Centropyge

[ellebelle]

I have been considering getting a Dwarf Angelfish in a couple of months, and I've been considering what type I would like. There are some very pretty looking ones, but I know that many of them have a tendency to nip are corals (LPS, SPS). I was wondering how many of you have had varieties of dwarf angelfish, and how many problems have you had?

I realize that each fish is unique, and just because one person has had a problem with nipping doesn't mean all fish will nip at corals. However, if six people have had a particular species and all have nipped corals, then I think it's a pretty good warning flag.

I've specifically been looking at the Potters (C. potteri), Flame (C. loriculus), Lemonpeel (C. flavissima) and Black (C. nox) specifically. (I love the Golden ones, but I can't afford them. ) I have read up on them on centropyge.net as well as other fish book and sites, but much of the information seems to be conflicting.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Deanos]

I have read up on them on centropyge.net as well as other fish book and sites, but much of the information seems to be conflicting.

If you thought that info was conflicting, wait till you see what you get here. :p

 

[ellebelle]

I know, I know. Ask for advice here, get ten different answers from ten different people. But I'm still interested in hearing people's first hand experience.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i've fhad two different coral beauty and never had a problem. i personally think they are one of the safest and that's why almost everyone has one.

i've had an ebili and i never saw it pick on anything either. i'm getting another this sunday.

i currently have a cute little pygmy angel 1" big. boy he has a fierce personality. the tiniest fish in the tank and he thinks he owns it. i just read they are prone to nip but haven't noticed it yet. it could take a long time before he decides to fine dine on my sps.

 

[nijunet]

Hi Elle,
I have a Potter's and have had no problem so far and hopefully it stays that way

 

[Wes]

i have a brazilian flameback and have had no nipping on my sps or clams as of yet.

i always heard the C. argi or "pygmy" is the least likely to nip, but all of the centropyges will probably boil down to the individual personalities

 

[scumonkey]

I think you might want to steer clear of the nox- i've seen two and both were big nippers!
I'll second the ebili as a good non nipping choice (from experiance).
truly an underrated beautiful fish!

 

[e.muehlbauer]

Over the past 10 years, I've kept many Centropyges...coral beauties, pygmies, and Flames. (Currently I have a coral beauty...) I have never once seen them nip at anything other than rock or glass. Take care, Eric

 

[fritz]

I'm curious how long everyone has had their "problem free" angels. 6months, 1 year, 2..3?

I remember reading that the taste for polyps doesn't come until post puberty.

 

[marrone]

There is a great chance that all pygmy angel will in time start to pick at corals or clams. It may not happen today or a month or even a year from now but it will happen. To put one in your tank and think it's not going to happen is very foolish.

So if you plan on adding one you'll need to live with the possible that it will pick on some of your corals or clams. If you can live with that fine but if you can't then you need to make sure that you can remove it from the tank. Since this can be a problem you need to take that into account before adding one.

 

[Wes]

I'm curious how long everyone has had their "problem free" angels. 6months, 1 year, 2..3?

I remember reading that the taste for polyps doesn't come until post puberty.

good point i have had mine 6 months and he will always be under close watch. i have the fish trap in the closet just in case.

 

[crox99]

I have a lemonpeel (sonny) and a coral beauty (cher) and they don't bother any of my corals.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

I'm curious how long everyone has had their "problem free" angels. 6months, 1 year, 2..3?

I remember reading that the taste for polyps doesn't come until post puberty.

good point. i've only had them for 6 months or less and then trade

 

[tosiek]

I got rid of my Flame angel after he killed two acro colonies and a fish from beeing agressive towards it. since then a sps frag that survived started to open up its polyps after never even peeking them out since the night i introduced it into the tank 2+ months ago =0)

I think its more of a bad egg type of thing, everytime i used to mention about the flame angel or angels in general its always been a half and half argument between poeple who never had trouble and people who always do. Its like the coin toss at the start of a football game :Yikes:

 

[cali_reef]

I have not own a centropyge that didn't think Zoas and SPS are testy yet, I have tried just about every affortable ones you can get from your LFS.

Be ready to get them out after they get used to living in a glass box:lol2:.

 

[e.muehlbauer]

I've had my current coral beauty for about 15 months or so. I have kept various Centropyges up to 3 years (as I recall, the blackout did in my longest survivor...). In my experience, the Atlantic pygmy (C.argi) is the shortest lived of the 3 species I've tried...I may have kept one alive for a year, but I don't think I'll bother with them again. Take care, Eric

 

[ellebelle]

Thanks for the information, everyone. I am definitely going to think seriously about whether or not to get one, and obviously invest in a fish trap if I do.