Dwarf angel tank

[Steve Dillon]

Is it possible? And what's the best steps to take?

 

[Joeganja]

Is this going to be a reef? And how big?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Is it possible? And what's the best steps to take?

Possible? Yes, but what is the goal? Reef tank? Multiple angels? What is the tank size?

 

[Steve Dillon]

Is this going to be a reef? And how big?

Non reef 90 gallons

 

[Steve Dillon]

Possible? Yes, but what is the goal? Reef tank? Multiple angels? What is the tank size?

Yes a few angels.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Adding the angels simultaneously will help cut down on aggression. Getting the tanks biological filtration built up beforehand will help ease any water parameter swings that could cause added stress to them.

 

[Brew12]

Most of the rules to keeping fish say that you should keep only keep 1 angel in a tank. Many people successfully keep a few dwarf angels in a tank that size. Others can't keep 2 in a tank twice that size.
I believe the main problem is that no one has bothered to teach these rules to the fish. Because of this, each fish may act differently and you really won't know until you try.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Most of the rules to keeping fish say that you should keep only keep 1 angel in a tank. Many people successfully keep a few dwarf angels in a tank that size. Others can't keep 2 in a tank twice that size.
I believe the main problem is that no one has bothered to teach these rules to the fish. Because of this, each fish may act differently and you really won't know until you try.

I have found that if an angelfish is in a tank, as the only angel, it views the whole tank as it's own and is very aggressive towards any angels that are later added. If multiple angels are added simultaneously, then they each stake their own territory and set up a hierarchy and are able to coexist.

Three dwarf angels should be able to coexist in a 90.

 

[Brew12]

Three dwarf angels should be able to coexist in a 90.

Completely agree however if you look at the description of a dwarf angel on many websites they say they should not be kept together. Since the fish don't know they should be kept singly, people have a good shot at keeping them in small groups as long as certain precautions are taken. Adding them at the same time and keeping them well fed are probably the best precautions.

 

[4FordFamily]

I have found that if an angelfish is in a tank, as the only angel, it views the whole tank as it's own and is very aggressive towards any angels that are later added. If multiple angels are added simultaneously, then they each stake their own territory and set up a hierarchy and are able to coexist.

Three dwarf angels should be able to coexist in a 90.

My experience exactly. I've even kept more than one flame together but once the third died the remaining two kicked up the aggression and I needed to separate. But mixing species is relatively easy if added at the same time as said. IME the more of them you have the less aggression or bullying problem you'll experience. Make sure your system can handle this many dwarf angels it'll need to be cycled for months and disease free as many dwarf angels are pretty sensitive until established.

 

[4FordFamily]

Completely agree however if you look at the description of a dwarf angel on many websites they say they should not be kept together. Since the fish don't know they should be kept singly, people have a good shot at keeping them in small groups as long as certain precautions are taken. Adding them at the same time and keeping them well fed are probably the best precautions.

Online is correct as it pertains to two, although I've kept a potters and a flame, two potters, and even a trio of potters for a year or more without issue on a few occasions. I had a coral beauty in there too throughout most of that time. Velvet eventually found its way in to one group, on another my heater died on vacation (honeymoon) and that was all she wrote for the potters trio.

 

[spartanman22]

I agree that in order to maintain success with multiple Angels they need to be added either simultaneously or very near each other. I had a swallowtail (female), potters, golden, and Multibar in an 80. There was some aggression from the swallowtail as she was more than twice the size of the rest, but she was just mean to every fish. No more aggression towards the dwarfs than there was to the wrasses. The three dwarfs got along fine.

I also will generally try to find small (1.5-2") individuals whenever adding a new dwarf. I think this helps a bit. They get to grow-up used to other dwarfs nearby.

 

[CPL376]

Hi. I've been reading R2R for quite some time until now I haven't felt the urge to post. I can tell you though a multiple angel tank is possible and not as difficult as it is made out to be. I currently have a flame, potters, ebely ,(sp) coral beauty, lemon peel, and a rusty all coexisting in a 75 gal fowler and behaving wonderfully. I will tell you that the hardest part was the quarantine. You will need multiple tanks. And if one goes bad you have to start the process all over again. Because you will need to introduce them at the same time so that none have the territory staked out. It will work is working and the results are a very colorful aquarium

 

[fragapple]

I've had 4 dwarf angels (flame, nox, elbi and coral beauty)for 2.5yrs in a sps dominated tank without any aggression issues they were all added at different times!

 

[Steve Dillon]

Thank you all.. I think I'm going to give it a go..