Mean Flame Angel - Stocking Question

[mpoletiek]

Hello!

So here's the current stocking in my waterbox 165. See layout in the build thread linked in my profile....

2 clowns
1 blue hippo tang
1 flame angel
4 yellow tail damsels
1 six line wrasse
2 emerald crabs
1 yellow watchman goby
1 pistol shrimp.

They've all been living together great for about a month now, but recently I've noticed the flame angel is beginning to terrorize the yellow tail damsels.

We're seeing nipped tails and now marks on their side. The side mark can be due to the rocks. The blue hippo got itself good when we first put it in the tank. No coralline algae yet.

But I've seen the flame angel chase a damsel the other day for a good 5-10 seconds. This is definitely "new" behavior.

I'm wondering how I might tame the flame angel a bit. Maybe more damsels? Or do they need a bigger bully?

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[mpoletiek]

Hello!

So here's the current stocking in my waterbox 165. See layout in the build thread linked in my profile....

2 clowns
1 blue hippo tang
1 flame angel
4 yellow tail damsels
1 six line wrasse
2 emerald crabs
1 yellow watchman goby
1 pistol shrimp.

They've all been living together great for about a month now, but recently I've noticed the flame angel is beginning to terrorize the yellow tail damsels.

We're seeing nipped tails and now marks on their side. The side mark can be due to the rocks. The blue hippo got itself good when we first put it in the tank. No coralline algae yet.

But I've seen the flame angel chase a damsel the other day for a good 5-10 seconds. This is definitely "new" behavior.

I'm wondering how I might tame the flame angel a bit. Maybe more damsels? Or do they need a bigger bully?

Thoughts?

Thanks

Oh and I also have a few snails and 3 fighting conches.... if that matters? lol

 

[davidcalgary29]

This is a six foot tank, right? That should provide enough space for your fish. This suggests that:

-You do not have enough aquascape for your territorial fish (translation: the angel and tang)

-You do not have enough live rock for the angel to graze. Angels eat all day by grazing on live rock.

-Your aquascape is arranged in a way that does not allow for aggression to be dispersed throughout the tank, and makes the angel feel threatened. You can try rearranging the rock.

-Your flame angel is threatened by the other tank inhabitants and someone's just going to have to go.

I don't think that fish training is a viable option here. The angel is reacting in a completely natural way, but is turning out not to be a great fit for your build. You can either accommodate it or rehome it.

 

[mpoletiek]

Thanks for the tips.

It's a 4ft tank, but I do suspect the aquascape probably isn't helping. Most of the fish tend to hang out on one side of the tank.

I wouldn't say it's a dire straights situation. More wondering if people tend to increase a population of the fish that get picked on or find a bigger bully.

I haven't seen any unusual interactions between the blue tang and the angel. Everyone seems to get along just fine 99% of the time. I'll be home all day tomorrow and keep an eye on it.

 

[mpoletiek]

Quick update.... Aggression just dissappeared.

Such is reef drama I suppose

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello!

So here's the current stocking in my waterbox 165. See layout in the build thread linked in my profile....

2 clowns
1 blue hippo tang
1 flame angel
4 yellow tail damsels
1 six line wrasse
2 emerald crabs
1 yellow watchman goby
1 pistol shrimp.

They've all been living together great for about a month now, but recently I've noticed the flame angel is beginning to terrorize the yellow tail damsels.

We're seeing nipped tails and now marks on their side. The side mark can be due to the rocks. The blue hippo got itself good when we first put it in the tank. No coralline algae yet.

But I've seen the flame angel chase a damsel the other day for a good 5-10 seconds. This is definitely "new" behavior.

I'm wondering how I might tame the flame angel a bit. Maybe more damsels? Or do they need a bigger bully?

Thoughts?

Thanks

Wierd as I have two and are model citizens. Small space will cause this behavior