Dwarf Angelfish for a Reef tank?

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

So they were in clients' tanks...did you see them physically eat and pick at the coral? And 3 different ones no less. That's quite impressive. :p

Yes, I did. Over and over again. In person and on DropCams. The species were: G. bellus (twice, both female), G. semifaciatus (male).

If you read what was written you'll note you're the only person that wrote "eat".

My spotted mandarin "picks" at corals, but he's not actually eating them, nor is he actually picking on them. :cool:

Do the corals close and never re-open again? Unlikely. When any fish picks at coral until they will not open again either the fish or coral should be removed. See the other example above I provided where I had to remove a green chromis and lyretail anthias. I have more random experiences, but those two probably caught me most off guard.

But I can say with certainty that genicanthus are much, much, much safer of a choice than any dwarf in the centropyge family.

Ah, yes. We're in agreement here. I did not state that they were not a good choice. They're likely the best choice for most reef keepers. I simply pointed out that they are not completely safe with coral based on first hand experience :)

 

[MrDJeep123]

Yes, I did. Over and over again. In person and on DropCams. The species were: G. bellus (twice, both female), G. semifaciatus (male).

If you read what was written you'll note you're the only person that wrote "eat".


Do the corals close and never re-open again? Unlikely. When any fish picks at coral until they will not open again either the fish or coral should be removed. See the other example above I provided where I had to remove a green chromis and lyretail anthias. I have more random experiences, but those two probably caught me most off guard.
Ah, yes. We're in agreement here. I did not state that they were not a good choice. They're likely the best choice for most reef keepers. I simply pointed out that they are not completely safe with coral based on first hand experience :)

Eat is synonymous with nip in the case of corals. I mean not full on buffet, but I think most can distinguish.

I was being sarcastic with my second statement. :D My point I was making is that mandarins have never in the history of having them eat coral. They eat...copepods/amphipods, etc. Where are they usually? Crawling around at the base and in some instances on corals themselves. Perhaps the angels were doing the same. Eating at or around where food may be present. But nom noming the corals themselves, probably not likely.

 

[Jonathan Dignon]

Are there any dwarf Angelfish that would be ok for a 40g reef tank?

Ever thought about a pigmy in my opinion they're not as agressive in smaller tanks. A pigmy is mare suitable if you are planning on stocking more docile fishes.

 

[JMLewis]

Well I don't like gambles do it looks like they will be a no go for the tank :/ off to find a different fish

Wise decision. I would love to put all sorts of dwarf angels in my tank, but without fail every time I've added a fish I was nervous about I regretted it eventually.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Eat is synonymous with nip in the case of corals.

Semantics aside, the point is that the fishes in question were picking at the coral to the point where they would no longer open. Thus leading to their removal.

 

[MrDJeep123]

What were the corals in question?

 

[Vaughn17]

So they were in clients' tanks...did you see them physically eat and pick at the coral? And 3 different ones no less. That's quite impressive. :p

My spotted mandarin "picks" at corals, but he's not actually eating them, nor is he actually picking on them. :cool:

Have crazier things happened? Sure. But I can say with certainty that genicanthus are much, much, much safer of a choice than any dwarf in the centropyge family.

I had a young genicanthus (swallowtail) that destroyed a cycloseris plate coral. In disbelief, I watched the fish eating it, waited a bit to see if I might be mistaken, found that I was not, went and had a good cry (not really, but I was sorely disapointed in that fish) and, of course, removed the coral and placed it in another tank (but it had sustained too much damage and later died). I agree that this was not normal behavior. The fish was extremely well fed, too, so go figure. Fish do the damndest things.

 

[MrDJeep123]

I had a young genicanthus (swallowtail) that destroyed a cycloseris plate coral. In disbelief, I watched the fish eating it, waited a bit to see if I might be mistaken, found that I was not, went and had a good cry (not really, but I was sorely disapointed in that fish) and, of course, removed the coral and placed it in another tank (but it had sustained too much damage and later died). I agree that this was not normal behavior. The fish was extremely well fed, too, so go figure. Fish do the damndest things.

See, I find that so bizarre. I'm not doubting either of you and your experience. I think it would be like getting to see a conditioned peppermint angel for $50. o_O

 

[ClearRain]

Since were on the topic, anyone ever had a Multibar in a reef?

 

[Vaughn17]

See, I find that so bizarre. I'm not doubting either of you and your experience. I think it would be like getting to see a conditioned peppermint angel for $50. o_O

I've seen the peppermint angel at the Honolulu aquarium. What a cool fish! For fifty bucks I would let it munch some of my corals, lol.

 

[MrDJeep123]

I've seen the peppermint angel at the Honolulu aquarium. What a cool fish! For fifty bucks I would let it munch some of my corals, lol.

As would I.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

What were the corals in question?

In one case it was an acro. The other two were various branching soft corals (Sinularia/Nepthea).

 

[cplatts32]

There's plenty other fish in the sea [emoji14] pick another, have had more bad luck than good with angels in a reef environment

 

[MrDJeep123]

In one case it was an acro. The other two were various branching soft corals (Sinularia/Nepthea).

Ah, I see. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Waters]

My dwarfs always went after the fleshy coral as well. It most cases, they aren't picking on the coral flesh itself, but eating the slime coating. Either way, it irritates the coral to the point where it stops expanding and slowly dies.

 

[Waters]

My dwarfs always went after the fleshy coral as well. It most cases, they aren't picking on the coral flesh itself, but eating the slime coating. Either way, it irritates the coral to the point where it stops expanding and slowly dies.

 

[Waters]

Oops sorry....double post.........

 

[jack89]

coral beauty and flame angel i have since quite long... they are well feed 2-3 times a day and never seen any one of them nipping corals...

i have all LPS ..

 

[Sews]

Ooocññw

 

[reesed5]

I just have some zoas and my utter chaos and scrambled eggs were lost because I had a salinity issue. They won't open again so I'm sure their dead, if they haven't opened in a week or so it's probably a good idea to take it our