Can Potter's Angels mix with reef?

joecrack8 · Jul 23, 2015

I love the Potter's Angel its the one angel fish I want but I have a reef tank. What do you think?

ArcKatana · Jul 23, 2015

Depends on the corals. With Caution. Keep in mind they can be perfect citizens for a year, then decide to start nibbling.

FoD · Jul 23, 2015

...Or longer. It all depends on the fish. It also depends on how well you keep it fed.

Piranhapat · Jul 23, 2015

Had one in my SPS for 4 years. Never touched one and ate frozen and flake food. My favorite fish...

Jayrad · Jul 23, 2015

I keep a trio in my reef with various SPS, LPS, zoas, mushrooms, a giant clam, and anemone, etc...

Here is the thing about the Potter's - as with other pygmy angels they nibble on just about everything now and then. Its a gentle, loving nibble. I don't think it bothers any of the corals long-term but some people freak out and think it is eating the coral. I consider all 3 of mine to be safe, at least for the corals I keep.

4FordFamily · Jul 23, 2015

Jayrad said:
I keep a trio in my reef with various SPS, LPS, zoas, mushrooms, a giant clam, and anemone, etc...

Here is the thing about the Potter's - as with other pygmy angels they nibble on just about everything now and then. Its a gentle, loving nibble. I don't think it bothers any of the corals long-term but some people freak out and think it is eating the coral. I consider all 3 of mine to be safe, at least for the corals I keep.

I agree with this but I would add that I have had a couple over the years that relentlessly picked at corals, even ate them. Clams too.

I have had far more model citizens that either nibbled but did zero damage or that didn't nibble at all.

This is true for me for other centropyge angels such as flames, coral beauty, and flame back to name some I have experience with. I have the most experience with flame and potters by far.

joecrack8 · Jul 23, 2015

Jayrad said:
I keep a trio in my reef with various SPS, LPS, zoas, mushrooms, a giant clam, and anemone, etc...

Here is the thing about the Potter's - as with other pygmy angels they nibble on just about everything now and then. Its a gentle, loving nibble. I don't think it bothers any of the corals long-term but some people freak out and think it is eating the coral. I consider all 3 of mine to be safe, at least for the corals I keep.

Now do you have alot of corals? I was told if your tank has alot there is a better chance they won't eat the corals because they will pick at multiple instead of like 2

Acrononomus · Jul 23, 2015

Mine has been good so far....

Reef UP · Jul 24, 2015

Every angel I've ever encountered was a 50/50 shot but the risk is well worth the reward they're beautiful by far my favorite dwarf angel I find out he liked my prized cherry corals acans, he has great taste ha
But that is the only thing and I have a nice place for them in another tank

hybridazn · Jul 24, 2015

They seem to be hit or miss. I had one a few years back and he was fine in my reef setup. But I have also heard stories like the ones posted. I say try one and keep him well fed so he doesnt look for food elsewhere. They really are a beautiful fish!

ZoaCollector · Jul 24, 2015

Yeah pretty much luck of the draw. I currently have a model Flame Angel but who knows how long that will last.

jasonandsarah · Jul 24, 2015

I just added a potters angel yesterday! I try to get my angels on the smaller size no matter what type they are. Easier to keep full and hopefully less experienced at eating corals! Lol
I had a flame angel that was great for a year and then he just started constantly picking.

4FordFamily · Jul 24, 2015

jasonandsarah said:
I just added a potters angel yesterday! I try to get my angels on the smaller size no matter what type they are. Easier to keep full and hopefully less experienced at eating corals! Lol
I had a flame angel that was great for a year and then he just started constantly picking.

That's a pretty female potters!

jasonandsarah · Jul 24, 2015

3FordFamily said:
That's a pretty female potters!

She's holding her own against my melanurus so far! Almost kinda bullying him (I don't mind at all!) Melanurus killed my favorite fish recently, mystery wrasse.
How can you tell the difference in gender?

4FordFamily · Jul 24, 2015

jasonandsarah said:
She's holding her own against my melanurus so far! Almost kinda bullying him (I don't mind at all!) Melanurus killed my favorite fish recently, mystery wrasse.
How can you tell the difference in gender?

This is not fool proof but I've found it true every time. If the fish is 2/3 orange, female. if 2/3 purple, male. I've even simply said if it's clear primary color is one or the other, it can still be sexed. It's worked for me when creating trios and pairs many many times.

I don't remember where that came from but the person I heard this from was very seasoned and knowledgable.

I've never seen a potters that didn't immediately scream one or the other to me. I'm sure one is out there though.

Males also tend to have more "electric" purple markings on the fins and tail. It can be found in both sexes but males generally have significantly more.

4FordFamily · Jul 24, 2015

For what it's worth I prefer females to males in overall appearance but appreciate a male with lots of electric purple fin markings. The marbling that makes potters such a handsome fish is much more visible and striking in the orange areas. You'll see far more females in the hobby than males, which also adds credibility to the theory IMO.

jasonandsarah · Jul 24, 2015

3FordFamily said:
For what it's worth I prefer females to males in overall appearance but appreciate a male with lots of electric purple fin markings. The marbling that makes potters such a handsome fish is much more visible and striking in the orange areas. You'll see far more females in the hobby than males, which also adds credibility to the theory IMO.

Picked this out of am article I'm reading. "In the typical orange variation, males have more blue in the mid section, reaching usually to the bottom of the belly area."
Hey can females change to male in the presence of another female? Finding conflicting info online. Thanks

4FordFamily · Jul 24, 2015

jasonandsarah said:
Picked this out of am article I'm reading. "In the typical orange variation, males have more blue in the mid section, reaching usually to the bottom of the belly area."
Hey can females change to male in the presence of another female? Finding conflicting info online. Thanks

Yes but unlike wrasse, anthias, clowns, etc. It is far less common and takes much longer in the home aquaria IMO.

I've never had one change sex on me in 12 years of keeping them. I've kept dozens over the years.

joecrack8 · Jul 24, 2015

jasonandsarah said:
I just added a potters angel yesterday! I try to get my angels on the smaller size no matter what type they are. Easier to keep full and hopefully less experienced at eating corals! Lol
I had a flame angel that was great for a year and then he just started constantly picking.

That guy is very pretty where did you get it?

Jayrad · Jul 24, 2015

joecrack8 said:
Now do you have alot of corals? I was told if your tank has alot there is a better chance they won't eat the corals because they will pick at multiple instead of like 2

I would not say I have a lot of corals, especially compared to many people on this forum. I do feed frozen once or twice a day and generally 8" squares of algae (for the tang but the potters eat it as well). The potter trio is currently in a 6ft tank so they have a decent amount of room to graze on things other than corals.