Reef Safe Angels and other fish

[EvilMel]

Hi guys,
We had a discussion about other goby-friendly fish that I could put into my tank (especially ones that might hang out in the water column).

Randy, Donny, Matt and I were talking about angels. You guys said that some of them are reef safe and goby-friendly. What were the names of those?

Anyone else have any other suggestions about goby/coral-safe fish? Keeping in mind I don't want anything that will be remotely aggressive because I want to maintain my peaceful environment and will do so even if it means I don't add any more fish! hah hah.

 

[ct_vol]

Well, the Genicanthus Angels are completely reef safe... They only eat from the water column... The most popular are the Lamark, Japanese Swallowtail and Wantanabei's... But the Bellus is an awesome one as well...

The others we talked about were the Centropyge and other Dwarf Angels... They are hit and miss... I have a Multicolor and a Flame that are awesome and model reef citizens... My Singapore has been banished to the QT though...

Oh and I've also read that the Regal Angel (Pygoplites diacanthus) are reef safe... They're gorgeous and I wouldn't mind getting one... I saw one in a reef tank at Premium Aquatics...

LMK if you decide to order online... I might get a fish or two... Hope this helps...

 

[hawkeye31657]

this is a great subject that I think we all will have info to add I am glad to see we are doing something that will teach us all about reef safe fish thanks Mel and Randy I will also wanting to add some frendly fish also when I get the 1365 up and running

 

[Fishboy42]

That's a BIG tank Larry! May I suggest some friendly sharks and a tang or six This time you left the door open for it!

Mel, you could also look at the Flasher/Fairy wrasses. They are reefsafe and usually stay up in the tank during the day. I've only had one myself a long time ago. To me they would seem a good substitute for anthias, as they aren't quite as delicate, although I think they still need fairly frequent feeding (I'm guessing once per day would be enough, especially in a large tank). I think Mel will need to finish the canopy before trying these though.

Another one to think about might be the dartfishes. They sleep in a burrow or protected place at night, but they usually stay up in the water during the daytime. I had a pair (purple) that lived in a 55 for a couple of years before the fire, and I had a couple of orange ones and scissortails in the batfish tank before he got big and ate them all One feeding per day is good for them, and I've never heard of them bing extremely agressive or eating smaller fish. These are known jumpers as well, so you may want to consider some kind of protection (like a canopy!) to keep them in the tank.

I think vol_reefer (Jeff) has a Regal Angel, but I don't know if it bothers his corals or not. I have a halfmoon angel (P. maculosus) in my 58 reef, and it eats corals, but I have my priorities

Oh yeah, and clownfish. If Mel gets a canopy that is...

I agree this is a good discussion to help Mel and hopefully others too.

Matt

ps: canopy

 

[hawkeye31657]

that would be two slammers for Matt and nun for us guys good one Matt and yes it would be nice to see the hood I helped build used at some point and correction 135 gallon tank Matt

 

[cee]

s

 

[Fishboy42]

Do you have tilefish Dave? Very cool! Do you have any good info on these? I've read that they've spawned in captivity, but haven't been able to confirm it.

I've seen these on reefs that looked to be a foot long constructing fairly large burrows, so I guess staying with the smaller species would be a good idea? (of course those of the eating variety are in the same family, but I'm not speaking of those!) I've never kept them but read that they are delicate.

RK Mag Tilefish article:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/hcs3/index.php

And thanks for puttin' up with me Hawkeye

 

[cee]

I kept them when I lived in Dallas for about 2 years before I had to move and never had any problems. They can be touchy, however, and hence I edited my post (plus probably wouldn't do too well with Mel's big arse tang). They are quite "reef friendly" and didn't seem to bother my other fish at the time, but they were expensive back then and quite hard to come by.

Dave

 

[fishdoc11]

Unfortunately no angels are 100% reef safe. The Genicanthus are the least likely to pick at anything because, as stated, they are zooplankton feeders and are usually good choices. However I have seen several reports where they eventually picked on corals. The other problem with the more desirable Genicanthus species is it is hard to get healthy specimens due to the depth they are generally collected at. I had a bellus I lost in the move that I nursed with a mysterious illnes for ~ 6 months. Everyone else who bought those fish at the time(5 or 6 people in MTRC) from the same source lost them in a couple of months.
That said I have been looking for a watanabei for quite some time if anyone knows where to get one...I guess I never learn

The fairy wrasses are some very nice fish IMO but be carefull. The larger ones will tend to get belligerant after a while. Flasher wrasses would be a really cool looking and behaving group of fish to explore and they are generally very peacefull.

I have volumes 1, 2 and 3 of Michael's Reef Fishes if you would like to borrow them for your fish research. I could bring them to school and drop them off if you would like.

Chris

 

[ocd_mariner]

I think when putting angels in your reef, its a cross your fingers and pray real hard kind of thing.

I've got a juvy emperor and he hasn't touched a thing. Lucky so far.

 

[Angela Short]

I love flame angels! They are so colorfull and I have read where you can actually pair them if done right. Nice vibrent splash of color.


If he doesn't eat your corals.... I have one curently wasting away I wish would eat my corals . A flame must not be in the cards for me.

 

[EvilMel]

Wow...that's the kind of response I was hoping for! We apparently need more threads like this...so get off your as* Larry and start posting them!

Ok Randy...I'm going to order something pretty soon and I will let you know when I do! I will also check out those fish you suggested.

Matt...yeah yeah...I know I know...want to come help me this weekend? Actually I think we can do it, it's just more actually getting the time to make modifications. I am going to see about doing it this week though. I'll check out those fish you recommend...I love the dartfish as well. I was planning on getting a purple one (wasn't thinking of two because I didn't know if they switched sexes and I know they can be aggressive to each other in groups).

Larry...yeah yeah you too. I know...get the hood up. If anyone should nag me about it...it should be Art. I nagged him to get it to me...so he is the only one who gets to complain about it not being up there (him and Brent of course).

Dave...are tilefish safe with cleaner shrimp?

Chris...so I am concerned that not all specimens of these angels are reef safe. I don't want to have to fish any of them out of there. If I see one of those you are talking about available, I will totally let you know. As far as reading reef books goes...thanks a ton for the offer...but I pretty much don't read reef books. I never have (except for a few pages in the beginning) and I pretty much never will. hah hah. These guys always laugh at me about it.

OCD...yeah I'm concerned about it totally.

Angela...your flame doesn't eat your corals at all?

Any other fish suggestions you guys?

I love the blennies and gobies of course. Everyone knows what a huge goby fan I am.

 

[Angela Short]

No, wish he would so he doesn't die. Wasting away, slowley starving to death no matter what I try. Many people have luck with flames not eating corals. More often not eating them then eating them by far. This is my 2nd flame I have starved to death though so I may not try another . Unless he comes from a established tank.

 

[hawkeye31657]

let me correct you one the building of the hood Mel I also helped build it and I was there when we as in Art and I dropped it off so I think I will just kick it a few more time or till you get it up on the tank :bum: :bum: :bum:

 

[EvilMel]

Yes, but I never nagged you...so you don't get to nag me. See?

I suppose I should get that dang thing up there so I don't have to keep hearin' it. hah hah. Plus then I can get some fish that won't jump out of the tank.

 

[hawkeye31657]

that would only be because I dont have a hood that needs to be put on now do I

 

[EvilMel]

Yeah yeah...you have a whole tank that needs to be put up! I do remember selling that to you a LONG time ago...well before I got my canopy!

 

[hawkeye31657]

I have been waiting for you to use that card you know why that isnt up but i am getting closer hahahaahah to funny mel and is randy hiding on use more than not he would be all over this he must be sick hehehehe

 

[EvilMel]

I had to play that one eventually.

Back to the topic at hand! Any other fish suggestions you guys?

 

[hawkeye31657]

you know mel we have the snow flake eel mel and the wife loves it this thing is like her buddy when she comes close to the tank he is right out there and he seems to be real friendly