Angel opinions and questions

Paxthemax · Jan 22, 2018

I'm looking to get a dwarf angel for my reef tank. 75gal, 60lbs LR and LPS corals.

I know no angel is completely reef safe but I'm looking for the most reef safe. In past experiences I've had coral beauty, lemon peel and flame angels. the flame angels are the only ones to not nip at corals.

My wife really wants a potter's angel which the LFS has regularly. Anybody have experience with these? Ive read they can be difficult to keep.

Any other suggestions?

Kmsutows · Jan 22, 2018

Before I got an ich outbreak I had a flame and potter's angel. Neither touched any corals

KMench · Jan 22, 2018

No experience, but they are a very pretty fish! I have a 75G DT also, and am stuck with the same decision. I'm unsure if I want a flame angel or a potters.

eatbreakfast · Jan 23, 2018

They are a little more delicate than flames and coral beauties, particularly when new, but not too bad. They are just as risky with corals as other Centropyge species.

MRRBW · Jan 23, 2018

my potters was a model citizen with my corals, but after 6 months suddenly disappeared. Not sure who got him, but he was fat and doing well.

bhuyett · Jan 23, 2018

Its really about how often you feed to keep them occupied. My Potters, I introduced him to my tank when he was around the 2" mark and he has done well. He is all the time picking at the micro fauna on the rocks. I feed my tank 3 and some times 4 times a day because of my Anthias and my Potters Angel is fat and happy. He has the opportunity to pick at my Acans, Zoas and SPS, and I guess they don't interest him. He will stop and look at the SPS and just keeps swimming.

eatbreakfast · Jan 24, 2018

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/potters-go-bye-bye.335677/

Paxthemax · Jan 28, 2018

Thank you everyone for your opinions. Mid Feb I will be picking up a tang then I'll be getting the angel in mid March. I think I'll take a chance with the potters, I really like the colors and the whole "happy wife happy life" thing.

Daniel@R2R · Jan 29, 2018

Yeah. I think all dwarf angels are hit and miss. It just depends on the specimen

Greybeard · Jan 29, 2018

Just wanted to add that there are 'reef safe' angels... A 75 would be a bit small for these larger species, but Genicanthus angels (Lamarcks, Wantanabei, Spotbreast, Bellus) are generally considered 'reef safe'. They don't have the colors of some of the other Angels, but they're still beautiful fishes.

I'll be adding a pair of Lamarcks or Wantanabei to my system sometime this spring/summer.

pcon · Jan 29, 2018

I would recommend flipping that order, The Tang will see the angel as a threat to its grazing territory. where angels tend not to see tangs as as much of a threat to their territory.
I have a 75 myself and am in the same dilemma, potters are a good fish, they differ from the easier angels as they are more continuous grazers and benefit from food throughout the day. Seen numerous perish in clean tanks with the best maintenance and clean chemistry, microalgae and sponge on all the rocks is a big key with this fish from my experience.