flame angelfish addition?

Ramiro Casal · Jan 11, 2018

So ive been wanting to add a flame angelfish to my 20gallon for a while waiting for my lfs to get a tiny one. Now they finally have one should I get it?
my tank has a pair of tiny clonfish and a small diamond goby.

Crabs McJones · Jan 11, 2018

Ramiro Casal said:
So ive been wanting to add a flame angelfish to my 20gallon for a while waiting for my lfs to get a tiny one. Now they finally have one should I get it?
my tank has a pair of tiny clonfish and a small diamond goby.

Not in a 20 gallon I wouldn't. Flame angelfish can outgrow a 20 gallon and require ideally a 75 gallon when fully grown. A 40 breeder would be pushing it. Unless you plan on rehousing him when he gets bigger I wouldn't do it

Ramiro Casal · Jan 11, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
Not in a 20 gallon I wouldn't. Flame angelfish can outgrow a 20 gallon and require ideally a 75 gallon when fully grown. A 40 breeder would be pushing it. Unless you plan on rehousing him when he gets bigger I wouldn't do it

What about a small coral beauty? would it also outgrow the tank?

Crabs McJones · Jan 11, 2018

Ramiro Casal said:
What about a small coral beauty? would it also outgrow the tank?

Pretty much any angelfish or dwarf angel will get to big for a 20 unfortunately.

LbulletM · Jan 12, 2018

If you have corals, don't do it anyways. I was one of those fools that bought a Potter's Angel as my first fish. Had a year of great success, and the fish was super healthy, but he started going after the corals when I received a decent sized shipment. I guess he couldn't resist the new buffet.

I literally had to drain all of my water from the tank to catch him. And now my corals have never been happier.

Angels in a reef tank. Never again.

Ramiro Casal · Jan 12, 2018

sorry to bring this up again, but I really want the fish and was wondering if I got it for my 20 gallon how long will the flame be comfortable in it?(as in when would I need to put it into another tank) The flame is about 2-3 inches.

Crabs McJones · Jan 12, 2018

Ramiro Casal said:
sorry to bring this up again, but I really want the fish and was wondering if I got it for my 20 gallon how long will the flame be comfortable in it?(as in when would I need to put it into another tank) The flame is about 2-3 inches.

I'm sorry man but I cannot answer that. It's just a bad idea. I know you really want the fish, but I strongly urge against getting it. Save up, get a bigger tank, and then buy the fish. But possibly another member of #reefsquad may know their growth rate and have an answer for you.

cgdcinc · Jan 12, 2018

Ramiro Casal said:
sorry to bring this up again, but I really want the fish and was wondering if I got it for my 20 gallon how long will the flame be comfortable in it?(as in when would I need to put it into another tank) The flame is about 2-3 inches.

IMO you are already maxed out for live stock in the 20. Have you thought of setting up a bigger tank? [emoji12] What better excuse to go bigger? Lol!
I know it’s hard when there is something you really want, but there is a lot of info that would suggest against it.

4FordFamily · Jan 12, 2018

A centropyge (dwarf angel) will not be happy in a 20 gal, in any size. They don’t grow particularly fast but the very small juveniles are very fragile.

If you MUST get a centropyge, a pygmy, flameback, or fireball stay smaller. I still wouldn’t feel right keeping them in a 20 gal, however.

melypr1985 · Jan 12, 2018

4FordFamily said:
A centropyge (dwarf angel) will not be happy in a 20 gal, in any size. They don’t grow particularly fast but the very small juveniles are very fragile.

If you MUST get a centropyge, a pygmy, flameback, or fireball stay smaller. I still wouldn’t feel right keeping them in a 20 gal, however.

Agreed.