Which reef-safe angel is your favorite?

ECU_Pirate · 08/16/2017, 08:25 AM

I'm trying to decide between the following:

Lamarck's
Spotbreast
Watanabei
Bellus

this is me · 08/16/2017, 08:57 AM

"reef safe" is really depending on what you're keeping and how picking you are with the way your corals look.
With that said, my favorite angelfish that I can tolerate in my reef is
-Regal angelfish. Have never had any issue with them.
-Interrupta angelfish.
-Personatus angelfish

nereefpat · 08/16/2017, 12:22 PM

I love the 4 you listed. Lamarck is the most bland. A male G. watanabei is a showstopper.

Reef908 · 08/16/2017, 02:35 PM

My regal has been a model citizen for about 8 months now. I currently have a male spotbreast going through QT so hopefully the trend will continue with him.

Greybeard · 08/16/2017, 02:41 PM

I'm a fan of Lamarck's. Subtle, OK, but still very pretty, and easy to keep.

Can't really go wrong with any of your four choices. Watanabei and Bellus are pretty. I'm not much on Spotbreast, just don't do it for me.

Kies1 · 08/16/2017, 04:55 PM

I love my spotbreast. Great fish always active

d-man · 08/16/2017, 08:22 PM

Semifasciatus takes second to the personatus

McPuff · 08/16/2017, 09:42 PM

Late this year I plan to try a blueface and an annularis as small juveniles. I'm hopeful that their small sizes and huge coral sizes will work out nicely. If not, then I'll just adjust what corals I keep. But I have seen a number of SPS dominant reefs that have multiple large angels... so I agree with the above post, that it depends on what you call reef safe. :0)

Half Vaped · 08/17/2017, 12:12 AM

If you can only have one, go for a female Bellus. If you get a pair or trio, go with the Watanabe. Watanabe males look amazing, but I prefer Bellus females over Watanabe females. Bellus males, I don't really care for.

ThRoewer · 08/19/2017, 12:44 PM

I would always go with Regal Angels. I have 5 and none of them has done any harm to SPS. Even the few LPS I have are only minimally harrassed. My Regals even have little interest in zoas. In fact, their favorite foods are flakes and pellets and also pretty much all types of macro algae.

That said, I've seen some of my Regals pick on SPS, but closer examination revealed that they were going after some pods on the Coral rather than the Coral itself.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

OrionN · 08/20/2017, 09:04 AM

I agree ^^^
Regal are my favorites. I also love Flame which is reefsafe in my tanks and Watanabei

jar41 · 08/20/2017, 10:00 AM

wish i had a bigger tank! bellus or regal are so nice.in 60 hard to get anything....

OrionN · 08/20/2017, 10:40 AM

Cherub Angel for a 60 gal tank is good IMO.

Bobbitworm13 · 08/20/2017, 01:58 PM

Cherubs are great, mine doesn't bother my zoas or mushroom

64Ivy · 08/22/2017, 10:51 AM

Regals are my favorite too but in spite of all the anecdotal evidence to the contrary, I'm still not convinced they're completely 'reef safe'. Therefore, and because I've kept them successfully in a sps dominant reef for a few years now, I'm gonna have to go with the G.semifasciatus.

ct_vol · 08/23/2017, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by this is me

"reef safe" is really depending on what you're keeping and how picking you are with the way your corals look.
With that said, my favorite angelfish that I can tolerate in my reef is
-Regal angelfish. Have never had any issue with them.
-Interrupta angelfish.
-Personatus angelfish

Interrupta are one of my favorites along with Conspicillatus.

Brian01 · 08/25/2017, 08:25 AM

I have 3, used to be 2 females and a male, now is 3 females. Can still barely see the male stripes on the one that switched. Too bad, the male was amazing, subtle blue tinting. A few others have noted this as well, I didn't realize it when I first got them (!) Great tank citizens, very active but peaceful, but keep in mind the usual warning that "reef safe" does not mean perfect. Mine do occasionally nip at sps. Keeping them well fed keeps this to a minimum, I've gone to dropping a few pellets in with an auto feeder 3 times a day, plus regular frozen feedings. The angels still nip occasionally, but not enough that the corals show damage or keep their polyps retracted.
I had a watanabe in the past, stunning, but he was very shy when the lights were up, came out in the mornings and evenings. I had to chase him around a bit to keep him fed.

ca1ore · 08/25/2017, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64Ivy

Regals are my favorite too but in spite of all the anecdotal evidence to the contrary, I'm still not convinced they're completely 'reef safe'.

You are right, they are not. Close enough to be worth it though ......

I could not possibly pick one, Currently I have a regal, flame, potters, lemonpeel and rock beauty ..... none of which are truly reef safe. But they're all awesome.

ReefTeacher · 08/27/2017, 10:09 PM

I have had a few Regals over the years. Zoos are lunch. My last one I just had to sell ate sarcophyton. But they are so beautiful they are worth the risk!

suta4242 · 08/29/2017, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

You are right, they are not. Close enough to be worth it though ......

I could not possibly pick one, Currently I have a regal, flame, potters, lemonpeel and rock beauty ..... none of which are truly reef safe. But they're all awesome.

Nice list. I would add Centropyge colini on the 'usually' well behaved list.

OrionN · 05/15/2018, 04:33 AM

In addition to Regal and Flame I love Majestic Angel. I had luck with them in my 420 years ago. The one Majestic I tried in my 320 have to be remove in short order. He went after SPS and clams. I have tried to get Regal Angels since and have not get back to Majestic. They are beautiful and graceful angels (both Majestic and Regal)

Dmorty217 · 05/15/2018, 07:28 AM

Reef safe is a relative term that means a array of different things... I like Emperor, Venustus, and Personifer.

kennytze · 05/15/2018, 09:13 AM

I have a male Zebra and Lamarck's, Spotbreast and Bellus, all females in a 180gal mixed reef tank for almost two years now. They have been model citizens so far. Of the four you have listed I would go:
1. Male Watanabei
2.Lamarck's female
3.Bellus female
4.Spotbreast female

Ryan Darilek · 08/22/2019, 09:33 AM

I agree ... reef safe is a relative term. I have a Queen in my mixed reef and she is a model citizen! IMG_0778.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

kennytze · 08/22/2019, 11:58 AM

I have:
1.Male and female Zebra
2.Lamarck's female
3.Bellus female
4.Spotbreast female
these fish are trouble free in my Mixed Reef.

I also have a Goldflake Angel. so far no problems, knock on wood.

08/16/2017, 08:25 AM	#1
ECU_Pirate Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 76	Which reef-safe angel is your favorite? I'm trying to decide between the following: Lamarck's Spotbreast Watanabei Bellus

08/16/2017, 08:57 AM	#2
this is me Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MA Posts: 4,074	"reef safe" is really depending on what you're keeping and how picking you are with the way your corals look. With that said, my favorite angelfish that I can tolerate in my reef is -Regal angelfish. Have never had any issue with them. -Interrupta angelfish. -Personatus angelfish __________________ Nick When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's $4.95 per minute. Current Tank Info: Miracle 360 gallons Last edited by this is me; 08/17/2017 at 07:53 AM.

08/16/2017, 12:22 PM	#3
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I love the 4 you listed. Lamarck is the most bland. A male G. watanabei is a showstopper. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

08/16/2017, 02:35 PM	#4
Reef908 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Atlanta Posts: 224	My regal has been a model citizen for about 8 months now. I currently have a male spotbreast going through QT so hopefully the trend will continue with him. __________________ Tank: 180 Gallon Mixed Reef; Fish: Hoeven's Wrasse, Red Sea Regal Angel, spot breast angel, Green Wrasse, Juvi Aussie Harlequin Tusk, tangs: powder blue, desjardini, purple, tomini

08/19/2017, 12:44 PM	#10
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	I would always go with Regal Angels. I have 5 and none of them has done any harm to SPS. Even the few LPS I have are only minimally harrassed. My Regals even have little interest in zoas. In fact, their favorite foods are flakes and pellets and also pretty much all types of macro algae. That said, I've seen some of my Regals pick on SPS, but closer examination revealed that they were going after some pods on the Coral rather than the Coral itself. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

08/16/2017, 02:41 PM	#5
Greybeard Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo, MO Posts: 651	I'm a fan of Lamarck's. Subtle, OK, but still very pretty, and easy to keep. Can't really go wrong with any of your four choices. Watanabei and Bellus are pretty. I'm not much on Spotbreast, just don't do it for me.

08/16/2017, 04:55 PM	#6
Kies1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 544	I love my spotbreast. Great fish always active

08/16/2017, 08:22 PM	#7
d-man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, ca Posts: 2,732	Semifasciatus takes second to the personatus

08/16/2017, 09:42 PM	#8
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Late this year I plan to try a blueface and an annularis as small juveniles. I'm hopeful that their small sizes and huge coral sizes will work out nicely. If not, then I'll just adjust what corals I keep. But I have seen a number of SPS dominant reefs that have multiple large angels... so I agree with the above post, that it depends on what you call reef safe. :0)

08/17/2017, 12:12 AM	#9
Half Vaped Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 401	If you can only have one, go for a female Bellus. If you get a pair or trio, go with the Watanabe. Watanabe males look amazing, but I prefer Bellus females over Watanabe females. Bellus males, I don't really care for.

08/20/2017, 09:04 AM	#11
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	I agree ^^^ Regal are my favorites. I also love Flame which is reefsafe in my tanks and Watanabei __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

08/20/2017, 10:00 AM	#12
jar41 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Chicago Posts: 140	wish i had a bigger tank! bellus or regal are so nice.in 60 hard to get anything....

08/20/2017, 10:40 AM	#13
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	Cherub Angel for a 60 gal tank is good IMO. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

08/20/2017, 01:58 PM	#14
Bobbitworm13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Russell Springs, KY Posts: 330	Cherubs are great, mine doesn't bother my zoas or mushroom

08/22/2017, 10:51 AM	#15
64Ivy B'rer Reefer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 3,194	Regals are my favorite too but in spite of all the anecdotal evidence to the contrary, I'm still not convinced they're completely 'reef safe'. Therefore, and because I've kept them successfully in a sps dominant reef for a few years now, I'm gonna have to go with the G.semifasciatus. __________________ Be Kind To The Elderly. Life Without Parole Means Nothing To Us. ToTM 3-03 Current Tank Info: Between tanks. Searching for a home

08/25/2017, 08:25 AM	#17
Brian01 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37	Spotbreast are great I have 3, used to be 2 females and a male, now is 3 females. Can still barely see the male stripes on the one that switched. Too bad, the male was amazing, subtle blue tinting. A few others have noted this as well, I didn't realize it when I first got them (!) Great tank citizens, very active but peaceful, but keep in mind the usual warning that "reef safe" does not mean perfect. Mine do occasionally nip at sps. Keeping them well fed keeps this to a minimum, I've gone to dropping a few pellets in with an auto feeder 3 times a day, plus regular frozen feedings. The angels still nip occasionally, but not enough that the corals show damage or keep their polyps retracted. I had a watanabe in the past, stunning, but he was very shy when the lights were up, came out in the mornings and evenings. I had to chase him around a bit to keep him fed.

08/27/2017, 10:09 PM	#19
ReefTeacher Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 358	I have had a few Regals over the years. Zoos are lunch. My last one I just had to sell ate sarcophyton. But they are so beautiful they are worth the risk!

05/15/2018, 04:33 AM	#21
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	In addition to Regal and Flame I love Majestic Angel. I had luck with them in my 420 years ago. The one Majestic I tried in my 320 have to be remove in short order. He went after SPS and clams. I have tried to get Regal Angels since and have not get back to Majestic. They are beautiful and graceful angels (both Majestic and Regal) __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

05/15/2018, 07:28 AM	#22
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Reef safe is a relative term that means a array of different things... I like Emperor, Venustus, and Personifer. __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

05/15/2018, 09:13 AM	#23
kennytze Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Oak Forest, IL Posts: 44	I have a male Zebra and Lamarck's, Spotbreast and Bellus, all females in a 180gal mixed reef tank for almost two years now. They have been model citizens so far. Of the four you have listed I would go: 1. Male Watanabei 2.Lamarck's female 3.Bellus female 4.Spotbreast female

08/22/2019, 09:33 AM	#24
Ryan Darilek Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 376	I agree ... reef safe is a relative term. I have a Queen in my mixed reef and she is a model citizen! IMG_0778.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/22/2019, 11:58 AM	#25
kennytze Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Oak Forest, IL Posts: 44	I have: 1.Male and female Zebra 2.Lamarck's female 3.Bellus female 4.Spotbreast female these fish are trouble free in my Mixed Reef. I also have a Goldflake Angel. so far no problems, knock on wood.