.
Sometimes you can move a fleshy LPS or clam to a spot the Angelfish leaves it alone (entirely).
There are obvious mistakes to avoid. (A Scolymia next to the Angel's bolt hole for example).
Get your fish(s) addicted to your feedings. Feed them well. I know this goes against what you commonly hear but my Emperor has become increasingly less destructive as it matures.
 
Looks like I've got quite a bit of thinkin' to do. Never considered adding pairs or harems before. Also, I never realized just how many Angels prefer cooler (below my 78F) water. If I had to choose right now...and, man, I'm glad I don't..., I'd probably go with another RSR PLUS a pair of smaller something else. Question about Genicanthus btw: If one purchases two females, is it a guarantee that one will eventually become a male or is it wiser to purchase a sexed pair to begin with?

Oh, and I'd still appreciate someone's first hand take on Scribbled Angels. Thanks.
 
From another thread on here, apparently the males aren't great shippers. Another reefer said his female turned to a male, but I'm not sure how common that is.
 
64Ivy said:
Looks like I've got quite a bit of thinkin' to do. Never considered adding pairs or harems before. Also, I never realized just how many Angels prefer cooler (below my 78F) water. If I had to choose right now...and, man, I'm glad I don't..., I'd probably go with another RSR PLUS a pair of smaller something else. Question about Genicanthus btw: If one purchases two females, is it a guarantee that one will eventually become a male or is it wiser to purchase a sexed pair to begin with?

Oh, and I'd still appreciate someone's first hand take on Scribbled Angels. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Well I've housed every other angel species in a reef- mostly sps w/o issues. They tend to attack corals that are stressed and sometimes frags. But then again I FEED lots.

As far as scribbles they are beautifulk reef dwellers- they can be bosy after established IME. Although in a 500 maybe less.

I vote for a goldflake/scribble/genitcanthus( no warranty they would stay dif sexes) I've seen them sex change several times over the years.


Good luck with your decisions.
 
Scribbleds are AWESOME. Hands down. If I HAD to put a large angel in with LPS, clams, and zoas, it would be a Chaetodontoplus sp. If you like the looks of scrib, do it!
 
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