Flame in a 30gallon

SW_freak · #1 12-12-2005, 08:48 PM

I am setting up a 30 gallon tank (36*14*14). For fish I am going with 2 Black Percula Clownfish, 2 Banggai Cardnalfish, and I would like to add a Flame Angelfish.

I know these fish can pick at corals and clam mantels but i heard there are some out there that wont pick at them.

Could you guys give me some information on these guys. Websites can give you general information but it is nice to get it first hand from people who have had them.

Thanks everyone.

muck · #2 12-13-2005, 03:54 PM

--> Moved to Reef Forum

OCDP · #3 12-13-2005, 03:58 PM

I don't have one myself... but I have heard it's kind of a hit and miss deal. Some will, some won't.. or some won't , then out of no where they start nipping. I am not sure if it's worth taking the risk either way.... That's just my opinion though, I am sure others will chime in.

Scott

Chin_Lee · #4 12-13-2005, 04:17 PM

try to keep a higher oxygen level in your tank for them to thrive. skimming 24/7 helps.

DanG · #5 12-13-2005, 04:38 PM

I would expect that nipping at sps and clams would only happen when they're hungry, so if they're well fed, it shouldn't be a problem.

Winters · #6 12-13-2005, 05:08 PM

Hi SW!

Here's mine:

Just got this one a couple of months ago from OA in Delta, BC. Beautiful specimen but.. alas it does nip at my SPS polyps. Doesn't seem to damage them.. just annoy them. But still, it's an issue. Of course.. another issue is how to take it out of the tank without undoing all the aquascaping.

(But that's a whole new thread)

Angels are normally like that although some Flames can be quite docile. Just one's luck, I suppose. I'm not sure how one would tell at the LFS which one is better with SPS and clams. (I don't have a clam.. yet.. so I can't say much about Flames with them, but probably the same nipping issues)

I would say that oxygenation and feeding has very little to do with this behaviour - my Flame seems to nip at something practically every time it swims around from side-to-side, so it's normally quite frequent, no matter how much oxygen or skimming or feeding is currently happening in the tank. I doubt that even tank size really makes a big difference too.

So I will tend to agree with Scott: Avoid them if you've got SPS or clams, if possible. If not, keep trying till you get one that doesn't like to nip. They are beautiful fish! I know that for me colour was an issue, as I was trying to add some red into the tank. I know there are some other options for that though (some Wrasses or Anthias, etc.) so if you're wanting some red try something like that.

I hope that helps!