Opinions on angels in a reef

[Van down by the river]

Hello all,
Oh noooooo!! another long winded answer from me!!!! oh well.

I voted no, because I agree there should be a maybe vote. Most Angels will pick. Sometimes even the ones they say shouldn't,... do. Unfortunately Angels don't read books that tell them what to eat!!


First off I would suggest you reconsider your purchase. Don't worry there are plenty more fish, and you will see them again if you change your mind. You want Angels?
How about the Genicanthus family? All are plankton feeders, very peaceful,sexualy dimorphic ( males differ from females) can be kept in harems and reasonably priced.
May I suggest:
Genicanthus caudovittatus-Zebra Angelfish
Genicanthus melanospilos-Black-spot Angelfish(female often mis identified as Japanese swallowtail Angel) Female regularly imported
Genicanthus lamarck- Lamarck's Angelfish-Regularly imported
Genicanthus watanabei-Watanabe's Angelfish
Genicanthus semifasciatus-Japanese swallow

They will all feed on brine and frozen mysids.

Back to the question:
Heavy feeding often reduces nipping and sampling but is not a great option in a reef tank.

rather than babble on I will qoute(edited) Scott Michael, he's more interesting than me anyways........

"If one examines the natural diets of the Centropyge spp.it would appear the threat to invertabrates would be minimal. But most of these angelfishes do feed on detritusand coralslime falls into this catagory.While pygmy angelfishes usually do not feed directly on coral polyps, they will graze on the slime they exude. "
This includes:
Elegance coral-Catalaphyllia jardinei
Open Brain- Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
Carpet Brain/Tooth Corals- Lobophyllia spp.
Meat/Doughnut/Crater Corals- Cynarina spp.
Zoanthids

"The slime on tridacnid clam mantles is also a food source for pygmy angels."
"Some pygmy angels will also nip at the oral disc of anemones, feed on their feces, or even eat dying corals or anemones."

Often there is a guiltly angelfish to blame if your featherdusters/christmas tree worms are being nipped at. Especially if you see discarded radioles
(fans)on the bottom.

Scott goes on to mention:"As far as their predilection to damage sessil invertabrates there seem to be trends within the various pygmy angelfish species but there is also a considerable degree of individual variation."

Scott's recommendation's
"Centropyge argi can often be kept with most stony and soft corals" -some exceptions.

Fisher's Angelfish- Centropyge fisheri
White tailed Angelfish-Centropyge flavicauda
Multibarred Angelfish - Centropyge multifasciata
Cherubfish-Centropyge argi
Flameback Pygmy Angelfish- Centropyge aurantonota
Golden Pygmy Angel- Centropyge aurantia



Highest "picking" risks
Lemonpeel Angel-Centropyge flavissima"Most Lemonpeel angelfishare a real threat to corals and should not be placed in the reef aquarium."
Bicolor- Centropyge bicolor
Keyhole- Centropyge tibicen
Colin's Pygmy Angel- Centropyge colini
He also mentions Coral Beauty- Centropyge bispinosa but my experience
has been borderline with them.

As far as two angels in the same tank, yes if there is enough hiding places.
More information on sexing the Centropyge family is available all the time and an experienced aquarist will be able to do the necessary research to avoid tank battles. I have witnessed several large reefs with two of the same pygmys together(Usually added at the same time).



My two cents: Don't add an angel unless you are willing to take your reef apart to remove them, or sacrifice a coral.

There are many, many fabulous fish that are totally reef safe, colorful,and hardy. Maybe switch them for your angels on that wishlist and breath a sigh of relief........

Happy reef keeping!
8)