What would be a good tank size for 2 Genicanthus?

Zionas

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What would be a good tank size for 2 Genicanthus? I’m talking mostly about G. Melanospilos and G. Watanabei, but also G. Semifasciatus and G. Caudovittatus. If say I get 2 females would one turn male over time? Would 1 of each species (female) work out, and in that case would 1 turn male over time? Fenner thinks a 90g 4ft is enough for a single of a smaller species.

Thanks. Also, how big would you expect a Lamarck to get? Websites and FishBase says 10” max, not sure if it includes the streamers or not.
 

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My lfs gave me this information.
Watanabeis grow to 6inches so a pair should be ok in a 5 ft tank with smaller n peaceful tank mates and rock work lower than half of the tank's height. They need open swimming room along with caves to rest and hide. Rest will grow to 9-12" so at least 6foot tank is minimum.
Ideally you should start with 1male +2 female when they are young. Once a pair is established other female will have to go.
I only have experience with a single female Japanese swallowtail. She was a stunner with peaceful temperament.
 
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What happened to it if you don’t mind? Did you struggle with feeding and disease at all? How long did you have it for?

Japanese Swallowtails get to 7” for the males though IMO 5-6” is more likely. Same with Bellus.
 

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It perished to ich. I saw her in my lfs and instantly fell in love. Covid was rampant at that time so no lfs was getting any fish and when i saw her I bought her even though she came to the shop the same morning(no quarantine). Also bought a tomini tang (they were in same tank) which got ich andy swallowtail got it second.
They are prone to ich. Not as bad as some tangs but still.
I am going to get one again but from a professional quarantine specialist as I don't think they handle copper treatment well.
Again, all this info was given to me by my lfs.
Ps: I am in Australia so we get these fish more often
 

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I am guessing one of them did but I noticed spots on tomini first. Probably because it had much darker color compared to the angel.

Melanospilos
Spot breast angel
Light shimmered on her body and the white had a gradient. Her eyes were lovely and articulated.
 

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Sam816

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Thanks. I like to believe I have learnt from my past mistakes. This time I am more careful in buying and quarantining fish n corals. I will get at least one genicanthus angel once my smaller members are settled it.
They are a lovely fish to keep. Mine ate on the first day. Only other fish that did that was my flame hawkfish. Except for feeding time she never bothered anyone. She had to be the first to get food though. After first couple of bite she didn't care. When scared/cautious she would hide under the same arch. She swam with the wrasses, swam with the tang. Hung around with my blenny. My blenny never hid when angel was around but my tang botheredy blenny into hiding. This time I am not very keen on getting any tangs. Got a foxface that went into display last night. I am thinking of getting a copperband or moorish idol if I can find one Quarantined and eating well. And finally an angel.
 
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Sounds like a great plan. What’s your tank size? I’m also looking into a Foxface, just have to come across one at the right size. For Tangs I might just do one Zebrasoma, now that Yellows are banned I’m going to look into a Purple (preferably) or a Scopas.
 

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timely thread, just cop’d a female swallowtail today. Can I jump in and ask anyone following if I can mismatch her with a male of a different species?
Anyone know where I can find one online under $200 (I ain’t got he nerve to mail order a $300 fish) argh
 

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I have waterbox 220.6 (220gallon 6ft)
Foxfaces are big babies. But they are like indicators of bad water quality. During quarantine, My foxface had a black line on top her body with white under it and finally yellow on lower body. As it turned out, I forgot to take out uneaten Nori which dropped water quality considerably. Nitrates went upwards of 20ppm.
I did a 30% water change n it got its bright yellow back.

If I can make a suggestion, look into yellow eye cole n tomini if you are looking for a tang. Kole is one of the hardiest tang and they grow upto 6" only.
 

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timely thread, just cop’d a female swallowtail today. Can I jump in and ask anyone following if I can mismatch her with a male of a different species?
Anyone know where I can find one online under $200 (I ain’t got he nerve to mail order a $300 fish) argh
I don't think it's a good idea unless you have a huge tank with tank mates of similar size.
You can try putting 2 females at the same time but I doubt it will result in a positive interaction.
 
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Zionas

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What kind of Foxface are you going for? And how big do you expect them to grow?

What are your other fish currently n how long you had them for? Thanks.

With the Hawaii ban Kole Tangs won’t be an option anymore.
 

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I don't think it's a good idea unless you have a huge tank with tank mates of similar size.
You can try putting 2 females at the same time but I doubt it will result in a positive interaction.
I’m not bad on research and due diligence before purchase but not much info on this genus. I know they are more reef safe than the true large angels but I’m not certain of their social behavior.
So you are saying they pair off as opposed to more harem behavior like anthias et
 

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What kind of Foxface are you going for? And how big do you expect them to grow?

What are your other fish currently n how long you had them for? Thanks.

With the Hawaii ban Kole Tangs won’t be an option anymore.
I would have preferred a one spot foxface. They grow upto 6 inch . Rest all of the foxface grow to 8-10inch depending on swimming room, nutrition and tank mates. I have regular yellow one. Magnificent foxface are beautiful but my lfs expert suggested they get bossy.
There must many fish stores that still have some koles in stock. Expect prices to rise. Grab one now and put him in a QT. Add him to DT last.
 

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Captured this morning. My foxface does this dance when it sees me. Looks at me then looks up for pallets to drop
 

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Sam816

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I’m not bad on research and due diligence before purchase but not much info on this genus. I know they are more reef safe than the true large angels but I’m not certain of their social behavior.
So you are saying they pair off as opposed to more harem behavior like anthias et
Besides being reef safe they are just like regular angels. They are the divas of any fish tank. Swim on the top of the tank from end to end. Harems work too but once a pair is established the female outside the pair gets bullied. Anthias have 'king of the hill' deathmatch type harem. Lowest in the hierarchy is bullied to death till one is left.
 

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I have 2 female Swallowtail. In a 7 foot tank.
They have both been very hearty, and went through copper QT very well. Very peaceful fish. Very mellow. Reef safe.
The first one. The bigger of the two. Got a very bad eye infection of some kind. Was blind in both eyes. He couldn't feed. He could smell it, but couldn't see it. I qt'ed him and treated with General Cure. Slowly his eyes cleared. He went weeks with no food. Finally he caught his first frozen brine shrimp. I was stoked!
His depth perception was off for awhile. He would try and eat, and missed very often. But he slowly recovered 100%.
About two females, and one of them turning male. Well, the bigger of the two looks like he started the change to male. But..... I started a smaller 75 gal. Tank and I put the smaller one in that tank. So the big one kinda looks like it started to change, then stopped. Lol. Who knows. From my experience, any tank I start that is large enough, gets at least one Swallowtail.
 

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