Flame Angel?

[MizTanks]

I'm looking for anyone who's kept the Flame Angel successfully within a reef system. Is it worth the risk? I've got one keeper who had a negative experience with coral nipping.

Is there any way to train the fish to leave the corals alone? A substitute maybe? If their nipping they're obviously looking for something within the coral it self.

[Chris]

Ive had my Flame angel in my reef for over a year,actually almost 2 now I think, does it nip, possibly... is it worth the risk to me yes, but to you it may not be that is really a question only you can answer.

Best way to keep them away from corals is to keep them fed and keep them away from corals, theres no guaranteed way to prevent them from ever nipping. By a substitute do you mean other angel because ALL angels (even all fish really) are hit/miss when it comes to coral nipping some are just more prone to doing it but it all really comes down to the fish itself...... BTW, your tank is to small for a flame angel

[EMUreef]

i second what chort said, i had a flame for about 8 months untill it died randomly and never nipped at anything.

I dont have a flame in my 90g but i do have a coral beauty and potters angel which are kinda hte same type of angels... they nip here and there but i've never lost anything to them chowing down on a coral. But it is hit or miss, some people have luck some people dont. Sometimes people like hte risk.

[redemer123]

yep I third what chort says lol,as for personal experience I've had two centropyge (dwarf) angels and never had any problems with them in a reef tank.

[Wy Renegade]

Older flame angel here, and yes it nipped at polyps. Nope, can't train them away or substitue anything else in their diet.

[rmalone]

The flames are generally considered to be more likely to nip than the potters and coral beauts. I too have a potters and coral beaut and so far no trouble.

[Chris]

Regardless, hit or miss.... there isnt an angel that I would put in a 26g long term, most not even short term unless only fish even.... and still only short term.

[marc49127]

Everybody has there opinion on tank size. I think it's if your love for the fish outweighs the possibility of having to take apart your tank to catch them if it fails!

[jimsflies]

My opinion is a 30 gallon is on the small side for a flame angel. I have seen some of them get to be pretty decent size fish...all of the 4-inches they claim to get, plus they get some girth to them.

A pygmy/cherub angel would probably be okay size wise...but just as likely to nip. I personally have never kept an angel because it wasn't worth the risk of coral loss to me. I've always been more of a coral junky though.

[MizTanks]

I do like my fish As far as tank sizes it is an opinion I agree~No I wouldn't put a 6" fish into a 30g tank but a 3 1/2-4" I would.

Through much research and asking for opinions here I've learned a lot about these angels. I've also learned that some house them without issues and others have had their corals tore up.

Thanks for the heads up Jim on the Cherub Angel~very beautiful fish and the smallest of the pygmy angels. Behavior the same yes. However it wouldn't take much to remove my rock if needed if she were to become to destructive.

It appears that more then not have had their corals nipped at but not destroyed. Am I willing to risk it, YES!

Thanks for the input every one