Interested in Majestic Angel - advice please

[newsalt]

I'm thinking of adding a Majestic angel to my 180g FOWLR tank. I would like to learn from owners of this fish, the following:

Best size to buy for best acclimation success in a new tank.

Is a 180g (72x24x24) a large enough tank?

I currently have a pair of clowns, hippo tang, bi-color angel, and yellow-eyed tang and I plan on adding a 6 line wrasse, royal gramma, and school of Anthia's to the tank. Do you think it will get along with these fish?

Should I add the Majestic last or can I add it now and the add the 6 line wrasse, royal gramma and Anthia's after and be ok.

Thanks

 

[MrTuskfish]

Large angels almost always do better as juvis; juvies haven't had a chance to establish a diet that is tough to duplicate in captivity. Plus, raising a large angel from juvi to full-colored adult is a real accomplishment. Not really difficult, but a big thrill. I'd skip the 6-line; I despise these little monsters almost as much as damsels. You're pushing the limit (IMO& IME) on fish population, but I think you're OK. I assume this is not a reef tank, because of the angels. Most anthias don't do well in non-reef tanks, I'm not sure why. A trio of a hardier anthias, like lyretails, should be OK. Anthias really don't "school" in home tanks.

 

[humaguy]

They are wonderful and stunning fish...the smallest of the large angels and they tend to switch to adult coloration very fast and at a small size..when diving it is common to see full adult coloration in specimens smaller than 3 inches...imo they are also the prettiest of the "blue and white" baby angels...
Agree with Tuskfish...I would just worry about the 6 line as they can be absolute terrors...
A baby Navarchus is the only fish I would add and your tank is then nicely populated...

 

[newsalt]

Thanks for both your replies. What in particular don't you like about the 6-line? I've had these my tanks since I started in the hobby and never had a problem. This is not a reef tank. I had a reef tank and lost everything during hurricane Sandy.

 

[humaguy]

So sorry to hear about your loss...

6 Lines often terrorize other fish...even fish many times their size and known to be aggressive...

I would get a real small Navarchus and feed it very often initially as they need to eat frequently at that size...also need live rock to pick at to be happy....

 

[newsalt]

Interesting. Are all wrasses like that? I was also interested in a Christmas wrasse.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Most/many wrasse are fairly civilized. Many/most 6 lines are nasty fish that many folks really regret getting. I remember a Christmas Wrasse as being a peaceful fish, I've never kept one though. Check what LA has to say about them.

 

[rssjsb]

I would second the suggestion of getting a smaller navarchus. Mine was less than 2" when I got it (full adult colors). I've had it for over 5 years and it's a beautiful fish.

Be sure to QT it. It's important for the obvious reasons of protecting against or treating parasites/diseases, but it's also really important to make sure that this fish is eating well before introducing it to your DT. They can be really shy when small (mine was) and it can take them a while to compete for food.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I would second the suggestion of getting a smaller navarchus. Mine was less than 2" when I got it (full adult colors). I've had it for over 5 years and it's a beautiful fish.

Be sure to QT it. It's important for the obvious reasons of protecting against or treating parasites/diseases, but it's also really important to make sure that this fish is eating well before introducing it to your DT. They can be really shy when small (mine was) and it can take them a while to compete for food.

+1
There are so many things a QT does, I just can't understand why it isn't just assumed that a fish will be quarantined, maybe some day. Shy fish acclimate much easier in a QT without all the competition and mayhem of the DT. MY BR/majestic, took at least a week in the QT before he would eat with me glaring at him. He's now finger-tame---a truly magnificent fish; and one of the easiest of the large angels.

 

[newsalt]

So I'm pretty much set on getting a Majestic Angel as soon as I can find one that's a good size and price. Should the angel be the last fish added to the tank or will it accept smaller fish like a royal gramma, a wrasse added afterwards?

 

[MrTuskfish]

So I'm pretty much set on getting a Majestic Angel as soon as I can find one that's a good size and price. Should the angel be the last fish added to the tank or will it accept smaller fish like a royal gramma, a wrasse added afterwards?

That's always an "individual fish" situation. I don't really much about order of adding fish; except with more aggressive or territorial fish. Sometimes there's some pecking order stuff, but it usually settles down.

 

[SDguy]

I'd personally avoid getting a baby navarchus (1.5" or less) unless you have experience with such fish... Really small angels like that can be tough, requiring almost constant feeding. Add to this the fact that navarchus angels aren't really one of the bullet proof hardy pomacanthus angels.