Multiple dwarf Angels in a 180?

[mfinn]

In my tanks with dwarf angels, they would go around the tank grazing on live rock and would occasionally nip at a soft coral, which never seemed to affect it. They never went back to the same spot.
I've had other fish that seemed to develop a taste for a certain colony and they would go back repeatedly until the coral was dead and gone.

 

[NeuroticAquatics]

What you gotta recognize is the difference between a skirmish and a homicidal rampage.

How long would you give them to distinguish? I tried adding a Flame with my Rusty and Lamarks and the Rusty was on it immediately and was relentless chasing and nipping at the Flame. I gave it about half an hour and then rescued the Flame. There was zero chance of getting the aggressive Rusty (who is usually the most docile fish in my 240g).

 

[Trex]

Any issues with them nipping corals from anyone here? When they say "nipping" just how bad do they mean? Totally killing the coral? Temporarily annoying it? I can live with them ******* them off every now and again but not killing them off one by one type deal

Can see what these dwarfs were doing to my LPS --- it was completely full and healthy when I moved it to this tank. They left the other corals alone.

 

[earthbound]

A social acclimation box really helps if you can't add them all at once. It can be tricky but at one time I had 6 dwarfs in a 90g at once 2potters, multibar, whitetail pygmy, flame and a vanestus and all was good. I am now down to 3 as I added another whitetail pygmy and they mated and started spawning and wouldnt tolerate any of the others but the multibar for some reason, wierd I know. I have since added a majestic and a regal that coexsist perfectly. I have them all in a sps reef tank and while there is some coral nipping I have yet to see any lasting damage to the corals just reduced PE overall which is one of the compromises you should be prepared for if you want to keeps these beautiful fish in a reef tank. Anyways I wish you luck, the payoff is definitely worth it.

 

[Humblefish]

How long would you give them to distinguish? I tried adding a Flame with my Rusty and Lamarks and the Rusty was on it immediately and was relentless chasing and nipping at the Flame. I gave it about half an hour and then rescued the Flame. There was zero chance of getting the aggressive Rusty (who is usually the most docile fish in my 240g).

As suggested above my post, I would use an acclimation box next time. Leave the new dwarf angel in there for 2-3 days if necessary. Typically, aggression should alleviate within a few days if they are going to gel together. Not be completely gone, but every day it should get a little bit better. :)

BTW @Trex I LOVE that skunk clown. Those are my fav clowns. :D

 

[clownsrcool]

I'm picking up a big 12" one from a fellow reefer this weekend. I'm thinking that will help a lot when introducing new members to the tank

 

[tj w]

12" dwarf angel? Not sure I've ever heard of that.

 

[clownsrcool]

12" acclimation box

 

[tj w]

Gotcha

 

[Trex]

As suggested above my post, I would use an acclimation box next time. Leave the new dwarf angel in there for 2-3 days if necessary. Typically, aggression should alleviate within a few days if they are going to gel together. Not be completely gone, but every day it should get a little bit better. :)

BTW @Trex I LOVE that skunk clown. Those are my fav clowns. :D

Thanks. I LOVED them until they started picking on my Golden dwarf angel --- it chased them back to their S. haddoni and.... They were sold 2 days later to a local breeder. Was the meanest pair of clowns I have ever kept.


I agree, acclimation boxes go a huge was towards giving you an idea if it will work or not. I have used them for up to 7 days. Couple pieces of PVC to hiding helps too ---

 

[Humblefish]

Thanks. I LOVED them until they started picking on my Golden dwarf angel --- it chased them back to their S. haddoni and.... They were sold 2 days later to a local breeder. Was the meanest pair of clowns I have ever kept.

Wow, meaner than maroons & tomatoes? Of course, last pair of skunks I owned was probably 10+ years ago. I fondly remember them being sweethearts. :) But at the end of the day, all clowns do come from the same family as damsels. ;)

 

[Trex]

Wow, meaner than maroons & tomatoes? Of course, last pair of skunks I owned was probably 10+ years ago. But I fondly remember them being sweethearts. :) But at the end of the day, clowns do come from the same family as damsels. ;)

Only had a single tomato, but a lot meaner than my mated pair of maroons. Oddly enough my mated pair of Orange skunks were very passive, and mellow --- could do a water change while they were spawning.