Pairs/groups of Centropyge

[Zante]

I want to complete the stocking of my tank with four centropyge. The tank is a Fiji biotope and I was looking at centropyge heraldi (Formerly woodheadi) and centropyge deborae.

I have already had pairs of Centropyge, so I was looking at getting two little heraldi and two little deborae (about an inch in size) and grow them to pairs, not necessarily to attempt breeding, I want to see the interaction in my tank.

I have considered also another option: getting four of one or four of the other and have the one that becomes a male have a harem, which I understand is closer to what happens in nature.

What would you suggest? I would prefer the two pairs, but if you think I'll see more interesting behaviour with a group of four I'll go down that route.

The tank is 5 x 2 x 2 feet.

Also, do the centropyge groups actually shoal or do they just associate loosely?

 

[snorvich]

I can not say generally, but I have a harem of flame backs angels and they do not really pay attention to each other except for mating.

 

[Jasanden]

I have a flame,potters,baby regal, and a majestic. Basically stay out of each others way. Tank is 6'x2'x3'. Not all centropyge but angels none the less and all close in size except for the majestic. Also have a pair of watanabi angels.

 

[Zante]

OK, so what do you suggest? One pair of each species or a group of one species?

 

[breederforlife]

About the pair of deborae i think its not a very good idea.
I know the guy who described them as a new species and even him couldn't keep them for long time as they tend to stop eating for no reason. They are very hard to keep and most of the time they are sold as adults.

 

[Zante]

That is why I wanted to get them really small.

I am in no hurry to get them, if it takes two years it takes two years, for example.

Another thing, they are a new species, but they have been sold for years as Centropyge nox. Until Feb 2012 they were considered a colour variation and from Feb 2012 they have been put in a separate species.

Imagine how many people have a blue velvet angel in their tank thinking it's a midnight angel!

 

[Ambition]

I have never seen a deborae that is of appropriate size for pairing with another. They tend to come in close to mature adult size. With pairing centropyge it works best if one adult and a juvenile are obtained. The collection of smaller specimens could become possible in the next few years, who knows.