Advice Needed: Blue Angel

[bakbay]

I have a 6-8” beautiful & matured Blue Angel (center in picture below) that is healthy - in fact, he’s too healthy and aggressive! He’s the Boss of the tank. I caught him this morning to reduce aggression to the tank. He would chase & grumble at the Blueface Angel (which I like more) and other fish.

So, options:
1. Re-home him to another reefer
2. Build a FOWLR, angel-dominant tank? I have a 175gal sitting empty that my current 25gal nem tank is currently sharing the sump. It’s all plumbed and ready to go, just add rocks (which I have plenty) and a light source — ugh, I just sold off all my G4 Pros (Dooh!). This option might be marriage-threatening though but details, details! lol

What would you do?

 

[Veinz]

You should make a poll… FOWLR or Re Home… but we all know the right answer here the wife will eventually come around haha

 

[bakbay]

You should make a poll… FOWLR or Re Home… but we all know the right answer here the wife will eventually come around haha

Hope my wife isn’t on SCR and veto the whole idea. Anyway, I’m running 4 tanks currently but the big 175gal will share the sump so technically still four (4) tanks? lol

Dunno — I need to catch the Passer (King) Angel as well. These two dudes are bullies!! Guess if I catch enough angels, I can justify plumbing up another tank?

Will keep you guys posted

 

[drexel]

It's a tough call, but the thing to remember is, these fish get big, like dinner plate big and require several hundred gallons at minimum, so your re-home would only be temporary at best for a few more years. I've swam with these fish in the wild, passer, blue, etc and they're huge beautiful fish, so I understand the dilemma.

 

[bakbay]

It's a tough call, but the thing to remember is, these fish get big, like dinner plate big and require several hundred gallons at minimum, so your re-home would only be temporary at best for a few more years. I've swam with these fish in the wild, passer, blue, etc and they're huge beautiful fish, so I understand the dilemma.

Indeed - the 175gal will be a downgrade from my current 450gal but will only house a few angels. I believe they will only get to 8” max in captivity?

I got the Blue as a medium size (4”) and the Passer was a baby (2.5”). Now they’re 6” and 3”; respectively, in a year.

 

[drexel]

It's a myth that fish only grow as big as their surroundings (tank size), what really happens is fish get stressed out, which causes aggression, stress, etc... or their lives are shortened by these restrictions and die prematurely. The holacanthus genus on average grow to 12" - 16", which is a huge fish for the hobby. Fortunately, they're not super fast growers, so you have time and should be okay in the 175g for now. But as you noticed, a couple of inches of growth doesn't take a lot of time.

 

[crsandoval]

Look that the Emperor!!!

 

[dansyr]

It's a myth that fish only grow as big as their surroundings (tank size), what really happens is fish get stressed out, which causes aggression, stress, etc... or their lives are shortened by these restrictions and die prematurely. The holacanthus genus on average grow to 12" - 16", which is a huge fish for the hobby. Fortunately, they're not super fast growers, so you have time and should be okay in the 175g for now. But as you noticed, a couple of inches of growth doesn't take a lot of time.

there are issues with this theory, but it's a useful way to think about it.

https://www.seaaroundus.org/new-study-reinforces-link-gill-size-oxygen-uptake-fish/

 

[bakbay]

Well - I’m going fish again, trying to catch the other b*head (Passer). In the end, these guys will need to go — to a big fowlr, predator tank..or another hobbyist. The rest of the angels are very peaceful actually.

 

[lowbudget]

Look that the Emperor!!!

look at the copperband

 

[All Delight]

Well someone's always gotta be the boss of the tank. I think if the aggression towards the blue face is tolerable for the blue face, then keep things put. I agree, I'd rather have the blue face if it came down to it. I sold mine a few years ago and regret it. Although it ate way too much corals.

Starting another tank? Depends how busy your life is.

 

[drexel]

there are issues with this theory, but it's a useful way to think about it.

https://www.seaaroundus.org/new-study-reinforces-link-gill-size-oxygen-uptake-fish/

I'll have to dig deeper into that research, but I wonder how many species are affected by GOLT? Or if it's a factor in aquariums with ample oxygen?

 

[dansyr]

I'll have to dig deeper into that research, but I wonder how many species are affected by GOLT? Or if it's a factor in aquariums with ample oxygen?

The GOLT believers would say all fish or fish-like things (tadpoles etc). Basically its a statement that the body grows in cm^3 but the gills only grow usably in cm^2 so everything is limited by cm^2 area (or the intersection between standing O2 and gill cm^2). A useful axiom but just because something plots a line on a log-log plot doesn't make it always true IMO (i am personally skeptical of some of the extrapolations required for GOLT to explain fish life history, but i do find it interesting). But I do wonder how well the underlying theory works for aquarium pets reaching 'limited' sizes when there is excess food but perhaps slightly substandard conditions.

Sorry to derail the thread For what its worth, start up that new tank! you know you want to!

 

[bakbay]

Well someone's always gotta be the boss of the tank. I think if the aggression towards the blue face is tolerable for the blue face, then keep things put. I agree, I'd rather have the blue face if it came down to it. I sold mine a few years ago and regret it. Although it ate way too much corals.

Starting another tank? Depends how busy your life is.

Agree - between the Blue and Blueface, the latter wins. Between the Queen vs Blueface? Hmmm tougher decision — will likely go with Blueface since it’s less aggressive.

I’m already at 4 tanks so adding the 5th will be easy. However, I might do a low-profile tank with angels. Will see…

 

[bakbay]

The GOLT believers would say all fish or fish-like things (tadpoles etc). Basically its a statement that the body grows in cm^3 but the gills only grow usably in cm^2 so everything is limited by cm^2 area (or the intersection between standing O2 and gill cm^2). A useful axiom but just because something plots a line on a log-log plot doesn't make it always true IMO (i am personally skeptical of some of the extrapolations required for GOLT to explain fish life history, but i do find it interesting). But I do wonder how well the underlying theory works for aquarium pets reaching 'limited' sizes when there is excess food but perhaps slightly substandard conditions.

Sorry to derail the thread For what its worth, start up that new tank! you know you want to!

You guys are too geeky for me — I just want to raise fish! If they get too big, I just get a bigger tank… lol

Well, the Blue is not going back in so I’ll make a decision by next week…

Thanks for everyone’s feedback.

 

[bryanle87]

fowlr!!!!! ftw

 

[bakbay]

fowlr!!!!! ftw

Right but a divorce might cost me more!$$&

She (the Blue Angel) is still in the sump… haven’t decided yet.

 

[Jimbo327]

Buy back that 350 AA tank. I think it is back for sale, saw an ad online that looked like it.

 

[bakbay]

Buy back that 350 AA tank. I think it is back for sale, saw an ad online that looked like it.

Not that one. The current buyer is still using it as a monster freshwater tank, such a shame but whatever floats his boat.

My 175gal is already plumbed and ready to go — just pour water! It’s very tempting actually … the Blue Angel is such a beautiful fish though.