Flame Angel Reef Safe?

Reefie · #1 02-22-2012, 08:40 PM

I've always wanted one of these bad boys. I love the colour and livelyhood of them. The problem is if they are reef safe? I have an SPS dominated tank with a few LPS and 5 Crocea Clams.

I've been told that they are 50/50 chance of nipping at my corals. I've also read of quite a few accounts online that they haven't nipped at corals in quite a few tanks.

I'm asking for your opinions and experiences, so I can make my decision whether or not to risk getting one.

Delphinus · #2 02-22-2012, 08:50 PM

Most likely you will be OK, but there are exceptions. Each fish is an individual and you can't generalize that they will 100% be reef safe. That said, IME, flame angels and potters angels tend to be among the least likely to nip corals. I've had both and none ever touched SPS or clams. FWIW, my potters angel does nip at my gorgonians however to the point where they are declining. Eventually I will have to rehome her or lose the gorgs.

Bblinks · #3 02-22-2012, 08:52 PM

I don't like it.... my vote is NO!

Reefie · #4 02-22-2012, 09:10 PM

So far, we have a tie.
1 FOR
1 AGAINST

kien · #5 02-22-2012, 09:16 PM

I have owned two, my current one is not reef safe. Loves to nip everything. My previous one was SPS safe but clam and LPS unsafe.

As tony said, it's more to do with the individual fish rather than the type of fish in many cases. I have a Regal tang that is starting to develop a taste for clams. Plus, now that my Purple Tang has seen my Regal Tang nip at clams my Purple Tang is starting to get in on the clam nipping action

Most people would consider both fish reef safe :-)

Coleus · #6 02-22-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

Plus, now that my Purple Tang has seen my Regal Tang nip at clams my Purple Tang is starting to get in on the clam nipping action

Most people would consider both fish reef safe :-)

Not their fault, i blame on your clams beauty which attract them.

About flames angel i think it is a miss and hit so if you feel lucky go with it. I have mine and they nip here and there but i don't care

George · #7 02-23-2012, 12:31 AM

I would be more worry about your clams than your corals. Many fish (for some reason angelfish are notorious for that) are attracted to anything that comes out of excurrent siphon of a clam, be it poop, un-digestable food or zoox (sometime a clam can expel zoox for various reasons). When a fish picks at those things, they annoy the clam and the clam will close. Clams can be harassed to death by this action. This is the major reason I don't keep clams in my angel fish dominated reef tank.

Reefie · #8 02-23-2012, 12:58 AM

Thanks for all the input from EVERYONE!

I think I'm going to avoid the Flame Angel......been doing some more reading and I don't think I want to risk what I have left.

I'll just load up on more SPS! Haha!

intarsiabox · #9 02-23-2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefie

Thanks for all the input from EVERYONE!

I think I'm going to avoid the Flame Angel......been doing some more reading and I don't think I want to risk what I have left.

I'll just load up on more SPS! Haha!

This would be the safest route. I had one that was a model citizen but I know of at least one that was good in one persons tank and after going to someone else he became a coral nipper so one can never be sure about them.

Nano · #10 02-23-2012, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefie

I think I'm going to avoid the Flame Angel.

probably a good idea, and I dont mean this in the wrong way, but if you had decided the other way, I think with the tang your already overstocked. but thats just my opinion, I love flame angels and have thought about it for my new tank, but am not sure I'll be going down that road