Flame angel in mixed reef?

[phil bevilacqua]

Yes or no? I was always under the impression that pigmy angels would pick it SPS… But I seem to see the flame angel and so many SPS tanks I am curious ? Lol

 

[dwest]

Yes or no? I was always under the impression that pigmy angels would pick it SPS… But I seem to see the flame angel and so many SPS tanks I am curious ? Lol

I think it’s pretty risky. I’ve always wanted one, but have never been brave enough. Hopefully those with real experience will chime in.

 

[WMR]

Yes or no? I was always under the impression that pigmy angels would pick it SPS… But I seem to see the flame angel and so many SPS tanks I am curious ? Lol

Dwarf angels in a reef tank are tricky. Some people don’t have problems, some people say they’re the scourge of the tank, then you have to catch them. About the only angels that would be good in a reef are the Genicanthus genus, that’s because they’re pelagic. What size is your reef tank?

 

[Aardvark1134]

Several things to remember
1) Every single angel is different just like some people eat salads some don't some eat mcdonalds and some won't touch it
2) Does it like your food and are you keeping it full?
3) Did you get it young or tank bred before it's set in it's way?
4) Just because it eats 1 type doesn't mean it will bother all types
5) Luck

 

[phil bevilacqua]

Hahaha. Yes to all that. It’s a 220 I haven’t purchased one… But I see him in so many tanks and I just love that fish

 

[ca1ore]

Whether an angel is deemed to be reef safe or not is more a function of the reefer than the fish (that’s mostly why you get such varied opinions). All angels will pick - they are grazers after all. A reefer that gets all crazy about a nip here and there shouldn’t get one; somebody who is a little less OCD about it will find them a fine addition to a reef tank. Of course, every now and then one will go rogue and test the patience of even the most sanguine of reefers. About six months ago my lemon peel decided to raze my large birds nest colony. It is what it is. Didn’t kill it, and now has mostly left it alone to recover.

 

[MnFish1]

Yes or no? I was always under the impression that pigmy angels would pick it SPS… But I seem to see the flame angel and so many SPS tanks I am curious ? Lol

IMO - its trachyphylia or other coral of that type that small angels attack. Never had a problem with SPS. Every angel is different - and its also different depending on age.

 

[WV Reefer]

I have a Flame in my 75. He’s a picker like all Angels and has his favorite things he likes to pick. He’s in with other aggressive fish and I have had no issues at all.

Chester:

 

[Jesterrace]

Yes or no? I was always under the impression that pigmy angels would pick it SPS… But I seem to see the flame angel and so many SPS tanks I am curious ? Lol

It's a gamble. All depends on the individual. Although IMHO it helps to have a well established tank with algae growing for it to graze on and daily seaweed feedings. Once again, not a guarantee of success, just better odds. Also FYI Flame Angels tend to be one of the more aggressive Dwarf Angel species.

 

[linkedsilas]

The hot ones are always the crazy ones!

 

[n21benson]

I have a Flame in my 75. He’s a picker like all Angels and has his favorite things he likes to pick. He’s in with other aggressive fish and I have had no issues at all.

Chester:

He's a nice looking fish!

 

[mattzang]

i went for a flame angel a couple of months ago and i'm happy with it so far

i heeded the advice of experienced folks like @ca1ore who gave that advice again here, if you're going to freak out about some nips here and there, don't bother. but if you're ok with nips, then you're probably good to go.

from what i could gather, if you're going to try angels, or really any reef safe with caution fish, avoid meaty corals, acans, zoas, etc. when my little rock of acans all died, i decided to replace acans with a flame angel. i don't have any scolys/wilsonis/trachys things like that. i have a fungia plate and a space invader which he has seemingly left alone. in fact, if he wouldn't mind trimming those space invader sweepers, i'd appreciate it.

the only sps nipping i've seen is on day 2 of having him, he darted across the tank right to my frag rack to give my purple stylo a smooch. but since then, no smooches seen. i feed a lot and my tank has been up for about a year so if he gets bored he can go clean up random algae spots. one downside is my polyp extension on acros is poor, but that could be my tank or flow or something else. i'm no expert on the acro game. corals seems otherwise healthy and growing, though, so whatevs.

 

[ca1ore]

I have a Flame in my 75. He’s a picker like all Angels and has his favorite things he likes to pick. He’s in with other aggressive fish and I have had no issues at all.

Chester:

That’s a really nice flame - hard to resist .....

 

[ca1ore]

I’ve a spawning pair in my display with another trio of females in QT. Assuming they make it through a-harem here we come .....

 

[mattzang]

I’ve a spawning pair in my display with another trio of females in QT. Assuming they make it through a-harem here we come .....

do they ignore all the other angels in your tank?

 

[ca1ore]

Flame pair mostly just chase each other around; then at dusk they do their spawning runs. It’s really very cool. What’s a few munched coral polyps when you can see that!! Plus, it’s the lemon peel that mostly goes rogue. But that’s a stunning fish also.

 

[scobeyra]

I had to re-home one after it chowed down on my lps. Took our whole colonies of acans and torches. If you have meaty lps I wouldn't risk it.

 

[OrionN]

If your have a large tank 120+, a harem of Flame Angels is well worth an occasional nipped corals. Very few in my case, and all the coral growing great. The nearly nightly spawn is well worth it. At lest a pair in a 65+ gal tank. IMO, these angels are second to no other dwarf angels except the Peppermint angels (IMO) which will cost me two arm and a leg for a harem.

 

[Mozby]

What a tough dilemma for me. My fav fish is the flame angel, but my fav corals are acans. So.... I really want a flame but I’d be really stressed out about the possibility of it eating my rainbow acans. What to do...

 

[Peach02]

Yes or no? I was always under the impression that pigmy angels would pick it SPS… But I seem to see the flame angel and so many SPS tanks I am curious ? Lol

They are similar to the Coral Beauty in that they have a good chance of not nipping but there is a chance that they will, it they decide they like the taste of a coral you may as well say goodbye to it. To reduce chances of this happening feed them well and don’t be worried if it’s one nip eg I’ve seen mine occasionally nip st my sps frag and clam shell but only like once a week and I saw no damage whatsoever done and I’ve had him for a month or two now