Large angels vs softies

[MikeC]

Recently read a thread about housing angels with softies only but can't find it now. I know LPS and clams may not be safe but what about colt, xenia, zoos, shrooms, and leathers?

 

[waterbeing]

MikeC,
Since you didn't specify wheather you asking about the smaller angels (flame,etc) or the larger angels (emporer, blueface, etc), we've had very different results with each. The flame has never bothered eaten any shroom, ric, lps or zoo that we've seen (It did pick at a small piece of acro though). :sad: On the other hand the larger angel (emperor in this case) has changed appetites as it has matured. We originally had shrooms, rics, frogspawn, and leathers in the tank. After it and the tang and clown trigger returned to the tank from a hypo treatment about 2 yrs ago, the angel decided one day that it liked the frogspawn and we got it out after loosing 1 head as a 'snack'. Then, our toadstool mushroom got picked on and the angel would tear it apart and share it with the trigger. :? . We had earlier tried a kenya tree and it disappeared in about 1 day. I assume anthella, xenia would be equally tasty treats. The angel nor the others have shown an interest (yet) in any of the pink/blue rics or any mushroom of any kind. HTH

Doug

 

[DaveJ]

From what I have read, the flame angels seem to the be least likely to inflict damage, but like with many other species it seems to be a per individual deal. I have heard many folks keep them without any problem, while others had bad experiences from day one. Part of the success seems to keeping them well fed on other things so they dont go looking for a snack. That said, I wouldn't trust an angel around corals anymore than I would crabs around snails.

 

[MikeC]

Thanks for the reply - good info. I was referring to the larger angels like your emperor. I'm helping my employer stock his 185. He is more fish oriented now and would like some impressive fish but also some coral. Just kicking around the idea of trying a large angel.

 

[DaveJ]

@MikeC wrote:

While angels are lovely animals, if he is wanting to keep corals, perhaps a nice fat tang would be a better choice. There are some great looking tangs, such as the koles, sailfins, achilles etc. A big achilles in a 185 would be an ideal show piece fish. You might also kick around the idea of fake corals if he really wants angels. You can get some very nice looking fake ones.