Flame Angelfish

[Fish Fanatic]

What is your opinion on flame angelfish? They are, in my opinion, the coolest looking fish, but I dont know if I should put one in my saltwater reef tank. I have two yellow tail damsels, one three striped damsel, three black and white clownfish, and a yellow watchman goby. Do you think the angelfish would get along with these fish?

 

[salt newbie01]

As far as the reef tank goes it is hit or miss with flame angels. I had one a long time ago and he worked out well never nipped at any thing. But I know of others that they have been bad coral nippers. I have heard if you keep them fat and happy they will not nip. The more my tank gets established the less I want to take a chance on one. I do agree they are one of the coolest fish but I would have a very hard time catching a fish in my 120 if I decided to evict one of my residents. How big is your tank? I have never kept any damsel fish. I have always heard they were too aggressive. With that said I am not sure how they would react to a flame angel. I would think a lot would depend on how big the tank and how established the damsels are. Best of luck to you. My .02

 

[Fish Fanatic]

My tank is thirty to forty gallons.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

So you have six fish in a "thirty to forty" gallon tank? First off damsels are pretty notorious for their aggressiveness. I'd leave them to species tanks really. Second, three clowns (95 percent of the time) will not last, you'll end up with two and there's no excuse for it. Lastly, that's a lot of fish already in your tank. I would look at getting rid of the damsels and a clown before you look at any more fish, let alone an angelfish. I know it's all about learning, so take this constructively and learn from it.

 

[drainbamage]

I wouldn't recommend a flame angel in a younger tank (believe you said yours was 2 months old, right?) especially as it's already pretty well stocked.

What are your plans for the tank as far as corals go? Going to affect if the flame would be a good choice or not.

 

[Fish Fanatic]

I plan on selling a clown fish and might get rid of the three striped damsel. How many fish would you keep in a thirty to forty gallon tank? And what do you mean there's no excuse for a third clownfish not making it?

 

[Fish Fanatic]

I plan on sticking with a mixed coral reef tank. All the corals in the tank will be easy to grow and hardy.

 

[Tabasco1]

Very cool fish. Do you know if your tank is 30 gallons or 40 gallons? I think it would actually make a difference. If you keep 4 fish and add the angel makes 5 fish that will probably get 3" or bigger... I'd say Definately not in a 30. And some would say you'd be pushing it in a 40 since you have to keep in mind the full grown size of the fish or plan for an upgrade.

 

[Fish Fanatic]

I'm almost sure its forty. The guy that gave it to me said he was pretty sure it was forty.

 

[drainbamage]

I plan on selling a clown fish and might get rid of the three striped damsel. How many fish would you keep in a thirty to forty gallon tank? And what do you mean there's no excuse for a third clownfish not making it?

Typically in a smaller tank like yours (or nano-tank if you prefer) more than 2 clownfish will not survive together- they need a large grouping to establish their social hierarchy, in small groups one is almost always beaten to death by the two dominants. I believe the "no excuse" is in reference to keeping 3 together and hoping for the best when most likely one will be lost due to potentially negligent fish-keeping.

A decent rule of thumb is one fish per ten gallons- so in your case I would advise no more than 3 or 4 fish, all of which stay relatively small (2 inches at the most.) Crowding much more and you'll not have good odds for success.

I plan on sticking with a mixed coral reef tank. All the corals in the tank will be easy to grow and hardy.

I'm sorry- I can't really help much with that sort of information. Take a browse through the forums here and read about some of the different corals out there- once you have an idea of ones that you definitely want to keep, it'll be easier for us to offer you more detailed advice. Right now I can tell you that if you stick with xenia, GSP, and leathers, most likely the flame will be ok.

Very cool fish. Do you know if your tank is 30 gallons or 40 gallons? I think it would actually make a difference. If you keep 4 fish and add the angel makes 5 fish that will probably get 3" or bigger... I'd say Definately not in a 30. And some would say you'd be pushing it in a 40 since you have to keep in mind the full grown size of the fish or plan for an upgrade.

+1

 

[drainbamage]

I'm almost sure its forty. The guy that gave it to me said he was pretty sure it was forty.

measure it- Length x width x height (of the water volume, measured in inches) and then divide that number by 231. That'll give you your gallons. The more you can find out about the tank and setup the better of you'll be- the more you know about what you're working with, the better off you'll be.

 

[Fish Fanatic]

I have four types of polyps, some candy canes, some hammer, some devil's hand, some xenia tree, and a few others. I dont plan on adding much more.

 

[Fish Fanatic]

It's pretty close to forty gallons. Like thirty-nine or something.

 

[drainbamage]

I have four types of polyps, saome candy canes, some hammer, some devil's hand, some xenia tree, and a few others. I dont plan on adding much more.

the flame's a risk for nipping at the hammer and candy canes- but could also go after the polyps. However many consider them reef safe, it's one of those where you end up rolling the dice.

 

[Fish Fanatic]

I think I might try him. I just dont want to overcrowd my tank.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

I believe the "no excuse" is in reference to keeping 3 together and hoping for the best when most likely one will be lost due to potentially negligent fish-keeping.

This is what I meant.

Dwarf angels will typically nip at LPS corals and clams. If you plan on keeping LPS (which you are), they are at risk. Some fish will eat them, some couldn't care less. It's your call.

 

[drainbamage]

I think I might try him. I just dont want to overcrowd my tank.

until you get rid of some of your fish, especially given the age of the tank- it already IS overcrowded IMO, so be careful. Flames are hardy compared to some of the dwarf angels, but in the general scheme of things are still a fairly delicate fish.