Best dwarf angel

[ca1ore]

@ca1ore What’s the secret to keeping a flame in LPS tanks? Just having enough variety so it distributes the nipping? Or not stocking fleshy corals?

No 'secret' really. Fleshy corals are mostly out for me .... not so much because of the flame, but because of the larger angels (asfur, emperor, regal .... take your pick). I have had my angels decide to pick on an euphyllia, then you just have to remove it to someplace where, hopefully, they'll forget about it so you can eventually put it back in. Mostly its because my tank is very large, the fish well fed, and more SPS than LPS.

 

[Noah Hemingway]

Hi Noah, I have a Coral Beauty and an Eibli (aka Red Stripe) Angel in my 90 g setup of softies and LPS. The CB touches nothing over almost 4 years, the Eibli added in December nips very rarely at Kenya Tree, thats it.
I like both fish immensely, but am partial to the colour markings on Eibli. IMO each fish has its own 'personality' but I've had very good luck with these two.

How do they get along?

 

[Biokabe]

No technically dwarf, but genus Genicanthus (Bellus, Watanabe, etc.) is awesome and reef safe. Smaller than standard angels, too.

With a 120g tank, I think Genicanthus angels would be just past the cusp of acceptable, IMO, and I'd personally feel more comfortable with a Genicanthus than a Centropyge.

 

[CanuckReefer]

How do they get along?

First 2 days were ROUGH. Now they are best of friends over last 3 months lol. Eibli I think you'd be looking at around 60-70 bucks? CB less, maybe 50?

 

[rmay6850]

This demands pictures of these 3 beauties.... agreed, I roll the dice a bit with Angels , because they are a beautiful fish many of them. The damage in my case is next to nothing. Of course there is that one rogue lol....

This demands pictures of these 3 beauties.... agreed, I roll the dice a bit with Angels , because they are a beautiful fish many of them. The damage in my case is next to nothing. Of course there is that one rogue lol....

One to follow, lights are out now

 

[CanuckReefer]

One to follow, lights are out now

Gem Tang too? Nice....

 

[Squidward]

I like Potters.

 

[ReefEco]

Love Potters - I haven't seen any since the Hawaii ban went into effect, anyone know where to source them? Coral Beauty gets my vote too, and I wonder if the aquacultured ones would be less prone to pick at corals since I assume they've been raised on pellet. Then again, I was denied ice cream and other sweets as a child and now I LOVE ice cream and eat way too much of it, LOL, so...

 

[JCTReefer]

One to follow, lights are out now

Okay, I might be just a wee bit jelly!!!! Lol!!!
Gorgeous interruptus!!!!

 

[JCTReefer]

I wonder if the aquacultured ones would be less prone to pick at corals since I assume they've been raised on pellet.

I’ve always wondered the same thing. Would captive bred Or aquacultured be less likely to pick on things.
You can take the lion out of Africa, but can you take the Africa out of the lion. Hmmm.

 

[SaltISlife]

I have 3 in my 135 gallon tank 6ft. Potter angel and flame angel and a rusty angel.

The only ine i almost lost was my lotters as he wouldnt eat for weeks but then he started eating and gained weight and ive had all 3 for along time now.

They havent messed with any corals

 

[ReefEco]

I’ve always wondered the same thing. Would captive bred Or aquacultured be less likely to pick on things.
You can take the lion out of Africa, but can you take the Africa out of the lion. Hmmm.

Totally agree, nature vs. nurture thing. Wonder what is hard wired vs. learned behavior. Ice Cream is definitely hard wired though. No doubt.

 

[JCTReefer]

Ice Cream is definitely hard wired though. No doubt.

I second this. Ice cream is for sure hardwired!!!!

 

[LeahAnn]

I am currently in the process of planning the stock list for my new 5 foot 120G reef tank. I want to add a dwarf angel of some kind - I know it’s a risk but what do you all think is the “most reef safe” dwarf angel? I think they’re all beautiful so I don’t mind which. Of course the flame angel is my favourite, however I do have a soft spot for coral beauties & i also think cherubs are pretty beautiful. What do you reckon is my best bet? Any insight is greatly appreciated

Coral Beauty, dosial and beautiful

 

[LeahAnn]

I am currently in the process of planning the stock list for my new 5 foot 120G reef tank. I want to add a dwarf angel of some kind - I know it’s a risk but what do you all think is the “most reef safe” dwarf angel? I think they’re all beautiful so I don’t mind which. Of course the flame angel is my favourite, however I do have a soft spot for coral beauties & i also think cherubs are pretty beautiful. What do you reckon is my best bet? Any insight is greatly appreciated

Coral beauty, never bothers my corals and gets slong well eith everyone else. They are beautiful purple and orange stripes.

 

[Arringar]

My experience with dwarf angels over many years has told me they always pick at something, even if it doesn’t happen for a very long time. I’ve had some that didn’t touch a coral for years after putting them in the tank, then one day they decide a particular coral looks tasty and they really go after it.

It’s really more about what you’re willing to put up with than it is about whether it will nip at something. Personally I can’t resist them so I work around it. The smaller the fish, the lesser the damage. I’m partial to the African Flameback Angel. Gorgeous little fish, lots of personality.

The other issue, and frankly the bigger issue in my book, is the aggression and territorial nature of most species of dwarf angels. Sometimes you end up with a model citizen, but many of them can be real jerk fish. Don’t overlook this when making a decision.

 

[ca1ore]

Totally agree, nature vs. nurture thing. Wonder what is hard wired vs. learned behavior. Ice Cream is definitely hard wired though. No doubt.

It’s an interesting question (the fish thing not the ice cream thing). My guess/gut tells me it’s more likely wishful thinking than reality, but none of my angels have been CB. Nutritional requirements are still the same.

 

[ReefEco]

True - it would be interesting to do some comparison with wild vs. aquacultured of the same species. Tank raised mandarins for example will eat prepared foods, but will certainly still hunt pods...

 

[McPuff]

Several years ago I had an Eibli and it was a terrific fish. I tried to add a flame angel and he attacked the fish mercilessly for about an hour. Anyway, it wasn't successful despite the tank being a 150 loaded with rocks.

I'm tempted to try another pygmy but probably just one in the 300. No LPS in there so I'm not too worried about nipping. Potters or multibar would be among my top choices but neither would be easy to take through QT. Curious to know what others have done with these fish. I have seen many people say "don't bother QT with multibar" but I just don't think I can do that.

 

[JCTReefer]

It’s an interesting question (the fish thing not the ice cream thing). My guess/gut tells me it’s more likely wishful thinking than reality, but none of my angels have been CB. Nutritional requirements are still the same.

You’re likely right on wishful thinking. I purchased my first ever captive bred YT. I’ve been observing it for the last month in quarantine. It’s behaviors/mannerisms are identical to every wild caught YT I’ve ever had. Not sure you can change thousands of years of genetics.