Should I get a flame angel?

[Saltwater_hobbiest]

I really want a flame angel fish but I have heard bad stories about them in reef tanks. I only have soft corals in my reef tank. Should I take the risk and buy one?

 

[KrisReef]

What kind of soft corals are on the menu?

A lot of them are probably safe from a flame.

 

[Rob A]

I got one and it never touches my corals, model citizen with my other fish great fish overall. I feed heavy and I think that helps.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I really want a flame angel fish but I have heard bad stories about them in reef tanks. I only have soft corals in my reef tank. Should I take the risk and buy one?

These fish are hit and miss with coral. I have mine 5 years and bother nothing but they are reef safe caution and potentially can nip soft coral

 

[jackintheboxfish]

Mine has never bothered any corals but I have heard of they are not well fed they will start to get a taste of corals. One person I heard his developed a taste for zoas after having no problems for 2 years

 

[saltwaterfish.com Verified Sponsor]

I usually recommend starting off with a small/young one and growing it out in your tank. Keeping them well fed definitely helps curb any curiosity for tasting the corals around them.

 

[Reefer Brent]

Had mine for a bout a year and it started eating everything. Particularly loved acans and gonis. He was well fed as well. Took him out and everything went back to normal.

 

[me & my baby]

It’s a roll of the dice . There have been some they never touch a coral , there have been some that get the taste for them . Then once they do acquire the taste they don’t stop .

 

[Gumbies R Us]

As others have said, it's a mixed bag. Some people never have issues with them, while others have constant nipping issues.
If you do get one, make sure you are feeding them well, and they should avoid your corals

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Mine doesn't pick at any corals and I've had him in mixed reef for a year now.

He is however the tank bully. He chases my damsels, maroon clown, and strawberry dottyback constantly. The only fish he leaves alone is my Starry Blenny.

 

[BryanM]

If you can source one that is already in a mixed reef tank and it isn't nipping corals... That's pretty safe, and what I did.

Also, feeding 3-4x a day helps.