Wanting to get a Flame Angel

[fliynhi]

I am seriously considering adding a Flame Angel to my tank. My problem is that I am concerned about the possiblity of it being a coral nipper. I just started trying my hand at SPS and so far so good. I don't wanna mess them up. So for those of you out there that have ,or have had, a Flame, or similar genus, how has your luck been with them? If you were successful in keeping them from nipping at the polyps was there anything special you did or was it just luck. Thanks for your help.
Shane

 

[BrunstuckyJoe]

Mine does not nip at coral....but my friend bought one at the same time and it did nip at his....so I guess it's a crap shoot....just have to watch them.....

 

[aerius007]

I just got rid of a Flame Angel because it was picking an open brain coral. Funny thing is, Aquatic Technology had 2 or 3 I saw in different reef tanks throughout the store. But like I said, the only thing mine touched was the brain coral.

 

[fliynhi]

Thats what I've read everywhere. I was just hoping that someone had found a miracle cure or some other way to distract their attention from the polyps. It keeps looking like a 50/50 shot. Thanks for your input.

 

[mike660r]

I'd like to share a rule of thumb that I follow...

Angels can be little devils in a reef tank.

Everytime I see a nice looking angel fish at the LFS or online. That line runs through my head and helps decide not to add one to my reef.

 

[itZme]

Pretty good rule to follow Mike. I know that a friend had to drain an entire 210g tank to get a Lemonpeel angel out that was attacking his corals. The same guy had a Potter's angel that was a terror too.

Someday I swear I am going to have a fish only tank so I can have some of the fish I love that aren't reef safe.

 

[the budman]

i had a flame in my mostly softies tank that didnt bother anything. is it just sps they bother? i have a few lps and it didnt bother them either.

 

[Cove Beach]

I'm walking the tightrope as far as angels go i have had my Potters for nearly 4 yrs and so far no problems other than he is a bully to new fish other than the trigger i put in recently! I agree its a roll of the dice.

 

[Esquare]

From what I've heard, the Flame Back Angel is a better bet for Reef tanks. I've had one for several months with no issues.

 

[pgolnick]

I've had my Flame for about 2 1/2 years and have SPS, LPS and softies in my tank. I think I'm lucky becauce the Flame has never touched a coral (at least nothing major that I've noticed). He is a great fish and doing well in my tank.
Phil

 

[Aadler]

My research has indicated that LPS is the most likely to be eaten, sps will be picked at, but not likely to the point of killing the coral. Clams, or fleshy lps, like an acan or open brain, or similar are likely to end up as food.

I had a lemonpeel that I took out of my reef, but it had never actually killed anything, just picked, the corals were new to my system and I didnt want to risk it. $40 fish or $200 corals... not hard math for me.

 

[fliynhi]

flame angel

flame angel

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14059757#post14059757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aadler
$40 fish or $200 corals... not hard math for me.

I think that quote has pretty much sealed the deal for me. I have a decent bit of LPS that I would like to keep and just starting with SPS so they are small and probably can't take much abuse. I love the coloring of the fish but the numbers just don't add up. Anyone have any other recomendations for a fish of similar colors, but reef safe?