Unfortunately, some angels initially ignore corals and wake up one day and Eureka, they have a taste for them. But it depends on which angels and which corals. Other than Genicanthus, they are not considered Reef Safe.
I have had my current coral beauty for 2.5years, hasn't touched a thing. I had another one before it (in a different tank) which was also a model citizen.
As snorvich said about the only truly reef safe angel is the Genicanthus melanospilos, aka swallowtail or spot breast angel. Beyond that there are stories of great success and then those of utter disaster.
I've never had a problem with any Genicanthus (swallowtails, Lamarcks, Bellus) and no problem with present Dwarfs (8yr old Coral Beauty, 4 flames, 2 Multifasciatus). At one point my 3yr old Regal was a suspect in disappearance of some zoas... But none have been touched in past 5 months
It is a 450g mixed reef DT with over 70 fish and I feed at least 3x a day.
I have a Watanabei female that is a model citizen and a beautiful addition to my tank. I also had a Flameback (that by many people experience is one of the most reef safe dwarf angesl). The Flameback was fine for about 3 months when it suddenly went ape crazy and started eating duncans and acans. It also started muching on my pocilliporas but I caught him before he did permanent harm.
Had a Coral Beauty for 10 years that was a model citizen. Then the Flame angel about 2 months in started eating all my high dollar Zoas. Fish trap and gone in under 60 seconds.
Had an eibli dwarf angelfor over two years in a 55 reef with no problems. I moved him to more spacious quarters in a 180 gallon reef where he proceeded to take out one open brain after another. Go figure. Problem is, as always, getting him out once he is in.
I find the dwarf angels to be extremely unpredictable. If you are looking at large angel species, it's fairly easy to build a relatively "angel-safe" reef that will give you the best chance for success.
It's the luck of the draw. I currently have a majestic, gold flake, and regal in my SPS tank and they have never touched anything. I have also had a french and queen in previous tanks.
On the other hand I had a flame back and it picked at everything.
Also depends on what corals you have. Zoas and fleshy LPS could be tasty to them.
Ken
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