Opinions/experiences with Argi Angels?

[Tang Salad]

Hi folks~
I'm curious about your experiences with Centropyge argi. How is their personality: shy, bold, always hidden? Also, any problems with coral nipping?

Thanks!

[Tang Salad]

And the question I forgot...:D

I've read on Fishbase.org (a great site) that they're mainly algae grazers. How have you're Argis been for eating algaes on LR?:

[Tang Salad]

~^~

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12249660#post12249660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tang Salad
And the question I forgot...:D

I've read on Fishbase.org (a great site) that they're mainly algae grazers. How have you're Argis been for eating algaes on LR?:
Unfortunately they can't be counted on for ridding your tank of undesirable algae. They love diatoms, but if you have diatoms all over your front glass you'll just see lips marks all over it.

They tend to stick a little closer to the rocks than some of their bolder cousins like flame angels, but they don't stay hidden. In my opinion in general they tend to be more reef safe than the average Centropyge. But you never know how one individual will be. Mine has never nipped at anything. At least here locally juveniles are more often availble than other dwarf angels making them easier to pair. I think even some online suppliers sell them as pairs or trios.

[Tang Salad]

Thank you Marie :)

I spent hours observing four today. They were in seperate small tanks at the LFS and were all about 1".
I brought home one; the 1st fish in my 40, only corals thus far. He/she seems happy, but only nibbling on rocks in one hidden area.

How do you pair them? Any sexual dimorphism with these guys, apart from adult size?

Thanks!

btw, about a year ago we had a thread-conversation about pairing GSMs and WSMs. Hope your year's been good.:D

[seapug]

I have a C. argi that's very well behaved. They tend to be "safer" than most, but it's always a gamble with those little guys.

[Angel*Fish]

Hey Tang Salad, I remember that! How have you been? I've had a crazy year getting divorced and restarting my wedding cake business. This week I'm up to my eyeballs making palm trees and little gumpaste babies with grass skirts for a luau baby shower cake :D

The only way to tell is size/behavior. If these babies were literally only one inch from nose tip to tail end, I'd say they were juveniles. The juveniles are so darn cute. :D

You should be able to put 2 or 3 of these in a tank and let them sort it out, sort of like pairing juvenile perculas or oscellaris. I'd do it in a tank I could get them out of just to be safe. Better to choose ones with some difference in size rather than ones that are exactly the same. An even better way might be to buy an adult and combine with one or two juveniles.

If things are not going to work out, you'll know in the first minutes. A little chasing is normal like the way the female GSM shows her mate who's boss. But actual physical attacks mean you've got 2 males.
:D

[SDguy]

I had a pair. They weren't shy, but "hugged" the rocks nonetheless. The female absolutely ripped apart my acros and gorgonians. I know of at least two others that had the same problem. Really a shame, their blue color was simply stunning in my tank :( I removed both, FWIW. They have since spawned in their new home :)

[Angel*Fish]

Fwiw mine didn't touch my one gorgonian and the only small polyped corals I had were cup shaped or encrusting - no branching SPS

[Tang Salad]

Thanks guys~

Interesting about them being able to pair up in aquariums; I just assumed two of the same species would most likely fight. Now I'm tempted to add another little one. They're just so danged cute it'll be hard to resist!

I knew all along that they'd be hit-or-miss with regards to the coral nipping. I've had luck in the past with Flame's and Coral Beauties, so I guess I'm willing to roll the dice once again.

Marie- sounds like you've had a busy year. Good luck with the palm trees and grass skirts. As for the other thing: I can't imagine that a woman who works in a bakery stays single for very long. :D