Flame Angel from Hell

[jcpatella]

This isn't a question, it's more a reminder to carefully read "Reef-safe WITH CAUTION."

I finally got a beautiful flame angel. He actually grew quite plump in my tank and was definitely my most beautiful fish - probably because he had a healthy diet of CORAL!!!! All of my coral had been looking kind of rough and then I saw him - picking away like he's been doing it for years! After tearing down all my live rock and re-doing my entire tank, I finally caught him.

Unless you're willing to take the risk, think twice before buying anything that is reef safe "WITH CAUTION."

[steven_dean17]

Poor little bugger, maybe he didn't read that part. LOL

[AquaReeferMan]

Thats a shame, mine has been a model citizen.

[jcpatella]

Does anyone have any good suggestions for a REEF SAFE replacement for this guy? Of course, it will go in my 55 gallon, so tangs are [unfortunately] out of the question. I was thinking a sixline wrasse, but I've heard they terrorize shrimp (I have a cleaner). Maybe a firefish?

[BangkokMatt]

You are always taking a 'reef safe' gamble with any Centropyge.

[hybridgenius]

Yea they are def hit and miss type deals.

[KMP]

many will advise against a six line wrasse. i love the little guys - alwasy happy - cruising the tank. i have a 8g biocube (six line - cleaner shrimp - orange spot goby) and a 24g aquapod (six line - cleaner shrimp - orange spot goby).

the six line has never messed with my shrimp. just this weekend when i added the orange spot goby to the 8g biocube the six line was harrassing him pretty good. monday morning the orange spot goby was cruising around with no worries and he six line was not remotely interested.

i personnally think some folks freak out with the initial introduction of fish. it is a teritorial thing and just like dogs or any other animals there's going to be an initial "i'm the boss" moment.

just something to consider.

[McCrary]

I had a sixline who was a model citizen for over a year, but he did become more aggressive as time progressed and I eventually got rid of him.

[jcpatella]

After dealing with this flame angel, I'm not really in the mood to take chances. Thanks for the info about the sixline, though - I might just wait before I introduce one though. Any luck with firefish?

[uscharalph]

I have both a Flame Angel and a Coral Beauty with no problems. Just lucky I guess?

[McCrary]

Firefish are absolutely wonderful reef dwellers, but can become victims of aggresive behavior; so be careful of boisterous species when adding firefish.

[BangkokMatt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11270030#post11270030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uscharalph
I have both a Flame Angel and a Coral Beauty with no problems. Just lucky I guess?

At the moment. I had my FA 2 years before it decided it liked corals.

[techreef]

firefish are awesome reef fish, and the flipping of their dorsal fins is something unique to watch. that'd be a great option for you to go with. Something like a Court Jester Goby would be nice too. Midas Blenny? I did lose a firefish to a McCosker's wrasse though, so I second McCrary's warning.

[MichiP]

i had a sixline which did not care obut my cleaner shrimp.
but he attacked my mandarins when i put them in the tank.
end of story - i had to catch him and give him away to a friend who had a single female.

[steri]

Firefish are reef safe for sure!

They are model citizens and quite hardy. They will jump, so make sure your top is secure, but they are hearty, peaceful, easy to care for, and comepletely reef safe.

Hope that helps.

[steri]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11270030#post11270030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uscharalph
I have both a Flame Angel and a Coral Beauty with no problems. Just lucky I guess?

Very lucky!

Usually 2 angels of the same body type and size hate each other! Coral Beauty's and Flames are both dwarf angels and the same body type. That usually spells disaster for one of them, especially in smaller tanks. Ya, you're lucky....that they aren't killing each other ;)

Like stated above....regarding angels and corals....it's always a risk.

[spinninmidwater]

I love my firefish. it's subtly beautiful, totally reef safe and peaceful but a bit too shy. if u choose to keep them, u can only keep other peaceful fish thereafter otherwise they may get bullied into hiding at all time. also secure cover is a must must. I lose 3 firefish before I finally realized where they simply disappeared (dead on the floor as far as 2m away - amazing!) these are for your consideration

[Jareth]

Yeah those guys are jumpers.

However, I would suggest 3. They are schooling fish and will come out to play if there are 3 or more. When I had but 1 it hid in the corner staring at its own reflection. Now that I've added the other 2 they cruise in the center of the tank.

[jcpatella]

I've read that unless they're a mated pair, you can only keep one. I'd prefer to keep 2, though. I'm eyeing the purple firefish now, though...

[Boca Kris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11270030#post11270030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uscharalph
I have both a Flame Angel and a Coral Beauty with no problems. Just lucky I guess?

Did you add them at the same time? And if not, which did you add first? And what other fish do you have?

I ask because Im thinking of adding both of those fish to my 55 soon.

[nmhs2]

I have a coral beauty and was thinking of getting a flameangel, not a good idea?

[Boca Kris]

I heard it came be tricky to add one later cause they both can get territorial! I dont have any experience with either though....YET!

[steri]

The only way I have ever heard of anyone adding 2 angels to their tank successfully for an extended period of time, is if they do it at the exact same time. Adding one dwarf at one time and a 2nd one later will almost certainly be a death sentence for the 2nd angel...if they are the same body type (and that is the key). Flames and Coral Beautys are the same body type. So are Potters. You may, and I stress may, be able to do something like a flame and a lemonpeel (because the lemonpeel is a more elongated body type), but even then I personally would not attempt it unless added at the same time.

I have 2 angels in my tank...a flame and a Rock Beauty. The difference here is a Rock Beauty is a large angelfish, which is a different body type entirely from a dwarf (my flame angel). I did add them at the same time, just in case.

Like I said, the body type thing is the most important. Angels can be quite territorial if they see one of themselves close by (or something that they interprut to be one of themselves). Hope that helps.

I love angels. They are my favorite saltwater fish. I try to learn a lot about them, and feel like I have the most experience and knowledge with them over other fish/corals/ect. I'm not saying I'm an expert by any means, but I hope my experience helps some.

As for the firefish. I have 2 of those in my tank. I understand firefish to be schooling fish. My firefish are always together. The swim in the tank together, sleep in the same cave together, the do everything together. Purples are beautiful!