Hyperion1337
Active member
Which has a better record with mixed reefs? And which one looks better?
potters angel vs flame angel
- Thread starter Hyperion1337
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Mr.6LineWrasse
New member
Well, I've always heard the potter's angel were well behaved. And as for which one looks better, ever heard the saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"? I wouldthink you will have a harder time finding a Potter's at your LFS, the one I work at only has had a handful come in but we have 5 Flame Angels at the moment.
rssjsb
New member
I will say that Potters come from Hawaii, which doesn't have a lot of the corals we keep in aquariums. At least one source I've read describes them as eating primarily algae and detritus (which is why they don't do well in sterile new tanks). On the other hand, I had a Potters that loved gorgonians. So you never know.
Unfortunately, it's also sometimes difficult to get them adapted to prepared foods. So flames are better in this regard.
Looks are subjective. I like both, but flames are showier.
Unfortunately, it's also sometimes difficult to get them adapted to prepared foods. So flames are better in this regard.
Looks are subjective. I like both, but flames are showier.
gofor100
New member
I've had both (currently have a Potter's)... beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and you can't really go wrong with either.
The Flame is a showstopper mainly because of it's bright red coloration, but the Potter's has intricate little details that may not show up at first glance, but when taking a closer look can be really stunning.
Here's my Potters... never seen one with as vivid lines/stripes...
Based on what I hear, Potter's are supposed to be more difficult to acclimate because of their unwillingness to accept prepared foods. I actually went against my own rule of not buying a fish that isn't eating at the LFS because of this, and it seemed to have paid off (thinking to myself that I could provide a better environment in my 60 gallon QT than the LFS could in the little box it was keeping it in). The first week, he was picking at some LR that I placed in the QT, but not eating any prepared foods. At some point in the 2nd week, he started eating NLS pellets, then frozen food, now he eats everything (and I feed a pretty varied diet).
The only thing that my Potter's will nip at on occasion is montipora, but this seems to be pretty sporatic and causes no noticeable harm.
Good luck!
-Chad
The Flame is a showstopper mainly because of it's bright red coloration, but the Potter's has intricate little details that may not show up at first glance, but when taking a closer look can be really stunning.
Here's my Potters... never seen one with as vivid lines/stripes...
Based on what I hear, Potter's are supposed to be more difficult to acclimate because of their unwillingness to accept prepared foods. I actually went against my own rule of not buying a fish that isn't eating at the LFS because of this, and it seemed to have paid off (thinking to myself that I could provide a better environment in my 60 gallon QT than the LFS could in the little box it was keeping it in). The first week, he was picking at some LR that I placed in the QT, but not eating any prepared foods. At some point in the 2nd week, he started eating NLS pellets, then frozen food, now he eats everything (and I feed a pretty varied diet).
The only thing that my Potter's will nip at on occasion is montipora, but this seems to be pretty sporatic and causes no noticeable harm.
Good luck!
-Chad
Hyperion1337
Active member
ehhhh how hard is it to get as potter to eat frozen? Is it as hard as getting mandarins to eat prepared?
gofor100
New member
I don't think so... but that's just my personal experience. Once mine started eating, it pigged out. Mandarins are slower eaters...
Honestly, if you prefer the Potters, then I would make sure you have a QT so you can get it eating before putting him/her into the DT.
I suggest QT on ANY fish, but especially hard-to-keep ones like the Potters.
Hope this helps,
Chad
FIREFISHPAT
Member
I love the Potter fish. Potters are no different from other angelfish. First thing ask to see him eat.I pick one up eating flake, pellets, frozen I knew I had a hardy fish. Second and most important you must QT him for at least 6 weeks. I notice ever potter fish I bought got fluke or parasite of some kind. But it wasn't hard to treat I found that copper work the best. After treatment I removed the copper and still watch him for 4 weeks. I have in my 90 gal. Reef tank that has 95% SPS. Never touches except he would plunk at LR. Almost two year I have him. My advice if you buy one I like than about 2 to 3 inch. And be patience with them. Also a mature tank that is cycle and lots of LR.
rssjsb
New member
Actually, this is the number one challenge to keeping them. It is not unusual at all for them not to eat. Mine absolutely will not eat frozen food. Fortunately it grazes a lot and absolutely loves NLS pellets.
IMO...Even when you find one that is eating, there is still a chance that it will just die, weeks/months later, for 'no' reason!
rssjsb
New member
I wonder if that's a function of a detrivore/herbivore being in new tanks? From what I gather, they're quite hardy once they're adapted and eating. It's possible that they still need things they graze on to survive and don't get them in some new and/or "sterile" tanks.
IMO...Few & far between !
Outerbank
New member
I have never owned a flame angel. FAs are stunning. I have a potters and it has its own true beauty. My potters angel nipped at a beautiful pink pocillapora until it died (It would eat all the polyps). I had some clams in my DT that I moved to my refugium. I can't remember who was nipping at the clams, but it may have been the potters. PAs like to always swim in and out of the rockwork, so you will see them and then they are quickly gone, only to pop up on the other side of the tank in a second or two. PAs are very active, almost hyper.
Hyperion1337
Active member
hmmm i think i'll go with the potters. I swam and observed with one the other day in its natural environment in hawaii while snorkeling and fell in love with their colors and patterns. just a quick question... these fish consume algae correct? So if in QT, would it be easier for the fish to transfer to the other food if macro algae is present so that it has something to graze on constantly? Oh and how well do the potters do with anthias like ventralis or sunburst anthias as well as helfrichis and clowns? LOL sorry for the long post 
rssjsb
New member
They don't really eat macro algae. They graze on film or fuzzy algae that grows on the rocks and on the walls of the tank. Mine won't eat nori. It seem to be curious about why the other fish are going nuts over that thing waving around on the clip, but it doesn't ever eat any of it. I would move some live rock to the QT so it has something to graze on while you observe it. You may have to sacrifice the rock or keep it out of your tank for a couple of months if your angel turns out to have something that needs to be treated, but that's better than having your fish starve.
Anthias shouldn't be a problem - different body shape, different feeding habits. I doubt it would even notice the dartfish or the clowns either. Mine's a bit of a jerk, but only to other little angels.
Anthias shouldn't be a problem - different body shape, different feeding habits. I doubt it would even notice the dartfish or the clowns either. Mine's a bit of a jerk, but only to other little angels.
Gogandantess
New member
I had a Potters for more than a year until it died due to an ich outbreak. Just picked one up lastweek. He's in my 150g with a Flame and pygmy angel. Haven't seen him eat but he's always grazing and active. Potters are definitely prettier than Flames.
Hyperion1337
Active member
Even more reasons to go towards potters.
InnerMonkey
New member
I've had both, and the flame drew a lot more wows. Sadly, I've not had luck with either, so I have a coral beauty right now 
+1...IME...flame attracts much more attention from non-aquarists!
Hyperion1337
Active member
Hahaha ^
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