Singapore Angel

[fender4string]

I'm in the process (as some of you already might know from reading my prior posts) of researching and trying to save up money for a 180g FOWLR tank. One of the fish that caught my eye was the singapore angel. I was wondering if anyone has had first hand experience with this fish and could tell me a little about it's personality. From what I've heard about angels they are fairly "tough" with aggressive species of fish. Any other species of angel I should consider? Can you house several species of angel in the same tank?

Here's what I'm planning to house it with:
Picasso trigger
Blue or kole tang
Harlequin tusk
Another species of wrasse (?)
one spot foxface
snowflake eel (or maybe another species)

Any comments on my planned list would be greatly appreciated also-especially those about compatability and bioload

Thanks alot!

 

[agreeive?fish]

I dont know fore sure (no hands on experience here) but i have heard they are difficult at times to get them eating

 

[fender4string]

thats something-more than I knew anyway. This doesn't seem to be a popular species as I've only ever seen it on Live Aquaria and have never heard it mentioned here on the forums. I haven't by any means done exhaustive research on it yet but came to the forum first as a starting point.......so anyway thank you and I'll keep waiting for more posts

 

[fender4string]

if it helps, this fish is also know as the vermiculated angel

 

[agreeive?fish]

i actualy want one myself but i want a few other high dollar angels first

 

[fender4string]

do you have any other species recommendations? As long as they aren't too too expensive

 

[agreeive?fish]

Well thats kinda hard to say since the singapore has the body shape/coloration that is more closly to butterflys than angels any recomendations are going to be way diffrent in appearence you might look at blue zoo aquatics and marine center they show lots of diffrent angels even if they donot currently have them instock... i would say that with your tank and stock list 90% + of the angels could go in your tank(not all of them in your tank at once though) if you find one you like... some sites concider sinapores as drawfs and some call them klarge angels

 

[LisaD]

I believe there is an angelfish that resembles the singapore angel but is much hardier. I don't have my Scott Michael Angel and Butterfly book handy while at work, but try searcing "cream angel".

Here's a link to a picture and description from themarinecenter:

http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/angelfish/creamangel/

For comparison, the Singapore angel:

http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/angelfish/singaporeangel/

There was a time when I was looking at Singapore angels, and during the course of my research, decided the cream angel would be a better choice.

BTW, the links were for information only - themarinecenter is not currently shipping fish.

 

[saltyESQ]

If you decide on the Singapore angel, unless you want a challenge, make sure he is eating at the fish shop (DO NOT BUY ONE ONLINE).
Otherwise, he is by far the best $20 fish you can buy. I really get a lot of enjoyment looking at my Singapore.

As for getting along with other angels and butterfly's, there is some bickering. I have a Flagfin, Singapore, Regal and a Pearscale butterfly and they all will give a little chase to each other.

 

[fender4string]

thanks for the buying advice on the fish. Also thanks for pointing out the cream angel-that's a fish i'll have to look into. One last question, as for them being challenging fish to keep, what's challenging? Are they prone to disease or is it difficult to get them to feed?

 

[saltyESQ]

The only challenge is if he doesn't eat. Mine didn't eat, but a buddy on RC took him in for me and he know eats like a pig.

If you get one that is eating, then this fish so far has been pretty easy going.

 

[nodak]

I have one in a tank with a CB and a koran with no problems. He ate from day one. I feed them formula 2 marine pellets, frozen angel food and butterfly food, and mysis shrimp. Growing and is nice and fat.l

 

[fender4string]

and one last last question until something else occurs to me The angel should do alright in a semi-aggressive/aggressive tank setting right? What order should i add the angel?

Again, what I want to put in the tank:
Picasso trigger
Blue or kole tang
Harlequin tusk
Another species of wrasse (?)
one spot foxface
snowflake eel (or maybe another species)

 

[mcbaes72]

I've had my S.A. since Feb and it took her (I'm assuming she's female since it's my wife's fish) about two weeks to eat flakes and frozen foods. She even ignored the algae on the clip, too. But then, one day, she started eating like there was no tomorrow and it was Form 1 & 2 flakes only (I ran out of frozen mysis at the time).

As for hanging in an aggressive tank. My cousin had a S.A. in a tank w/ a Clown Trigger, Snowflake Eel and a Niger Trigger. Although the S.A. was the smallest fish in there, no one bothered her. And when he converted to a reef, he never complained about her nipping at any of his corals (only fish he kept when transferring over). Edit: I just remembered that she did nip at feather dusters though, wouldn't leave them alone.

So, at the beginning...yes, a S.A. may not eat right away, but they will when they're ready. Someone else mentioned that it's a good idea to see if she eats at the LFS before buying. That's a good general rule for all fish. Just ask what they were feeding her and duplicate that, then slowly try other foods if you desire...that's what I did. I added Krill to the menu and they adjust to the new food source along w/ flakes and frozen mysis.

 

[fender4string]

ok thanks alot everyone. the info was definitely helpful and now I'm not nearly as concerned as I was about it being a difficult fish to keep.