Buying larger Angels

Darth_Kirk · Jul 11, 2020

In my 20 years in the hobby I’ve kept a lot of different Angels, but never Pomacanthus arcuatus (Grey Angel). I’ve always gotten Angels as small juveniles, there is an opportunity to get this Angel online at 6 inches. Just worried that older Angels could be more difficult getting to acclimate to captivity. This is considered a fairly hardy Angel, just wondering from people that have brought in adult angels how that has gone. I don’t get to see the fish, but trust the company to send a healthy fish.

Big G · Jul 11, 2020

nereefpat · Jul 11, 2020

I was going to bump this too.

French and grey angels are so big, that most of us don't have experience here. I haven't seen adults outside of public aquariums.

I would consider a 6" grey to be a juvenile though. Good luck. Who is the vender, btw?

S2G · Jul 11, 2020

I see french all the time at this size in one of the shops I go to. They do great from what I've seen. I wouldnt worry like I would an emporer, queen, or similar. The shop is always trying to get me to buy one.

Feet4Fish · Jul 11, 2020

Typically I get my angels in the 5-7 “ range however I did get a large French. He was 8” when I received him and acclimated seamlessly. Now I got him from a diver in the keys so super short supply chain which I am sure helps a bit. He is now about 10”.

Darth_Kirk · Jul 11, 2020

Thanks for the replies, the vendor is Live Aquaria. They seem to be the only vendor that typically has them. My LFS doesn’t get Caribbean fish very readily.

Years ago I saw about a 20 inch Grey in the shops at Caesars Palace, I’ve wanted one ever since. I lost a really old 13 inch Mac Angel at the end of last year , he would be a good replacement. The tank is square, 5x5x2.5, so about 460 gallons with lots of swimming room.

My qt isn’t up right now, so I need to get to work.

Feet4Fish · Jul 11, 2020

Might want to check with KP Aquatics and Goxy saltwater fish. That is where mine is from

Darth_Kirk · Jul 11, 2020

Feet4Fish said:
Might want to check with KP Aquatics and Goxy saltwater fish. That is where mine is from

Hmmm, hadn’t heard of either. I got on the waitlist at KP. Have you ordered from them before?

Abhishek · Jul 11, 2020

Am not sure what your budget is but you should look into Poma Labs for captive bred blue line , Singapore and the dreamy conspicuous angelfishes .
But captive bred that are eating pellets , no disease and no need to quarantine !!! Plus come in with 30 day warranty and Matt is a dream guy to work with ..

we need more support for captive breds !!!

Feet4Fish · Jul 11, 2020

Darth_Kirk said:
Hmmm, hadn’t heard of either. I got on the waitlist at KP. Have you ordered from them before?

I have and they are great! Foxy is where I got the French!

Abhishek · Jul 11, 2020

Darth_Kirk said:
Hmmm, hadn’t heard of either. I got on the waitlist at KP. Have you ordered from them before?

KPaquatics are awesome guys and extremely knowledgeable . Old timers in the hobby and you can trust them with their shipments !!!

DarthSimon · Jul 11, 2020

I've seen many French and Grey Angels diving down in the Caribbean. Gorgeous Angel Fish... They get 16-20 INCHES at full grown in the wild. I also so a full grown one in a 1600 Gallon Tank....

mattzang · Jul 11, 2020

Reeftopia is another straight from diver type place I think they had some French in stock last time I checked

Darth_Kirk · Jul 11, 2020

Abhishek said:
Am not sure what your budget is but you should look into Poma Labs for captive bred blue line , Singapore and the dreamy conspicuous angelfishes .
But captive bred that are eating pellets , no disease and no need to quarantine !!! Plus come in with 30 day warranty and Matt is a dream guy to work with ..

we need more support for captive breds !!!

I checked the sight out, very cool. I had a Crosshatch pair for years, that was the height of my budget, and they were only $400 a piece back then. Conspics are spectacular though.

Conrad Noto · Jul 11, 2020

Feet4Fish said:
Typically I get my angels in the 5-7 “ range however I did get a large French. He was 8” when I received him and acclimated seamlessly. Now I got him from a diver in the keys so super short supply chain which I am sure helps a bit. He is now about 10”.

One of Jason's??

Feet4Fish · Jul 11, 2020

Conrad Noto said:
One of Jason's??

Yes one of Jason’s . I got my Queen there as well

Darth_Kirk · Jul 11, 2020

Feet4Fish said:
Yes one of Jason’s . I got my Queen there as well

is that Foxy? I plan on adding another Angel with the Grey, a Queen would be ideal....worried my Passer might be a jerk if only one is added

Feet4Fish · Jul 11, 2020

Yes

Darth_Kirk said:
is that Foxy? I plan on adding another Angel with the Grey, a Queen would be ideal....worried my Passer might be a jerk if only one is added

yes, foxy. If you set the tank up right and I think you should be fine. I have six large angels in my system including both a pastor and a queen. If possible get the queen as big as her even a little bit bigger than the passer. Ensure that the tank is consistently well fed, there’s ample water volume and plenty of line of sight breaks.

Darth_Kirk · Jul 11, 2020

Feet4Fish said:
Yes

yes, foxy. If you set the tank up right and I think you should be fine. I have six large angels in my system including both a pastor and a queen. If possible get the queen as big as her even a little bit bigger than the passer. Ensure that the tank is consistently well fed, there’s ample water volume and plenty of line of sight breaks.

Thanks, I haven’t been active on the message boards the last few years, getting some good info. I think I will us that site, you’re happy with them I gather?

I had 5 large Angels in here at one point, Mac, French, Koran, Emperor, and Passer. The first 3 I had more than 10 years. There was a huge Sohal in there too, he was the unquestioned alpha. He didn’t put up with other fish being aggressive. In my experience, 2 can be bad, more usually works out.

Feet4Fish · Jul 11, 2020

Totally

Darth_Kirk said:
Thanks, I haven’t been active on the message boards the last few years, getting some good info. I think I will us that site, you’re happy with them I gather?

I had 5 large Angels in here at one point, Mac, French, Koran, Emperor, and Passer. The first 3 I had more than 10 years. There was a huge Sohal in there too, he was the unquestioned alpha. He didn’t put up with other fish being aggressive. In my experience, 2 can be bad, more usually works out.

totally agree. Kind of like the cichlid mentality. I have queen, emporer, blue face, Annularis and French.

I was very pleased with Foxy. Fish came in and looked so healthy. The super short supply chain helps tons!