Flame angel in a reef tank?

[rfny75]

Hi Guys, I keep looking at the flame angels in the stores and I so want to add it to my reef tank. I've seen a lot of reef tank pics that have them but on the other hand I keep hearing that they are not 100% reef safe.

What's your experience with them in your reef? do they really munch on the polyps?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Playing with fire. They may nip at things like corals and clams.

 

[inkblue]

i had one that nipped a cap untiL it bLeached

 

[Chongpark27]

i wouldnt take the chance. Will cause you more headaches. I had one in my old 46bow and at first he was model citizen but as he grew he started to nip on my corals.

 

[PhoenixOne]

What upsets me more than anything is when LFS' say, "sure they are reefsafe. They won't bother any of your corals, you want me to bag him for you?"

 

[home wrecker]

i have one in my 75g reef tank .....an never had a problem but as pplz say u might get lucky or u can have the biggest headache

 

[gnatp2]

I've had 2 over 3 years. 1 was fine, the other wasn't. total crap shoot

 

[rfny75]

Any particular corals they like to nip on?

 

[Scion_TC2005]

Any particular corals they like to nip on?

50/50 chance, it depends on the personality of the fish you get. Keep him well fed he may stay away from you corals. I would try it, if not take him out and sell him. Flames are fairy easy to get and not too expensive. Remember it your money and your aquarium get what makes you happy. Your in this hobby for your personal enjoyment not for others.

 

[rfny75]

50/50 chance, it depends on the personality of the fish you get. Keep him well fed he may stay away from you corals. I would try it, if not take him out and sell him. Flames are fairy easy to get and not too expensive. Remember it your money and your aquarium get what makes you happy. Your in this hobby for your personal enjoyment not for others.

Ok, thanks Tim!!

 

[jhale]

I've had 2 neither of them touched a coral, but it's a gamble like others have said.
I don't mind if my fish nip at the coral, eating is another story. if they start nipping at clams, that's when I would take them out.

 

[BrooklynsReefMan1]

Cool but not big with LPS they nip at them good or better in SPS tank

 

[jhale]

what do you consider big LPS? I have acan's , blasto's, frogspawn, and duncans in my tank. they never touched them. I've not had any type of plate corals. I think it just varrie's from fish to fish.
Also what you feed and how much is important. If your only going to feed flakes and pellets that might influence them to pick at coral. Feeding a good variety of mysis and other frozen or fresh fish should keep them happy.

 

[SIReefer]

I keep mine well fed & have not noticed him nip at any corals yet. (Only had for apx. 2 months though). He does graze on algae on the rocks. I have softies, LPS & SPS. Even if he does do some nipping, I've always wanted one for their color & beauty.

 

[e.muehlbauer]

Over the years I have had many flames and coral beauties...not one has ever nipped at a coral....so I think the chances are more than 50:50 that it would be OK. However, when it comes to Centropyge angels, there must be good reasons for why they have that reputation...so anyone who wants some of these fish must know that the risk is there.

 

[Reef Mongoose]

Don't do it man, I had to tear my whole reef apart to get the little bastard outta my tank, he was nipping at my lps corals, and you guessed it my lfs told me it was 100% reef safe

 

[Tonyscoots84]

I took the chance n picked one up 2 days ago he is a beautiful fish worth the risk for me so far so good

 

[Wes]

worth the risk

 

[ellebelle]

Whether or not they are worth the risk is up to the individual person. I put up a thread a while back about dwarf angels and the consensus was that as these guys mature, they are more and more likely to nip at corals and clams. But nothing is for certain.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

:scratchch What is it that Deanos always says?

The only predictable fish.........................