Which angel?

[Dan9]

I am currently thinking of my next fish to add to my tank. I like dwarf angels but am not sure which one. I am eventually going to be adding corals but don't have any yet. I know that angels tend to pick on corals sometimes but I'm willing to take some risk because I really like these fish. I also know they are hit or miss. Which kind of dwarf angel do most people have luck with. I like flame, coral beauty, and bicolor but am up for other suggestions as well. I read that bicolor angels aren't good for beginners but don't really know why. I am still learning as my tank has only been set up for 2-3 months. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

[Kahuna Tuna]

The most reef safe dwarves are the Argi complex, the cherub, the flamebacks, and the replendent, all from the tropical Atlantic. Of the species you mentioned the coral beauty is the safest, flames are hit and miss, and bicolors are not only hard to keep but usually very destructive in a reef. Most of the bicolors in the trade come from the Phillipines and Indonesia which may account for their high mortality rate. I would also let the tank mature for a while before you add any angel, this seems to be key in helping any angel survive.

[triggerfish1976]

I agree with Kahuna Tuna. Pygmy Angels like to pick on live rock for algae and other small inverts so I would wait another 3 months and give your rock additional time to mature.

Here my expriences with various Pygmy Angels:

Potters Angel - My all time favorite but I have never been able to find a healthy speciman that lasted more than 6 months. The specimans I have kept didn't do much damage to corals.
Interruptus Angel - Beautiful but expensive. Picked on Zoa's, fleshy LPS and zenia.
Coral Beauty - Kept one of these 10 years ago. It picked on some Zenia I had but nothing else. Fairly hardy fish.
Flame Angel - Didn't hurt any corals but was pretty agressive to other fish in the tank.
Lemonpeel - Delicate fish but beautiful bright yellow colors. I was able to keep one for about 2 years but it eventually died for no apparent reason. Picked on some corals but never did any serious damage.

Most of the pygmy's I have kept usually took a week or two before they would start eating prepared foods. I have had some that refused to eat prep. foods entirely like the potters so it is important to make sure that you buy a speciman that is eating at the store.

[john37]

flame angel or potter's would be my pick. Flames are easier to get to eat. Both are beautiful.

[Dan9]

Thanks. My live rock is very esablished because I bought it from someone who had it for years. Would that make the wait time shorter or would you still recommend waiting for a while. Thanks again

[triggerfish1976]

If you don't plan on getting a potters, lemonpeel, or bicolor you might ok because most other pymy's have better track records with accepting prepared foods.

[Gundo5000]

My flame was no where near reef safe, He would not leave my clam and sps alone so I quickly removed him. I thought the same way, that it was worth a try. It didn't work out for me.

[gary faulkner]

Love my Flame Angel. wouldn't trade him for anything.

I think they are less aggressive when the have other tankmates to keep them busy.

[baondayko]

I second the flame angel. Not aggressive. At least mine is has a good temper :)

[jpslickorocks]

check out the swallow tail angels or zebra angels. Depending on how big your tank is they couls be good choices

[Nemoislame]

I have a coral beauty and flame angel in my reef tank with no problems. I like the look of Potter's angels a lot.