Angler tank mates

[jake.harry.3]

I have an angler in my tank who seems to eat literally everything he can. So far I am down a large clown and a dwarf flame angel(who was his size maybe a little bigger).

The tank is a 40 breeder. What can i put in there that he won't eat? I have a yellow watchman goby with a pistol shrimp, but they are vwry good at hiding from the angler.

 

[eatbreakfast]

It would have to be something significantly bigger than him, anglers can eat fish approximately 25% bigger than themselves.

 

[jake.harry.3]

I wouldn't even know where to start. Everything ive looked at that is bigger takes 75 gallon plus.

 

[gmastr85]

What kind of angler?

 

[jake.harry.3]

I am thinking wart skin, but not sure. Didn't know much when I got it.

 

[gmastr85]

Very cool fish but I'm afraid you may have trouble keeping other fish with him...

 

[XocyrusX]

I have one 2 and sad to say I wouldn't try anything unless you like feeding him expensive food. Cool guy looking angler you got there. Here's mine...

 

[ou12004]

How about a dwarf Lion Fish? Not sure if they can go into a 40 but with the fins it may not eat it

 

[philfree]

i have a 1.5" yellow tail damsel in with my 3.25" wartskin. Hasnt even tried to eat it, and shows no interest in it as food. I put in there to be a meal, but no luck so far. Not saying a damsel is safe, but, hey you never know. Depends on the angler i suppose. But, yea its in their nature to be able to eat things larger than themselves.

 

[philfree]

How about a dwarf Lion Fish? Not sure if they can go into a 40 but with the fins it may not eat it

It will still try, even with poison fins. Might end up injuring, or worse killing, itself in the process.

 

[XocyrusX]

Is yours eating frozen food or still in love?

 

[XocyrusX]

Sorry live is what I meant

 

[eatbreakfast]

How about a dwarf Lion Fish? Not sure if they can go into a 40 but with the fins it may not eat it

If it is big enough not to be eaten it will be fine, but anglers are more than capable of eating lionfish.

i have a 1.5" yellow tail damsel in with my 3.25" wartskin. Hasnt even tried to eat it, and shows no interest in it as food. I put in there to be a meal, but no luck so far. Not saying a damsel is safe, but, hey you never know. Depends on the angler i suppose. But, yea its in their nature to be able to eat things larger than themselves.

Damsels are feisty and more than capable of avoiding predation. An angler will eat them if it can catch them, but often isn't able, but will if the opportunity presents itself. At least damsels aren't expensive.

 

[jake.harry.3]

He is eating freeze dried shrimp currently, but hasnt had much appetite for the past 2 days. Must be the flame angel still digesting.

 

[philfree]

i still cant get mine to eat frozen. Only live food. i occasionally throw in 2 peppermint shrimp for him to hunt. But thats getting pricey.

 

[jake.harry.3]

I considered a once a month peppermint shrimp.

 

[rosieosieee]

why are you trying to put other fish with him?? I thought it was pretty well known that anglers need to be in a species only tank. you're just wasting money at this point....

you can add other anglers but anything else that would be suitable would quickly outgrow your tank (scorpion fish, lion fish, other bigger predators etc.)

 

[eatbreakfast]

why are you trying to put other fish with him?? I thought it was pretty well known that anglers need to be in a species only tank. you're just wasting money at this point....

you can add other anglers but anything else that would be suitable would quickly outgrow your tank (scorpion fish, lion fish, other bigger predators etc.)

A full grown dwarf lion should be able to be in a 40 and manage not to be eaten.

 

[rosieosieee]

A full grown dwarf lion should be able to be in a 40 and manage not to be eaten.

agrees that it would be fine in a 40g. disagree that it wouldn't get eaten. as people have stated above, just because they have their spines doesn't mean the angler won't try, and then possibly injure or kill itself. depending on the species, some anglers can get up to 6-7" but most around 4", which is the same size as an adult dwarf.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Adult fuzzy and zebra dwarfs reach over 6". Add it's finnage, and the angler won't even try.

Now, if the lion isn't full grown and small enough to be considered as food, the angler will certainly try, but even so, I wouldn't wory about the spines. Anglers are pretty adept at getting their prey face first and the spines are collapsible that direction.