Singapore Angels in Reefs?

[falconut]

Has anybody ever kept a Singapore Angel, (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus, Vermiculated Angelfish)? Has anybody been able to keep one long term? Was it in a reef? Did you notice any coral nipping?

They list here that they can be kept in a reef tank:

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/mari...ontoplus-mesoleucus-fish--angels--large-.html

I would feel more comfortable with somebody's own experience if possible.

Thanks.

 

[sean48183]

Can't help you there but that angel really does look just like a butterfly. I've never even seen that angel before. Pretty cool and not very expensive. Hope somebody else can add something useful.

 

[falconut]

BMP

 

[KingSpade]

im not trying to talk you out of getting one or anything but i had one and saw it probly 3 times the whole time he was in my tank, they are very shy and rarely ever come out. as far as them being reef safe i couldnt tell you

 

[falconut]

Doesn't anybody have any experience with them? I figure somebody must have tried them, since I see them at the LFS very often.

 

[trueperc]

Well I am about to try to put one in a reef, mostly sps tank with a few leather, RBTA, clam and mushrooms. From the few I have seen lately, some are very skidish, some are okay, definitely make sure its eating before buying. But I believe its like more angels, if you have LPS or ZOOs then you are asking for trouble as these seems to be the corals if any angel is going to eat then it will be these types.

 

[schwebb]

I tried one. It was very shy and never ate. It didn't make it. I tried all kinds of food but noe even interested in it. I'd pass.

 

[dirtyreefer]

I had one, got it eating fine but picked at all my "meaty" LPS and some SPS polyps. Not the best choice for a reef fish.

 

[Angel*Fish]

I have had one for a month - What I've read is that with age they are likely to be much less reef safe

Mine nipped at my clams at first then I removed them, then i put them back & he's ignored them, perhaps because they aren't healthy anymore

He hasn't bothered anything else including the brain, but the only SPS I have is montipora. He has eyed my 3 euphyllias with an odd expression, but has not touched. They are supposedly found swimming around Euphylias in the wild & have been seen to nibble. Perhaps he is hoping to fatten them up first

Mine is not very shy at all -- the reason i bought him against my better judgement was at the fish store he swam (swam?) up to my face & said "Take me home - I'm so adorable" He feeds directly from the turkey baster. i think they are slower to acclimate & it can be hard to find a healthy one - I let him live in my macroladen refugium for the first week & I think that helped him adjust a lot.