Angler tank mates

[Stubaca]

Do you run a refugium? If so maybe keep him in there!

 

[rosieosieee]

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.

maybe years down the road, but sadly I've NEVER seen an adult reaching that size.

the angler won't try just because it's twice its size? no. I added a XL blood shrimp (body size about 3.5", antenna size about 4.5") with my 2" angler for laughs. he devoured it whole, no problem, no hesitation.

about eating face first: no. I had a tiny 1.5" angler. I had a lemon damsel that was less than an inch working on my flat worms. when he was done I threw him in for the angler. an hour later I found them both dead. the angler had attempted to eat him, but swallowed him sideways. I found the damsel sideways half out of the anglers mouth and almost bent in half, and the angler dead.

further, my rhinopias (although a different species, same eating habits) will go at live fish or frozen silversides backwards, sideways, from the front, etc. he took a large silverside sideways one time and I was actually worried for a bit but he got it down safely.

why risk it? OP has already sacrificed the lives of multiple fish trying it out, now you want he/she to risk the anglers life if they don't put a big enough lion in?

what if the lion is 6" and the angler is 2"? you don't think the lion won't eat the angler? lol.

they're playing with fire here. just leave the thing in a species only tank like it should be, or take it back to the store if you want a tank full of fish.

 

[jake.harry.3]

I just have a sump setup under the tank. Ive considered selling the angler, but no idea what hes actually worth or if I could even find anyone that would want him. I got him cheap and the store I got him through assured me he wouldnt mess with my flame angel who was a lot bigger. Clearly they were wrong.

 

[rosieosieee]

I just have a sump setup under the tank. Ive considered selling the angler, but no idea what hes actually worth or if I could even find anyone that would want him. I got him cheap and the store I got him through assured me he wouldnt mess with my flame angel who was a lot bigger. Clearly they were wrong.

I'm sure he'd be happy in your sump as long as there's a light for you to see him!

 

[philfree]

maybe years down the road, but sadly I've NEVER seen an adult reaching that size.

the angler won't try just because it's twice its size? no. I added a XL blood shrimp (body size about 3.5", antenna size about 4.5") with my 2" angler for laughs. he devoured it whole, no problem, no hesitation.

about eating face first: no. I had a tiny 1.5" angler. I had a lemon damsel that was less than an inch working on my flat worms. when he was done I threw him in for the angler. an hour later I found them both dead. the angler had attempted to eat him, but swallowed him sideways. I found the damsel sideways half out of the anglers mouth and almost bent in half, and the angler dead.

further, my rhinopias (although a different species, same eating habits) will go at live fish or frozen silversides backwards, sideways, from the front, etc. he took a large silverside sideways one time and I was actually worried for a bit but he got it down safely.

why risk it? OP has already sacrificed the lives of multiple fish trying it out, now you want he/she to risk the anglers life if they don't put a big enough lion in?

what if the lion is 6" and the angler is 2"? you don't think the lion won't eat the angler? lol.

they're playing with fire here. just leave the thing in a species only tank like it should be, or take it back to the store if you want a tank full of fish.

yup!
agreed.
+1

 

[jake.harry.3]

The only light I have is the light above. I can open the door and outside light gets in. I do have a return pump in the biggest side so feeding wouldnt be easy.

 

[eatbreakfast]

maybe years down the road, but sadly I've NEVER seen an adult reaching that size.

the angler won't try just because it's twice its size? no. I added a XL blood shrimp (body size about 3.5", antenna size about 4.5") with my 2" angler for laughs. he devoured it whole, no problem, no hesitation.

about eating face first: no. I had a tiny 1.5" angler. I had a lemon damsel that was less than an inch working on my flat worms. when he was done I threw him in for the angler. an hour later I found them both dead. the angler had attempted to eat him, but swallowed him sideways. I found the damsel sideways half out of the anglers mouth and almost bent in half, and the angler dead.

further, my rhinopias (although a different species, same eating habits) will go at live fish or frozen silversides backwards, sideways, from the front, etc. he took a large silverside sideways one time and I was actually worried for a bit but he got it down safely.

why risk it? OP has already sacrificed the lives of multiple fish trying it out, now you want he/she to risk the anglers life if they don't put a big enough lion in?

what if the lion is 6" and the angler is 2"? you don't think the lion won't eat the angler? lol.

they're playing with fire here. just leave the thing in a species only tank like it should be, or take it back to the store if you want a tank full of fish.

That's actually kind of sad you have never seen a dwarf lion reach full size. I have seen fuzzy dwarfs double in size in about a years time, reaching full adult size relatively quickly.

Also I don't think a lion would try to eat an angler. They don't have the characteristics that a lion is looking for. You don't see lions trying to gulp down 2" rocks do you?

I have seen an angler eat a lion on a couple of occasions, both times it got the lion down without issue.

 

[rosieosieee]

That's actually kind of sad you have never seen a dwarf lion reach full size. I have seen fuzzy dwarfs double in size in about a years time, reaching full adult size relatively quickly.

Also I don't think a lion would try to eat an angler. They don't have the characteristics that a lion is looking for. You don't see lions trying to gulp down 2" rocks do you?

I have seen an angler eat a lion on a couple of occasions, both times it got the lion down without issue.

I've never owned a dwarf (currently only have a volitan), so what I see is only what I see in stores and in friends tanks unfortunately.

no, but every lion fish is not born equally, hah. some, obviously, are almost impossible to get to eat, others (mine!) attacks anything that moves the slightest (i.e emerald crab walking along, drip of water running down the side of the tank, finger pressed against the tank).

I thought I saw a thread here that was a 55g or 75g predator tank with a couple dwarf species and I thought an angler. don't quote me here. if I'm right, it would be a good thread to check out and see how they're doing together. that's a bit larger tank than they have but OP could check it out and ask some questions there.

 

[jake.harry.3]

Problem is it was a larger tank. Im limited to certain fish due to tank size.

 

[Scorson]

I had an orange angler for 4 years. Only successful tank mates were starfish, urchins, snails, hermits, and a few VERY fast porcelain crabs. Totally worth it though. My favorite fish I've ever owned in about 13 yrs in the hobby.

 

[jake.harry.3]

I love the angler itself. If i had the extra money i would build a small tank 15-20 gallon just for him.

 

[Scorson]

That's exactly what I had. 20 gallon long reef tank. He was the only fish.

 

[jake.harry.3]

I may try and pick up something cheap. I looked at the pre made packages, but dont know what wont work with saltwater.

 

[Scorson]

When I first got him he was as about an inch long and I had him in a 6 gal nano and he did fine, just be prepared to get a larger tank in a few months. With regular feedings they'll get big quick. All totally worth it though!