Flame Angel in 50 gal?

Baby Ray · Apr 15, 2020

Ive seen a lot of mixed results about whether a 50 gallon tank is big enough for a flame angel so I wanted to here walls opinions

Baby Ray · Apr 15, 2020

Y'alls, not walls ^

Mastiffsrule · Apr 15, 2020

Hi,

I say yes, what is the dimensions and what else is in the tank

Baby Ray · Apr 15, 2020

This is theoretical for now but I may have the opportunity to get my hands on a 50 gallon tank soon. Its an innovative marine lagoon tank so the dimensions would be 30 x 24 x 16 I think

Cwentz758 · Apr 15, 2020

I think it’s plenty. Flame angel is of the dwarf kind and doesn’t get tremendously big like other angels.

Baby Ray · Apr 15, 2020

Cwentz758 said:
I think it’s plenty. Flame angel is of the dwarf kind and doesn’t get tremendously big like other angels.

Yeah, I was kinda thinking the same thing but then I saw that live aquaria recommended a 70 gallon for them

Auquanut · Apr 15, 2020

Size wise it should be no problem. May want to wait a while before adding because from what I've heard, they can be pretty sensitive to variations in water conditions.

Baby Ray · Apr 15, 2020

Auquanut said:
Size wise it should be no problem. May want to wait a while before adding because from what I've heard, they can be pretty sensitive to variations in water conditions.

Yeah, I agree. And they can be pretty aggressive especially in "smaller" tanks so defiantly would be adding it later

mattzang · Apr 15, 2020

i have one in a 50 gallon cube, 24x24. it has been in there for a bit more than a year and is fat and seems quite happy. not overly aggressive anymore either. so that said i think he could live out his entire life in there. that said, there's currently a 4 foot tank sitting on the floor next to my tank for an upgrade at least in part to having the flame and two adult male halichoeres wrasses i want to give more space to (and so i can get more fish!)

your dimensions are better than mine are, so that helps. if i never planned to upgrade i think in retrospect i'd go with a pygmy angel, but i think a flame is an acceptable choice as well.

Baby Ray · Apr 15, 2020

mattzang said:
i have one in a 50 gallon cube, 24x24. it has been in there for a bit more than a year and is fat and seems quite happy. not overly aggressive anymore either. so that said i think he could live out his entire life in there. that said, there's currently a 4 foot tank sitting on the floor next to my tank for an upgrade at least in part to having the flame and two adult male halichoeres wrasses i want to give more space to (and so i can get more fish!)

your dimensions are better than mine are, so that helps. if i never planned to upgrade i think in retrospect i'd go with a pygmy angel, but i think a flame is an acceptable choice as well.

I've had a cherub angel in the past and I loved it but flame angels have always been a favorite for me too. Thanks for the information

Mastiffsrule · Apr 15, 2020

Looks like you’re set. I have my flame in my 4’ 75 along with a white tail angel.

I will say my flame is around 4 inches and uses every bit of the 4’. I was thinking about putting him in the 180. They are cool fish. Feed them good and they should get a nice deep red and blue color to them.

Baby Ray · Apr 16, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Looks like you’re set. I have my flame in my 4’ 75 along with a white tail angel.

I will say my flame is around 4 inches and uses every bit of the 4’. I was thinking about putting him in the 180. They are cool fish. Feed them good and they should get a nice deep red and blue color to them.

Awesome! Thanks for the replies

nereefpat · Apr 16, 2020

I would not. This is one time where LA is close on tank size recommendation. A standard 75 is what i would recommend.

A cherub or flame back would be better.

Baby Ray · Apr 16, 2020

nereefpat said:
I would not. This is one time where LA is close on tank size recommendation. A standard 75 is what i would recommend.

A cherub or flame back would be better.

A little controversy

I feel like its pretty evenly divided on what people think about this. I wish there was a definitive answer.

Mastiffsrule · Apr 16, 2020

Baby Ray said:
A little controversy
I feel like its pretty evenly divided on what people think about this. I wish there was a definitive answer.

Never controversy. @nereefpat has a valid point and one which I erred to touch upon in my reply. I mentioned mine was in my 75 and was think about putting in my 180. So it is always better if in doubt to chose a smaller fish or have a bigger tank as a back up.

The reason I said ok is your dimensions v gallons. You are losing 18 inches in swim length but getting 6 in width. Height you are losing. I was looking your tank as more of a circle track and mine as a hallway.

Baby Ray · Apr 16, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Never controversy. @nereefpat has a valid point and one which I erred to touch upon in my reply. I mentioned mine was in my 75 and was think about putting in my 180. So it is always better if in doubt to chose a smaller fish or have a bigger tank as a back up.

The reason I said ok is your dimensions v gallons. You are losing 18 inches in swim length but getting 6 in width. Height you are losing. I was looking your tank as more of a circle track and mine as a hallway.

Yeah, I completely understand your point but I have also heard of people who have kept them in 50 gallons and been successful so its just hard to tell. I agree that a cherub or flame back would be better suited but Flames angels are one of the fish that got me into this hobby and 50 gallons will be the biggest tank I've ever had so this seems like the best opportunity for me.