Dwarf Angels

[JayM]

My 90 gallon mixed reef is currently in a fallow period. One of the many fish I lost to Ich/velvet was a Lemonpeel angel.

She was a model citizen toward other fish and LPS corals. Model citizen until I gambled on adding a Coral Beauty a couple of months later. It didn't end well for the CB despite my best efforts.

I know it's still a risk for coral nibbling and/or aggression, but I know many have had success adding 2 or more Dwarf Angels at the same time. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I'm going to try again, but here's my question(s) should I decide to go that route:

My QT is only 10 gallons. Is it feasible to QT 2 dwarf angels in a tank that small? Maybe a divider so they each essentially have 5 gallons but no chance for combat? Or perhaps add 1 or 2 other fish to distract from each other? Divider and 1 or 2 other fish? Wait for fallow to end and buy 2 quarantined Angels? Don't even think about it?

I will most certainly get another Lemonpeel. Coral Beauty or Flame Angel are on the short list to complete the pair.

 

[KrisReef]

I got Dwarf and Pygmy angels mixed up. Google set me straight. The link below says don't do it! Based upon your first try I think I believe the articles recommendation.

FAQs on Dwarf Angelfish | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Dwarf angels are some of the most sought-after saltwater fish for reef aquariums, but are they reef-safe, can you mix them, and what size tank do they need? Here we answer all your most frequently…

reefbuilders.com

 

[Seansea]

I wouldnt do it. Gonna end badly for one of them. If you had 6' long display then maybe but in 4' no way.

 

[Dbichler]

@OrionN has success with trios I believe but also not just a pair. Has to be same species also mix match would probably be a bad idea.

 

[Gill the 3rd]

I'm hesitant to share my experience because I actually agree with everyone else, its probably a bad idea. that being said...I have kept a lemon peel, flame, coral beauty, majestic, and rusty angelfish all in a 180 gallon mixed reef tank for a couple years. I never had any problems with aggression and they all ignored each other. I don't know if I just got really lucky since they never were aggressive towards each other or went after coral (at least not that I saw/damaged the coral). Its the classic 'do as a I say not as I do" lol.

 

[o2manyfish]

It's easy for me to say I have a slew of angels and they all get along - but I have a 750g. But when I had a 125 I had flame, multicolor, flameback, Cherub, Golden, Joculator and interruptus all living a happy life together. And the Goldens and Flamebacks were in pairs.

Dave B

 

[PeterEde]

My lemonpeel too was great with corals. The last fish I added safely. It killed 2 tangs and I think the aggression was the cause of my ich outbreak. I managed to stay ich free until adding 2 tangs that died because of the lemonpeel. Even a mirror didnt help

 

[PeterEde]

Maybe if the LFS has them in the same tank and they get along ok them I might consider both

 

[Tori]

My lemon peel angel is definitely not a model citizen but at least hasn't completely killed any coral.

My tank is 4' (Water box 130) and has done okay with multiple dwarfs for a couple of years now for what it's worth. I have a few more than just the ones that show up in the short video.

 

[reefsamurai]

@Tori and I seem to be the multiple angel nuts here so what we have both found to work is an extended QT/Observation period. Then when adding to the DT, a acclimation cage over the course of a week(for me) and always feeding directly from that cage. It gets the angels used to new inhabitants and that the newcomer also means food.

I think Tori has 7-8 angels and I have 5(#6 is in QT). My tank is 6' but the plan is to have at least 10 dwarfs/pygmy plus my imperator and other smaller fish.

Best example I can point to is fresh water African cichlids. The pecking order requires more.

 

[Sump Crab]

Although I don't qt any fish if I did I would want to do it myself. I would not trust other people to qt properly. If you are committed enough to go through fallow then I think you are committed enough to qt your own fish.

 

[Sump Crab]

About the angels. 2 in a 90 is fine. If you get a 40b or a 29 or even a 20h and put in plenty of pvc or plastic deco you can qt both at the same time imo.