Flame Angel advice input wanted!

[Lexusman25]

Ok so ever since I got into reefing ive always wanted a flame angel. I have read stories that they nip clams and eat coral. I have a maxima clam and just zoas,gsp, and a hammer coral. My tank is 30 gallons and the only fish in the tank is a piar of clowns and a chromis. I am wondering if I should take the chance and just buy the angel. So what are your experiences with the flame angel? Do they actually nip clams? and will the corals I have be ok?

 

[SchnitzelReef]

I always wondered the same thing. I don't think there is a definitive answer, it's a gamble. Most people will probably say u will be fine, but u never know. You may end up being that guy that got the bad apple. Once they get a taste of coral, they won't stop. For me the gable was not worth it.

Good luck


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Azul17]

I've had one for over a year and never had any problems.

 

[BeanMachine]

I've had one for over a year and never had any problems.

I've read numerous times where they and other pygmies are fine and then all of a sudden there goes your favorite zoa colony.

Don't do it.

 

[BeanMachine]

I always wondered the same thing. I don't think there is a definitive answer, it's a gamble. Most people will probably say u will be fine, but u never know. You may end up being that guy that got the bad apple. Once they get a taste of coral, they won't stop. For me the gable was not worth it.

Good luck


Sent from my iPhone

I would say 10% don't nip corals eventually, the rest do. Just based on all the accounts I've read online.

 

[ColorfulReef]

It's a hit or miss for this flame angel. The one I had destroyed my tank and killed all my hammer, frogspon.

 

[Mr. Plant]

I just bought one a few weeks ago, and doing good. Doesn't bother anything. My advice: Have plenty of rock work, and feed several times a day. They like to cruise around the rocks picking at them. I also bought at the same time a flame hawk, cool fish.

 

[Lexusman25]

I guess there rep for being hit or mis is true. Idk if I would try it with my zoa collection.

 

[Mr. Plant]

Hmmm, after reading your thread again, and seeing your tank is 30 gal. I would say don't do it..... Not enough live rock to keep him happy...

 

[805]

Ive had several flames over the and never had one pick at anything. I try to get one fairly small, when it is new ive fed small amounts several times a day so it learns that feeding time is the main source of food. Lots of live rock would help too. I've always noticed them picking at the little tubeworms, agae and critters on the liverock. A hungry fish will pick at anything, so make sure he's happy.

 

[Tangwich]

Last I checked the stats were that 2 out of 10 flame angels will nip corals. This according to the recent study on the species centropyge flamiscus, that was conducted early last year. The study took place in the Marshall Islands by Dr. Angel Flamengo, which is where the species derives its name from. It was recorded that the majority of flame angels prefer algae and crustaceans, but as with all angelfish, each individual is different and will be enticed into eating fleshy corals if its appetite is not adequately suppressed.

 

[BeanMachine]

But wouldn't our closed systems be much different than nature, much less food available, etc?

 

[Mr. Plant]

Thats why I say you need lots of rock work to keep them happy and also feed several times a day. I have had dwarth angels before, and they like to cruise the rocks looking for food....

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Last I checked the stats were that 2 out of 10 flame angels will nip corals. This according to the recent study on the species centropyge flamiscus, that was conducted early last year. The study took place in the Marshall Islands by Dr. Angel Flamengo, which is where the species derives its name from. It was recorded that the majority of flame angels prefer algae and crustaceans, but as with all angelfish, each individual is different and will be enticed into eating fleshy corals if its appetite is not adequately suppressed.

Are u being serious???

This sounds like a made up BS statement. Dr Angel Flamengo?? No way


Sent from my iPhone

 

[MrSquid]

I agree with not doing one in a 30. I had one in a mixed 125 with zero incidents, but I realize I most likely just got lucky with it (although my auto-feeder + what I fed probably helped with that).

I'm sure I'll try one again in my next tank, but I wouldn't in a 30. Although on the bright side, if you do, and if you need to get him out, it'd be easier to do in a 30 than a 240.

 

[cymaster007]

I just bought one a few weeks ago, and doing good. Doesn't bother anything. My advice: Have plenty of rock work, and feed several times a day. They like to cruise around the rocks picking at them. I also bought at the same time a flame hawk, cool fish.

^This is accurate. They are constant grazers and will eat anything available if hungry. Either have lots of live rock w/ algae & critters to nip at, or feed repeatedly throughout the day. If they run out of "normal" food then they will resort to your more expensive but readily available coral. I had a pymgy angel and a coral beauty for 3 years and they were model citizens. I now have a flame angel and the first 2 weeks it nipped at the digitata in my tank but has not touched anything since.

I feed rods food & mysis once a day and have lots of live rock.

 

[Tangwich]

But wouldn't our closed systems be much different than nature, much less food available, etc?

Are u being serious???

This sounds like a made up BS statement. Dr Angel Flamengo?? No way


Sent from my iPhone

bahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...i was wondering who would fall for it and who would call bs. oh beanster, ye of too much faith...sorry, it's friday and slow day at work. Anyone that knows flame angels knows they are centropyge loriculos and they were founded by the "flamin' cajun" Dr. Angelo Flaminsky :rofl:

 

[Mr. Plant]

^This is accurate. They are constant grazers and will eat anything available if hungry. Either have lots of live rock w/ algae & critters to nip at, or feed repeatedly throughout the day. If they run out of "normal" food then they will resort to your more expensive but readily available coral. I had a pymgy angel and a coral beauty for 3 years and they were model citizens. I now have a flame angel and the first 2 weeks it nipped at the digitata in my tank but has not touched anything since.

I feed rods food & mysis once a day and have lots of live rock.

Yes,,, But in Kam's situation only having 30 gal. and limited rock work, this will increase the odds of him looking for something else to munch on. If it was me, I would stay away, and I love my flame angel... sorry

 

[SchnitzelReef]

bahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...i was wondering who would fall for it and who would call bs. oh beanster, ye of too much faith...sorry, it's friday and slow day at work. Anyone that knows flame angels knows they are centropyge loriculos and they were founded by the "flamin' cajun" Dr. Angelo Flaminsky :rofl:

Hahahahahaha hahahah I was crackin up reading this. Poor Bean!!


Flaminski!!!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone

 

[cowboycove]

Just like you I've always wanted one since the beginning. So I went for it. Just put him in a week ago. The guy I got it from said he never nibbled on any of his coral. I've been randomly staring at him for 5 to 10 mins here and there to see if he nibbled. Sometimes it looked like it but when I stared he just pecked at the rocks. Maybe for pods. Some buddies just came over and said he was pecking. But if he is its not big chunks. I don't see any scares or chunks missing so far

Next I want An imperial angel