Mobile Bay Reef Keepers

Has anyone had a problem with dwarf angels nipping at corals? I have a black nox angel and have had no problem with him nipping at any corals (not that I've seen anyway). I am considering getting more angels.

Some people get away with keeping these guys (dwarf angels) in their tanks. Even those who keep them and think they don't have a problem sometimes later realize that they do.

I was at Terry's one day (before hurricane) watching his bi-color dwarf angel. He told me he didn't have any trouble with the 'polyp picking'. A couple of beers later I point out to him that it was nipping away at his SPS corals. About a week later this post came up: http://www.mbrk.com/viewtopic.php?t=230 ... highlight=

I will not even try to keep them in my tanks. -Just my opinion.

I have a coral beauty and a flame angel, and they do pick from time to time I've noticed. But I have found that if you keep them well fed, they tend to do less damage. They are rooming with a copperband butterfly, tangs, and some clowns, electric scallops, clams, open brains and some colts and umbrellas. We' ll see how things progress.

aaron

Even if well fed, it is difficult to deter a fish from its natural foodstuffs. Most people find these fish a bit of a gamble in pretty much any situation. Some particular species seem better suited at times, while in other situations prove to be a nightmare. Even typically benign species (i.e. Centropyge potteri) have been reported to feed on a certain percentage of Scleractinian corals in the wild. Just realize that, no matter what, you will be taking a risk in adding one. Personally, I love my C. potteri.

Josh use to have a Potter's angel too. He said it didn't do any nipping. Of course, in a 240g, who would have noticed?

Beautiful fish!


'borrowed' picture...

I have had a coral beauty for about 6-8 months in a 45 hex, but I converted to a 125 gallon and added a flame angel (and other beauties). I guess research and experience historically have discouraged the co-habitation of angels and corals. But man they sure look beautiful together. I hope mine continue to thrive in this ecosystem. I am also reluctant to add anything else, because everything is doing so well together. I don't want to disrupt the harmony within my tank. My wife and kids really dig it too. It's a great learning tool to teach kids about marine life. I am trying to attach some pictures of the set-up and of the current display when the pictures get developed. I have had trouble adding attachments.

So far I haven't seen my black nox angel nipping at any corals althought I don't have a whole lot right now. I may try getting another angel down the road if my current angel does fine. I'll try to get pics posted sometime.

Glad it is behaving. Just keep a good, close eye on it, as it is not what I would consider to be one of the better angels for a reef tank. you may want to take a look at this

http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/TrophicEco ... pecies=nox


This isn't absolute, though. Every fish specimen is an individual, and will, therefore, act as an individual. So expect some deviation from the 'norm.'