Coral Beauty, should I get one???

Zero1091 · Oct 24, 2019

Hey guys been looking to add another fish into my aquarium
Reefer250 (54g tank/25g sump)

Currently have...
2 clowns
Six line wrasse
Yellow watchman goby
Bandit goby
Mandarin Goby
Purple Tang ( Holding it for a friend)
Banggai Cardinal

Coral is heavy stocked mixed reef.
A lot of euphyllia, sps, lps, etc.
Been looking to add another fish, a more active swimmer with appealing colors.

Wrasses, tangs and clowns are out due to potential aggression and tank size aswell as anthias because I feed every other day.
However, I Just switched the rockwork up a lot so it may be a good time to introduce similar fish.

Been looking at the coral beauty for a bit but am concerned with the reputation of potential nipping of corals that angels have.
Although, I have heard great success from coral beauty owners in particular.

Can anyone share their short and long term experience with this angel?

Will also appreciate any advice on any fish you guys recommend for my setup.

BeejReef · Oct 24, 2019

Can't vouch for them all, but we've really enjoyed ours. Mixed reef also. Prob 4 mo's with him and no issues so far. Hasn't even gone after the sexy shrimp. Was a captive-bred.

Zero1091 · Oct 24, 2019

How often are you feeding, Ive heard then dont usually go for small crustaceans or corals because they are more interested in picking algae or the main prepared foods.

BeejReef said:
Can't vouch for them all, but we've really enjoyed ours. Mixed reef also. Prob 4 mo's with him and no issues so far. Hasn't even gone after the sexy shrimp. Was a captive-bred.

Bob Weigant · Oct 24, 2019

As much as I like them the one I had hated everyone.

BeejReef · Oct 24, 2019

Zero1091 said:
How often are you feeding, Ive heard then dont usually go for small crustaceans or corals because they are more interested in picking algae or the main prepared foods.

I feed twice a day. Frozen atm, but my fish aren't picky. They actually seem to prefer flake. I wouldn't put it past him to eat someone of he was hungry. Doubtful you have much algae feeding every other day. Ever consider an auto feeder? Coral beauty is a fine fish, but if it's color and movement u want, can't go wrong with a flasher wrasse.

AcanthurusRex · Oct 24, 2019

A captive-bred one might behave itself better since it's only known food given to it, usually reef nutrition pellets and lrs.
I had a captive-bred flame that did not do any damage.

foxt · Oct 24, 2019

I have a coral beauty, was captive bred and tiny when I got it. It was fine for about a year, but when it reached what seems to be full size, it started nipping. It tends to favor new frags, and it recently devoured about half a frag of birdsnest, at which point I removed the frag.

I also have a Potters that has been in there about the same amount of time (about two years), and it has not yet nipped.

Zero1091 · Oct 24, 2019

BeejReef said:
I feed twice a day. Frozen atm, but my fish aren't picky. They actually seem to prefer flake. I wouldn't put it past him to eat someone of he was hungry. Doubtful you have much algae feeding every other day. Ever consider an auto feeder? Coral beauty is a fine fish, but if it's color and movement u want, can't go wrong with a flasher wrasse.

Ive considered other wrasses aswell and the flasher wrasse is dope but with my sixline not sure if it would start getting aggressive.
The sixline is super chill never had an issue with them. In all the tanks ive started they have always been calm.
Only reason I keep it is because it does well with eradicating any pests.

Zero1091 · Oct 24, 2019

Sounds like in the long run once they mature angels can start misbehaving a bit with the coral.

Any other fish you guys recommend?

foxt · Oct 24, 2019

A couple of female leopards might work, but like you said, the sixline is a potential issue. I also like the chrysus wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus), active fish and adds a flash of yellow. Good part about adding wrasses is that if the sixline is aggressive, you can remove it and still have pest control. A longnose hawkfish is also an interesting fish, and might be ok with the other fish you already have but it might go after any small inverts you have.

Seanislav · Oct 24, 2019

I've had about 4 different coral beauties over the years and have never observed coral nipping by any of them. To be fair, though, my system is fed twice a day, so they're rarely in a situation where they'll eat anything to survive. I believe that's part of the equation.

Devaji · Oct 24, 2019

love the coral beauties....it's a roll of the dice if you love your LPS more then fish I say dont do it. but if you like fish more than corals I say go for it.

IMHO I would rehome the 6line and get 2 small wrasse like the flashers or a flasher and fairy. I like wrasses in reefs more than angels. even tho i have a flame that does nip, might rehome him if it get bad.

rkpetersen · Oct 24, 2019

Coral beauties are the least likely of centropyge angels to nip at coral. I have one in a tank crowded with corals and it never touches anything. On the other hand, I had a different one in another tank and it was definitely a nipper; eventually had to remove it.

Zero1091 · Oct 24, 2019

Devaji said:
love the coral beauties....it's a roll of the dice if you love your LPS more then fish I say dont do it. but if you like fish more than corals I say go for it.

IMHO I would rehome the 6line and get 2 small wrasse like the flashers or a flasher and fairy. I like wrasses in reefs more than angels. even tho i have a flame that does nip, might rehome him if it get bad.

Yeah considering getting the sixline out,
With all the rockwork and rescaping everything its a lot of trouble. Algaebarn has captive bred coral beauties but as of right now its a plan B just because it can always have potential to be a nipper.