Emperor Angel in a Reef

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I know its hit or miss but what are the chances of keeping one in an sps reef with little problems?

Not worth the trouble?

I feed about 4-6 times a day, would that make a difference?

[fishoholic]

From what I understand if you start off with a small juvi you should have less problems with it eating corals then a larger/adult. My emperor left my softies and LPS alone and I got him as a small 2-3" juvi. Not sure about SPS though. I think michika had one in her tank with sps and it left her corals alone but I'm not 100% sure.

[michika]

Originally Posted by fishoholic

I think michika had one in her tank with sps and it left her corals alone but I'm not 100% sure.

I actually had two in two separate tanks over the years, and you are correct, neither touched anything ever. Both tanks had clams, SPS, and a few peices of LPS, and maybe three small colonies of zoa. I attributed my success in these cases to feeding regularly, and feeding a variety of foods. The unfortunate thing is that both instances ended poorly in that the angels did not live past 18 months, however I suspect it was related to how they were caught rather then any other factor. The first angel was around for a little over a year, and the second was only with me for about 7 months.

Both of my angels were juvis that I purchased when they were under 4" in total length. I found that both had a preference for purple nori over any other type, and that they liked mysis best. Not sure if its really all the relevant, but maybe somebody can use the information.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Tom R

Hi Justin

In my 180g I have a 5" Majestic, a Flame and a Whitetail blue Pygmy.

In my 125G I have 7" Majestic, a Flame and an Orange Peel

In my 25G LPS tank I have an Eibli

I am not sure about Angels and Acans. My Angels have never bothered with my Hammers and Frogspawns.

Tom R

Good to hear!

Originally Posted by michika

I actually had two in two separate tanks over the years, and you are correct, neither touched anything ever. Both tanks had clams, SPS, and a few peices of LPS, and maybe three small colonies of zoa. I attributed my success in these cases to feeding regularly, and feeding a variety of foods. The unfortunate thing is that both instances ended poorly in that the angels did not live past 18 months, however I suspect it was related to how they were caught rather then any other factor. The first angel was around for a little over a year, and the second was only with me for about 7 months.

Both of my angels were juvis that I purchased when they were under 4" in total length. I found that both had a preference for purple nori over any other type, and that they liked mysis best. Not sure if its really all the relevant, but maybe somebody can use the information.

Yes, very helpful. I am hoping that going the route I am to get this fish will mean less chance it was caught with poor techniques. I don't know if I would buy one from a store...

[my2rotties]

Mine never bothered with SPS, but he LOVED Frogspawn, scolmias, donuts, zoas and mushrooms.

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

I know its hit or miss but what are the chances of keeping one in an sps reef with little problems?

Not worth the trouble?

I feed about 4-6 times a day, would that make a difference?

[naesco]

Everything you want to know about large angelfish
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008...rchterm=angels

and part 2

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008...rchterm=angels

Wayne

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by fishoholic

From what I understand if you start off with a small juvi you should have less problems with it eating corals then a larger/adult. My emperor left my softies and LPS alone and I got him as a small 2-3" juvi. Not sure about SPS though. I think michika had one in her tank with sps and it left her corals alone but I'm not 100% sure.

Thats what I was thinking but I guess you still never know.

Originally Posted by my2rotties

Mine never bothered with SPS, but he LOVED Frogspawn, scolmias, donuts, zoas and mushrooms.

That could be a problem.

Originally Posted by naesco

Everything you want to know about large angelfish
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008...rchterm=angels

and part 2

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008...rchterm=angels

Wayne

Thanks, that helps a lot.


Seems like its totally hit or miss. Plus my tank isn't really big enough.


I also of course worry about the collection and problems with these species. I would not be buying from a LFS but instead from another source which I trust a little more (no offense to LFS ) and thie fish would not be going through a bunch of tanks/wholesalers but still...

Probably won't take the risk. I think another 'easy' to care for (and smaller) tang would be a better choice.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

The interesting thing is that on the other side of the world, my father tells me that these are very common fish to keep and considered very easy. He lives in Singapore where I guess they special order a lot of fish that are literally caught and shipped direct to them then next day (and arrive at the airport same day). I suppose this takes a lot of stress off the fishes and gives them a much better chance. Since he orders all his fish through the same collectors and they go straight to his tank, he has never had ich...must be nice

Expensive though!

[spoot]

I wonder if he can ship some stuff here? That would be a great source to get really good fish.

Maybe a tomini tang for something small. He'd definitely help out with the grazing

[reefy]

Originally Posted by my2rotties

Mine never bothered with SPS, but he LOVED Frogspawn, scolmias, donuts, zoas and mushrooms.

I have an juv emperor with frogspawn, hammerhead it seems okay tho but yea its hit and miss because my previous one wont stop neaping on my coco worms but this one wont eat go near by it, so GSP good luk....