Matt L.
Non-member
Okay, as promissed from a while back, I wanted to bring up the topic of large angelfish in a reef aquarium...
I know that some local members have succesfully kept large angelfish (i.e., angelfish other than the Centropyge sp. dwarf angels we are more accustomed to) in their reef aquarium.
This came as a suprise to me, as I had come up through the hobby with the notion that large angelfish were wildly reef-unsafe. After researching on the web, I have found this to not necessarily be true.
In fact, I also came up through the hobby with the notion that certain dwarf angels were most likely to tear your clams and corals to pieces, but now on my second dwarf angelfish, I have also found this to be untrue, both from my own experience and from the experience of others in the club. Based on the size and habits of the large angelfish in question here (none of them happen to be planktonovores), I realize that they are a greater risk, but I ask how much of a risk, and more importantly, to what? My tank is predominantly SPS with some Tridacna sp. clams. If the hypothetical angelfish I choose is only unsafe around LPS corals, then I shan't have much to worry about, right?
Based on all of this, I feel like I have additional options with regards to what many traditionally call the centrpiece fish of the tank.
My tank is 90gal, and I had in my mind which fish I wanted to add and in what order to start. I have two black false percula clownfish, a flame angel, and a copperbanded butterfly. All seem to be doing very well. I figure I have room for one large fish, and maybe one more medium-sized fish.
The medium-sized fish (that will need to be added before the large fish) will be saved for a separate discussion, and I was considering maybe another butterflyfish...
Anyhow, back to the large (a/k/a centerpiece) fish, the thought all along was to try a Poweder Blue Tang. Because of my lighting and other fish, I really wanted the centerpiece fish to be blue or mostly blue in colour. I cannot buy another Pallette tang after my fish died during the tank move. That fish meant a lot and even though its personality was always too skittish for my liking, I just can't replace it.
I know Powder Blues can be aggressive, and I have always been fascinated by large angelfish, so I want to give them due consideration. Therefore, for the large fish, I found only the following fish to be remotely acceptable in terms of: 1) their maximum size (10" or less), 2) Reef Safety, and 3) desired colouration:
The Powder Blue Tang:
Notes: The reef safest and bluish, but concerned about the "hyperactive" swimming pattern of tangs and aggression.
The Majestic Angel:
Notes: Although not all that much blue, the colouration is still ideal to me. Many have kept with success. I am concerned about outgrowing of the tank, and my clam mantles.
The Maculosus Angel:
Notes: From what I read, one of the hardiest angelfish, and definitely blue. Less ornate than the Majestic Angelfish, and also apparently is a less active swimmer, but I have hear reports of it growing to 10" or even 12" which might make it too big.
The Regal Angel:
Note: I just thought I would throw this one in here. I think it is a heartbreakingly beautiful fish, but just that, heartbreakingly. Accounts of people being able to keep these fish alive are few and far between.
Okay, that should be enough to get the discussion going,
Matt
I know that some local members have succesfully kept large angelfish (i.e., angelfish other than the Centropyge sp. dwarf angels we are more accustomed to) in their reef aquarium.
This came as a suprise to me, as I had come up through the hobby with the notion that large angelfish were wildly reef-unsafe. After researching on the web, I have found this to not necessarily be true.
In fact, I also came up through the hobby with the notion that certain dwarf angels were most likely to tear your clams and corals to pieces, but now on my second dwarf angelfish, I have also found this to be untrue, both from my own experience and from the experience of others in the club. Based on the size and habits of the large angelfish in question here (none of them happen to be planktonovores), I realize that they are a greater risk, but I ask how much of a risk, and more importantly, to what? My tank is predominantly SPS with some Tridacna sp. clams. If the hypothetical angelfish I choose is only unsafe around LPS corals, then I shan't have much to worry about, right?
Based on all of this, I feel like I have additional options with regards to what many traditionally call the centrpiece fish of the tank.
My tank is 90gal, and I had in my mind which fish I wanted to add and in what order to start. I have two black false percula clownfish, a flame angel, and a copperbanded butterfly. All seem to be doing very well. I figure I have room for one large fish, and maybe one more medium-sized fish.
The medium-sized fish (that will need to be added before the large fish) will be saved for a separate discussion, and I was considering maybe another butterflyfish...
Anyhow, back to the large (a/k/a centerpiece) fish, the thought all along was to try a Poweder Blue Tang. Because of my lighting and other fish, I really wanted the centerpiece fish to be blue or mostly blue in colour. I cannot buy another Pallette tang after my fish died during the tank move. That fish meant a lot and even though its personality was always too skittish for my liking, I just can't replace it.
I know Powder Blues can be aggressive, and I have always been fascinated by large angelfish, so I want to give them due consideration. Therefore, for the large fish, I found only the following fish to be remotely acceptable in terms of: 1) their maximum size (10" or less), 2) Reef Safety, and 3) desired colouration:
The Powder Blue Tang:
Notes: The reef safest and bluish, but concerned about the "hyperactive" swimming pattern of tangs and aggression.
The Majestic Angel:
Notes: Although not all that much blue, the colouration is still ideal to me. Many have kept with success. I am concerned about outgrowing of the tank, and my clam mantles.
The Maculosus Angel:
Notes: From what I read, one of the hardiest angelfish, and definitely blue. Less ornate than the Majestic Angelfish, and also apparently is a less active swimmer, but I have hear reports of it growing to 10" or even 12" which might make it too big.
The Regal Angel:
Note: I just thought I would throw this one in here. I think it is a heartbreakingly beautiful fish, but just that, heartbreakingly. Accounts of people being able to keep these fish alive are few and far between.
Okay, that should be enough to get the discussion going,
Matt
