Fins ablaze: Have you kept a Flame Angel?

[Peace River]

Fins ablaze: Have you kept a Flame Angel?

The Flame Angel, Centropyge loricula, is a very colorful dwarf angelfish and is recognizable for many marine fish keepers. Because of its smaller size it can be kept in a wide array of tanks ranging from mid-size to large tanks. Although not a fish for a nano-tank, these fish do not require a large tank that is appropriate for many marine angelfish. Once it settles in, The Flame Angel can be found swimming around the tank and picking at algae. However, be warned that they are considered semi-aggressive so be aware of the tank mates and order of introduction. Have you kept a Flame Angel? If so, please tell us about your experience and feel free to share tips with the R2R community!

Photo by Quality Marine / @Nutramar Foods


This QOTD is sponsored by Nutramar: https://www.qualitymarine.com/nutramar/

“Nutramar’s 100% natural food products are used by public aquaria and breeders around the world. They offer superior nutrition to your most finicky and delicate fish and invertebrates."

 

[SPS2020]

Stunning fish, IMO. I have had one Flame Angel in a mixed reef several years ago. In that scenario, he was a perfect tank mate with a Yellow Tang, two clowns and a couple of other fish. He (or she) did not pick on any corals including Acros. In my all-Acro tank, I'm not so sure I would be that trustworthy.

 

[albano]

Flame angel, in top 10 of my ‘must have’ list.
Have had at least 1 in at least 1 of my tanks since 1973!

As I recall, they were about $50 in ‘73, and stayed at that price until a few years ago.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If I had a bigger tank I would 100% own one in my tank

 

[KrisReef]

Twice. I thought that I got unlucky with the first little nipper so I tried a second one. After I had dismantled the tank to catch the second one I have not since considering trying a third flame

 

[Reefer911]

Went to the LFS the other day looking to get one but some e beat me to it. I’m in the market, but I also have a coral beauty, and lemon peel.

 

[rongy]

I always want to get one, but I got expensive Acantho, Scoly, and Indophyllia in my tank. I heard that they always nip on those meat corals. Anyone has success keeping one with meat corals?

 

[mrpontiac80]

I want one but nervous about the corals.

 

[Seancj]

One of my favorites! They have always been ideal tank mates in my experience. A beautiful and active fish that gives a much needed splash of fire red to the tank!
Unfortunately, I forgot to put the screen top back on my tank after a maintenance session and the flame decided that was the day he was going to jump. I didn't find him until later that evening.

 

[Reefer911]

One of my favorites! They have always been ideal tank mates in my experience. A beautiful and active fish that gives a much needed splash of fire red to the tank!
Unfortunately, I forgot to put the screen top back on my tank after a maintenance session and the flame decided that was the day he was going to jump. I didn't find him until later that evening.

That could happen to anyone I’m sure. Sorry for the loss

 

[kevgib67]

I had one decades ago, if I remember correctly it was a jerk but that color made up for it.

 

[Seancj]

That could happen to anyone I’m sure. Sorry for the loss

Thanks! Still, a bonehead oversight on my part and I still feel bad about. Cost a beautiful fish its life.

 

[mfinn]

I lost my last one. Had it for about 12 years. Haven't bought another yet, but plan to.
It is one of the fish that got me interested in saltwater back in the early 80's

 

[Ziggy17]

I currently house one in my Red Sea 300XL. It’s a model citizen with my corals, but he grouchy with any fish that have and red colouring. He chased my purple firefish around until the fire got fed up and jumped, and he only had a little red on him with more purple…. I have a tight lid on the tank, but found a small space where the light cutout was…. He now tries to bully the Lyretail Anthia that has a reddish colour to it, but the Anthia can hold it‘s own. But I now know that I can’t have the McKosker wrasse I really wanted, or any other red coloured wrasse, as he will just beat the snot out of it. So bummed about that.

I got the angel to eat the pineapple sponges and keep the rocks clean, which he is awesome at. Plus he’s always out in the open swimming and he’s awesome to look at with a good personality.

Great fish, just can’t house another red fish in my smaller sized tank. So there’s the rub.

zig.

 

[Reefer911]

I currently house one in my Red Sea 300XL. It’s a model citizen with my corals, but he grouchy with any fish that have and red colouring. He chased my purple firefish around until the fire got fed up and jumped, and he only had a little red on him with more purple…. I have a tight lid on the tank, but found a small space where the light cutout was…. He now tries to bully the Lyretail Anthia that has a reddish colour to it, but the Anthia can hold it‘s own. But I now know that I can’t have the McKosker wrasse I really wanted, or any other red coloured wrasse, as he will just beat the snot out of it. So bummed about that.

I got the angel to eat the pineapple sponges and keep the rocks clean, which he is awesome at. Plus he’s always out in the open swimming and he’s awesome to look at with a good personality.

Great fish, just can’t house another red fish in my smaller sized tank. So there’s the rub.

zig.

Didn’t know they went after like colors. Interesting

 

[ARCkeeper]

I got one as a rescue from someone getting out of the hobby, and nursed it through a bad case of HLLE. He lived in my 55 with two ocellaris clowns, a pearly jawfish, lawnmower blenny, tailspot blenny and six lined wrasse. He never bothered anyone and I never saw him bother my corals (Psammacora, LPS, and softies.

I don't know how old he was when I got him but he lived about six years with me. Beautiful fish and a model citizen. I will likely get another one day.

 

[Stealthreefer]

I tried putting one in with my eibli and he lasted about 6 months before he ended up in the sump. I gave him away eventually. He nipped softed corals not as bad as my clown tang which will eat "tree" corals given enough time.

 

[Brit’s Fish]

I have one in a 120g softie tank with a wide array of other fish. I took him in from a friend who was shutting his tank down and he’s been an angel. There were already larger established fish in the tank who were the bosses so he hasn’t had an attitude problem so far. He did probably eat all of my fireworks clove polyps but he’s pretty and well behaved so it’s okay.

 

[I never finish anythi]

I got one about a month ago , worse mistake I've made .
It hated my clowns and was constantly fighting them so I sold the clowns.
Now it picks on my chromis at lights out .
I've recently added a malanarus wrasse which ain't come out if the sand since I put it in on Friday . Probably scared of the flame angel. Time to get rid!!! If I can catch it

 

[Fungusamongus]

Trying to go for a more peaceful tank. The variability in their temperment makes me question if this would be a good fit. They are absolutely beautiful though.