Potter's Angel

[Xaiv]

I have a potter's angel in a 75 gallon tank. He is now picking at the fleshy parts of my turbo snails and queen conch. Is this typical behavior and is it going to hurt my snails and conch? Any information on this is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Gwynhidwy]

I've had dwarfs that do this and in my experience it results in the snails hiding all day and coming out of their shells only at night when the fish isn't around to bother them. I haven't noticed it hurting the snails, just limiting their activity.

 

[Xaiv]

Ahh ok. Thanks for the info! Is there anything I would be able to do to stop him from doing this? I've tried feeding him more, but he's constantly picking at everything in the tank (rocks, sand, etc.) looking for more food. Also, he isn't quite as fast as my other fish and always backs off if he sees another fish going for his piece of food.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

Do you feed nori? Some of my dwarf angels, including two potters, will pick at nori continually if it's available so that might distract him. Though if he isn't used to it, it may take a while for him to eat it at first. Also, make sure you feed often and enough. Other than that I don't know how you would discourage the behavior. These guys are natural pickers so it is kind of just something that they do.

Potters do tend to be reserved, so I think it is pretty normal for more aggressive and established fish to be higher in the pecking order and chase him off of food, even with little effort. As long as he stays healthy and not too thin, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Xaiv]

Yeah I feed nori 3 times a week. Do you think I should start feeding a continuous supply of it? I'm worried how this will affect the water parameters as well as causing too much growth from the other fish. (I have a 5 1/2" tang that I don't want to outgrow my tank too quickly.) The potter's angel actually picks at it quite a lot even when the other fish are there. One of my XL turbo's did end up dying from him unfortunately. I'm really worried about my conch now because he's not coming out anymore, but like you said he might just start running around at night. I really appreciate all the info!

 

[TellyFish]

I agree that the problem could be grazing space. My potter grazes off just about everything in the tank, but there are far more interesting things beside snails. Or maybe I just don't notice him bothering them?

Nori could be a good solution if algae is scarce in the display.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Once in a blue moon I will notice my Potter's doing that, but from watching him I think it is more out of curiosity then anything.