The Angel Experiment

D

drbronx

Premium Member
So most of you know, I have been setting up a new 90 gallon display. That has now been completed (I'll try and post pics soon). As mentioned in a previous thread, Nate and I have had discussions in the past regarding his theories of Angelfish inhibiting coral polyp extension due to their habit of nipping at corals even if not frequently observed to due so. I decided to take the opportunity of the new tank to test this theory and I have not transferred my beautiful bicolor angel to the new display. By the way if anyone would like him, he is yours free of charge. Otherwise he goes back to the LFS.
So far the data appears promising. . Most notably, the gorgonians have incredible polyp extension which I have never seen before. As far as sps, it is as yet too early to tell since the tank is so immature, i would not expect to see good PE as yet. Time will tell on that. However, as much as I liked the angel, I am willing to keep him out of the display, since I believe the corals will be happier without him. I will bee sorry to see him go.
 
Very interesting. I love reading things like this... real world testing of various theories. The one question I have about almost any reef theory is this:

With SOOO many factors contributing to coral health (or at least we we perceive to be coral health), how telling do you think your results will be?
 
I remember Nate's post saying he would peek around the corner or sneak in to see if his was nipping. That was to funny LMAO
 
Great! St. James has expressed an interest in the angel. I am very happy that it will have a good home.
Jackson, your point is very well taken. My little "experiment" can hardly be construed as having any scientific merit. There are no controls to the many potential threats to internal validity such that this can be viewed as only anecdotal evidence. However, having said that, it is also fairly compelling since as far as I can tell, the tank is the same set up as the former display when the angel was in the tank. The gorgonia would only develop occasional PE and it was never for prolonged periods. Immediately upon establishing the new tank, the gorgonia developed pronounced and almost constant PE. It's almost like they "knew" (sorry to anthropomorphize) that the angel was gone. Could it be that this is do to some small change in chemistry, flow, placement etc. etc etc.....absolutely. But it is nonetheless interesting enough a finding that I am wiling to relinquish one of my fave fish. Further, I think I may have found a cure for my "PE envy":)
Now certainly others keep angels in coral displays. I'd love to hear from them. For example Gary M. has a huge beautiful Emperor Angel. I believe he feeds his tank multiple times throughout the day which is of course desirable if one's tank is set up for large nutritional infusions. Those multiple feedings may help stave off the fish from nipping at corals. I am only able to feed at night. I have never felt that the angel's presence was a threat to the health of any of my corals. PE or no PE, I don't see an impact on coral health or growth. But I always did envy nate Rogers incredible coral PE and became curious to see how/if it were possible to replicate the conditions. My tanks and his evolved in much the same way except I always had dwarf angels. So we'll see.
Back to Jackson's point... Many people in this hobby do make claims based based on uncontrolled anecdotal evidence. We should all be cautioned to limit our assumptions and conclusions until and unless true experimental controls have been implemented. I am a reviewer for a major psychiatric journal (which I'd rather not name). You'd be amazed at the absolute crap that gets submitted by researchers. Fortunately, in this particular journal, that stuff seldom reaches print. But many other journals have much less rigorous standards and so you can almost always find a place to publish a manuscript which then gets passed off as "science". So great point Jackson!
 
I had a Navarchus angel for years it wasn't until the last year that I had it began to pick at my lps and sps. previous to that it would clean out the aiptasia and sponges that grow in my system and it worked over any algae it could find as well as what I fed the tank.
It was "out of the Blue " that the angel started to nip at my corals, which quickly got her a new home in a fish only tank.
The only angel I had previous to this one that was a problem was a potter dwarf angel that settled into the tank and almost immediately began to eat his fill on the borgasmord which was all around him. Most of the fish we put in our tanks are some what of a gamble,IMO.. my 2 cents
 
I too had a Bi-Color in my mixed reef for about a year or so, and it seemed fine for the first few months. After a bit it started picking at my kenya tree, which I didn't mind cause they grow like weeks, but then it took out my Anthellia, then started chewing my Acans and Palys, then Green Nepthea. Stupid fish made those corals very NOT happy. Just be warry because even if they seem fine they still may turn. My best luck was with a False Lemonpeel. I had one for over 1.5 years and it never nipped at a coral.
 
Anything in those psychiatric journals about reef keepers? OCD?? Paranoia??? Delusions of Grandeur??? Locked In Syndrome???
 
Just a thought but wouldn't having removed the bi-color from the origional tank and leaving the corals where they were have been a more telling and acurate measure of your results?

For some reason my mind keeps telling me that it has heard that gorgonians are a favorite treat for angels but my mind does have a mind of it's own sometimes LOL. Anyone else ever hear this or should I tell my mind to shut up.
 
False Lemonpeel is just like the Lemonpeel but all yellow instead of the blue eye and spot behind the eye. Same size and everything.
 
Excellent armchair diagnoses Captain! I believe all the above apply as well as some others. I believe you can say we are "just plain nuts". :spin1:

I guess we can say about angels, take your chances. Or in the words of Clint Eastwood...."Do you feel lucky, punk"?

Polyp extension in my current display after one week continues to be excellent. My PE envy is cured.
 
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