Calling all Centropyge harem owners

[OrionN]

I wouldn't worry about it changing into male if you keep it in a set up like that. The small one is absolutely tiny, good call on keeping them separated. Probably needs some bulk to survive the normal bickering of a flame angel pair.

I am not sure about in small tanks less than 65 gal, but in a 65 gal or larger, adding two or more Flame angel together is absolutely no problem. They may run at each other but never land a blow. The dominant one only do it halfheartedly, and the smaller one just do a quick dart in direction change and get away. Never prolong chasing. I added tiny Flame angel to a large establish pair with absolutely no problem. It is hard to get Flame angel in Corpus Christi, I often order tiny Flame angels from Live Aquaria when they have a sale. This was how I establish my harem. My Flame Back, I got from Salty Fish and Aquarium, a new LFS here in Corpus Christi.

 

[pcon]

I am not sure about in small tanks less than 65 gal, but in a 65 gal or larger, adding two or more Flame angel together is absolutely no problem. They may run at each other but never land a blow. The dominant one only do it halfheartedly, and the smaller one just do a quick dart in direction change and get away. Never prolong chasing. I added tiny Flame angel to a large establish pair with absolutely no problem. It is hard to get Flame angel in Corpus Christi, I often order tiny Flame angels from Live Aquaria when they have a sale. This was how I establish my harem. My Flame Back, I got from Salty Fish and Aquarium, a new LFS here in Corpus Christi.

This may be your experience but is not 100% true across all flames or all dwarf angels. I have had flame pairs where a large dominant obvious male was added at the same time with a tiny obvious female, and the male tore the females fins to shreds in hours and this was in a 125gal tank. I have had large-tiny pairings work as well, another large male was the most gentle I have ever seen an angel to that tiny female a couple weeks later. but it is not 100%. I have also had 2 females even with about an inch size difference fight to the death in a similarly large tank. I have had similar problems across other sexable species. so not all are 100% compatible no fighting in a sizable tank, some pairs go south for no apparent reason.

 

[OrionN]

I have keep marine aquarium since 1980. I always have harem of Flame angels 90+ percent of the time and never have a mortality due to fighting. Also I never have significant fighting.
I never keep them in tanks smaller than 65 gal. I am not saying that it cannot be done, just that I have never done it.

 

[Hida Kisada]

Hi, found this thread late

I currently have in my tank the following dwarf angelfish

1x coral beauty
1x tiger tail coral beauty
1x woodheadi angelfish
1x deborae angelfish
2x yellowfin angelfish
1x lemonpeel angelfish
1x flameback angelfish
1x cherub angelfish
1x midnight angelfish
1x bluefinned angelfish
2x eibli angelfish
1x white tailed pygmy angelfish
1x rusty angelfish
1x biology angelfish
1x keyhole angelfish
1x multicolour angelfish

I have only angelfish in the tank and have a set routine of how I add the fish after quarantined.
Aggression is non existent or it lasts no more than a few mins.
Im looking at adding the following after Xmas
2x flame angelfish
1x multicolour angelfish
1x rusty angelfish
2x potters angelfish when available

These angels are also spawning on a weekly basis but I don't currently have any facilities to raise any fry.
Tank is currently 72"*24"*24" with 2x boxes of tmc's ecoreef rocks and a centrepiece.

hope this helps
Terry