Trying to look for the perfect angelfish

[stixs5758]

I have a 40 gallon cube and was trying to see if I can fit a smaller angel into it. The closest I think I found so far was a cherub but wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations before I make my decision. Also would like it to be as reef safe as possible.

 

[albano]

I think that if you got a very small captive bred angel, it will be years before you might have to rehome it… but by then, you’ll probably be looking for a bigger tank anyway!

 

[sheasta]

Or a cherub angel only gets 3” full grown and are about 1/2-3/4” when purchased.

 

[vlangel]

I have a 40 gallon cube and was trying to see if I can fit a smaller angel into it. The closest I think I found so far was a cherub but wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations before I make my decision. Also would like it to be as reef safe as possible.

I would still look for a very small Cherub angel because they tend to have "little fish syndrome" and can be tiny Napoleon dictators, LOL! I was so afraid of that that I chose a Coral Beauty angel instead for my 75g!

 

[Reef Jedi]

I would still look for a very small Cherub angel because they tend to have "little fish syndrome" and can be tiny Napoleon dictators, LOL! I was so afraid of that that I chose a Coral Beauty angel instead for my 75g!

Can’t go wrong with a coral beauty, their colors are so nice

 

[vlangel]

Can’t go wrong with a coral beauty, their colors are so nice

I have had 3 in my years of reef keeping but my current CB angel is the prettiest of them all.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I have had 3 in my years of reef keeping but my current CB angel is the prettiest of them all.

I am the same, I too have always had them. I know lots of people go for a flame angel but it never stuck my eye like a coral beauty.

 

[vlangel]

I am the same, I too have always had them. I know lots of people go for a flame angel but it never stuck my eye like a coral beauty.

I do like Flame angels too but I have had them pick at my feather duster worms. I have never had a CB angel pick at coral or inverts.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

I would still look for a very small Cherub angel because they tend to have "little fish syndrome" and can be tiny Napoleon dictators, LOL! I was so afraid of that that I chose a Coral Beauty angel instead for my 75g!

Can’t go wrong with a coral beauty, their colors are so nice

Absolutely agree. My cherub tortured a flame that was bigger than him in my 210 system. Another reefer referred to it as death by 1000 cuts. Flame was so exhausted he was hiding up by the power head so I was able to pull him out . He’s now the king in a 70 gallon tank. Lesson learned I’ll never mix dwarfs especially with a cherub again. Agree that flames and coral beauty’s are incredibly striking.

 

[winxp_man]

Flame angel, coral beauty ( many color variations, golden angel.

Have all three because I can’t make up my mind.

 

[Chris_from_SoCal]

I was away from this fun for 30 years and one of the first fish I added was a Flame Angel. My new system is way larger than a 40 so I cannot comment on that but the personality of this little guy is off the charts.

When I placed him in the tank he only hid in the rocks for about 30 minutes. Then he began running all around the tank running back and forth in between all the tunnels until he found the purple tang the same size.

The Tang was added 4 days earlier but only hid in the rocks. Once the two found each other the Flame convinced him it was fun to run around the tank.

It is now a few weeks later and I have 8 very different fish. They all get along and are mostly out in the open. The Flame is definitely the leader of the tank.

When I drop a frozen food cube into the tank the Flame and the Tang go there before it even thaws and are the first to start eating.

So far no one picks at the corals I have but they do rub against them and cause them to close for a while.

 

[vlangel]

I was away from this fun for 30 years and one of the first fish I added was a Flame Angel. My new system is way larger than a 40 so I cannot comment on that but the personality of this little guy is off the charts.

When I placed him in the tank he only hid in the rocks for about 30 minutes. Then he began running all around the tank running back and forth in between all the tunnels until he found the purple tang the same size.

The Tang was added 4 days earlier but only hid in the rocks. Once the two found each other the Flame convinced him it was fun to run around the tank.

It is now a few weeks later and I have 8 very different fish. They all get along and are mostly out in the open. The Flame is definitely the leader of the tank.

When I drop a frozen food cube into the tank the Flame and the Tang go there before it even thaws and are the first to start eating.

So far no one picks at the corals I have but they do rub against them and cause them to close for a while.

That splash of red and purple together must be gorgeous! I'd like a purple tang but I think my tank would be better with a tomini.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I vote for the often overlooked Rusty Angel.

 

[Largeangels]

Multicolor angelfish. One of my favorites, which is why I have a pair. But any angel can potentially pick at or eat something we don't want them to do.

 

[i cant think]

I have a 40 gallon cube and was trying to see if I can fit a smaller angel into it. The closest I think I found so far was a cherub but wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations before I make my decision. Also would like it to be as reef safe as possible.

Out of curiosity, what other fish are in there? Also do you have an FTS for the rock scape?

I have a couple of ideas but due to being shier species they would likely want to have more caves and darker overhangs.

The species I would look into are;
Multicolour (Centropyge multicolor)
Venusta/Purple Mask (Paracentropyge venusta)
Fishers (Centropyge fisheri)
Yellow Tail (Centropyge flavicauda)

 

[JumboShrimp]

This Cherub was in this tank for a long time (about a year or two) and never touched any of these softies. He was, though, starting to stress because the tank was only 20 gallons. He's in a 150 now, loving life.

 

[i cant think]

Out of curiosity, what other fish are in there? Also do you have an FTS for the rock scape?

I have a couple of ideas but due to being shier species they would likely want to have more caves and darker overhangs.

The species I would look into are;
Multicolour (Centropyge multicolor)
Venusta/Purple Mask (Paracentropyge venusta)
Fishers (Centropyge fisheri)
Yellow Tail (Centropyge flavicauda)

My multicolour in a temporary display with Chilli Coral. I intentionally made it dark for her and she’s kept most of her white rather than dull into the grey they are notorious for doing.

 

[Wrasse Magnet]

I vote for the often overlooked Rusty Angel.

Second the rusty

 

[stixs5758]

Thank you all I didnt see the notifications of people responding very appreciative of the recommendations. Still havent decided but think I narrorwed it down at least

 

[Largeangels]

The male has kept his bright white in bright light. Female is more brownish/orange on the bottom and not as crisp white on top.