Small genicanthus in a 42g tank

[brett559]

Any chance I could add a small genicanthus angel to my 42g tank (30x30x18)?

I know they get large - the idea would be to add a baby one. Thinking about perhaps a female bellus or masked swallowtail.

I'm too afraid to add a dwarf angel since I have lots of zoas and fleshy LPS corals right now.

What do you guys think?

[Half Vaped]

A Bellus might actually work out for a few years before it gets too big (if ever). I find that they grow very slowly--nothing like the growth of Tangs or other Angels. An LFS near me kept a Bellus for over six years that's maybe four inches. They told me it has barely grown in that time. I've had mine maybe nine months and has barely grown any bigger than the three inches it was when I got it. Eats very well and is fat, just not really growing.

I've had a African Flameback for over a year in my 28G that hasn't touched any of my softy/LPS/SPS corals. It is, however, aggressive to fish that get bullied easily, but respects fish that can stand up for themselves.

[CoralsAddiction]

I had an adult Eiblie angel in that same tank and it looked small in it. Also, tried a genicanthus in 4ft 60 gallon...still was small for it. A flameback or Cherub would be happier in that tank.

[brett559]

How reef-safe are cherubs and flamebacks?

[Cliving1]

Both safe. Although I have heard stories when they can be quite mean.

[Half Vaped]

How reef-safe are cherubs and flamebacks?

I only have experience with the African Flameback, which has been safe with corals for over a year so far. They're supposed to be a little more reef safe than the Brazilian Flameback and a little less aggressive than the Cherub.

But I can attest to their potential meanness. What other fish are you keeping in there?

[brett559]

I only have experience with the African Flameback, which has been safe with corals for over a year so far. They're supposed to be a little more reef safe than the Brazilian Flameback and a little less aggressive than the Cherub.



But I can attest to their potential meanness. What other fish are you keeping in there?


Two wrasses, one clown, hogfish, hawkfish, firefish

[Half Vaped]

The Clown, Hogfish and Hawkfish will likely be fine. I'd be worried about the Firefish and the Wrasses if they're Possums or a Pink-Streak. Mine has killed a Canary Blenny and Midas Blenny and tried to kill a Tanaka Possum Wrasse before I rescued it. It gets along with a Blue-Dashed Blenny, Banggai Cardinal, Six-Line Wrasse and Wheeler's Goby.

How about a captive bred Coral Beauty? Wild Coral Beauties are only slightly less reef safe than Flamebacks and tend to be a lot friendlier. I assume captive bred ones should be even more well-behaved overall. I got a Biota Bonsai Coral Beauty in my 40 Breeder and it's been a model citizen so far. For a month.

[CoralsAddiction]

How reef-safe are cherubs and flamebacks?

Cherubs are more reef safe. Both angels are beautiful. Cherubs tend to go in and out of rock more while Flamebacks can be open swimmers.