Large angels and butterflies compatibility?

[Felixc]

I am thinking of turning a 180g into an angel and butterfly fowlr. Approximately 6 species of Chaetodon and 6 juvenile large angels. My biggest concern is the angels out competing the butterflies for food. My goal is to have a tank that is easy to feed and perhaps one almost strickly on dry food. I know this is easy to do with large angels, but I have very little experience with butterflies and not sure if they will accept dry food. Can I hear some experiences from veteran butterfly keepers. I need to know if butterflies are high maintanance in terms of feeding or will they adjust to dry food readily?

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

It depends on the butterflyfish. My ulietensis, falcula and saddleback are aggressive eaters that readily go after most foods, including flake and pellets. They should do fine in a tank with angels.

The yln and copperband only pursue live blackworms aggressively, and some chopped seafood. They won't eat flake or pellet. They do ok on mysis and other frozen foods but might not get enough to eat long term unless their behavior changed.

You should feed a greater variety of foods than just dry food, including particularly ON Angel Formula. You may have behavioral problems with 6 large angels in that tank.

 

[snorvich]

Sounds a bit cramped. Large angels approach one foot in length and their perceived territory changes when they reach about six inches.

 

[crobattt]

i'd do 2-3 large angels and 5-6 butterflies

 

[sandwi54]

+1. 2-3 large angels are about as many angels as a 180g can accommodate. Large angels grow very fast, and as they grow their body masses increase exponentially. That means, an 8" angel is not just twice as large as a 4", but four to five times bigger. They grow both horizontally and vertically, and gain girth. With proper care and diet, they will get from 3" to 6" in as few as six months, which by then having even just 2 of them will present territorial issues.

A 12" large angel will make your 180g look very small and very cramped. With a 180g, stick with the smaller species like majestic, regal, etc., and avoid most of the pomacanthus and holacanthus species. They get too big for a 180g and should be in a 8-foot, 300g.

 

[SDguy]

Apolemichthys and Chaetodontoplus angels are great mid-sized angels too.

 

[sandwi54]

Apolemichthys and Chaetodontoplus angels are great mid-sized angels too.

agreed, and also the geniacanthus angels too.

 

[snorvich]

Apolemichthys and Chaetodontoplus angels are great mid-sized angels too.

Yes, they are. Also great looking fish.