Emporer angel in a reef?

[Hal3134]

I searched, but couldn't find anything.

What's the success rate for an emporer angel in a reef. Success=acceptable level of coral nipping. Is it true that they mostly go after softies and clam mantles?

I'd really like one of these for the colors and body shape.

 

[Shufflepig]

I searched, but couldn't find anything.

What's the success rate for an emporer angel in a reef. Success=acceptable level of coral nipping. Is it true that they mostly go after softies and clam mantles?

I'd really like one of these for the colors and body shape.

I have one that started as a juvenile and is about halfway transitioned now. He will definitely nip at LPS. Likes to nip my 2 hammers but mostly just annoys them. Cannot have any zoas in with him as he totally devoured 2 small zoa colonies. Also likes to eat acans and favia . Had to pull those out of the tank. Beautiful fish but can push your patience a little with the corals.

 

[Sailfin11]

I think it's hit or miss with emperors. This past weekend, I went to someone's house to buy some anemones from their tank. He had a beautiful 360 gallon tank. Along with a 4-5" juvi emperor, he had a huge maxima and gigas clam! I was absolutely shocked! I am sure that it is possible with the right fish.

 

[ca1ore]

Acceptable level of nipping is more about you than the fish. What's your tolerance for nipping? If you are going to freak at the first sign of nipping, don't get one. If you are going to be able to put up with some damage, get one. I have one in my 450. Goes after zoanthids. No clams and very few softies so damage is minor. Grunts all the time though.

 

[Hal3134]

Acceptable level of nipping is more about you than the fish. What's your tolerance for nipping?

As long as he the damage is limited to "some, but the coral will regrow", with "some" being less than 20% of the coral, I'm fine. Beyond that I'd have to think. Good to know that zoa's are on the menu for decimation though.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

As long as he the damage is limited to "some, but the coral will regrow", with "some" being less than 20% of the coral, I'm fine. Beyond that I'd have to think. Good to know that zoa's are on the menu for decimation though.

It really depends on the actual fish cause each will be different on whether 20% or more will be valid, and letting it regrow isnt exactly on the fishes mind either

 

[Katrina71]

@fabutahoun any input?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Success rate is very good for the fish but Not any soft coral. SPS would be fine. Fish only offers highest success rate.

 

[sabor]

Had one. Just sold him about 2 weeks ago. Was nipping on my acans. Tolerated for 3 months, but just couldn’t get him to stop nipping

 

[fabutahoun]

I got my emperor when it was a tiny juvenile.
He is safe with sps , most lps and clams
Most corals at risk are zoas and acans.

 

[Justanano]

I had one in my reef tank and ate all kinds of lps ands softies... got rid of him and tank is doing a lot better

 

[Highgrade]

One word...… REGRET.

Beautiful fish but the two I had would eat any LPS and snap 1/4" tips of my acros all day long.