Contest of the Dwarf Angels: Which One to Choose?

[Zionas]

So, I’m in the late stages of my stocking plan and so far I’ve decided I’m going to go with an Ocellaris pair / Black Ocellaris (captive bred), a basslet (most likely Royal Gramma because it’s too hard to find a Swissguard in China, some dealers sell the Swales for about a similar price so maybe that’s an option too, Yellow Assessors are too hard to come by), a Yellow Watchman Goby and Pistol Shrimp, a Talbot’s Damsel / Azure Damsel, and a dwarf angel.

What’s causing me the most headache by far is getting the dwarf angel. I can’t really make up my mind about which one to get. I’ve had a look at some species that would probably work in a 3-foot, 36”x24”x24” tank, and I have narrowed it down to the following species:

1. Coral Beauty-By far the cheapest out of all the dwarf angels. Many people say they’re among the easiest if not the easiest to care for, but 1 or 2 have mentioned that those from the Philippines or Indonesia warrant caution. I don’t know where my CB will be from but it’ll be wild caught from Southeast Asia.



2. Flame Angel-I think it’s got stunning colors, but many people have said it’s not quite as hardy (though still one of the hardier ones?) as the CB and that specimens collected from certain place tend to shop very poorly.


3. African Flameback / Atlantic Cherub / Brazilian Flameback-From what I’ve heard they’re just as hardy as the CB and they only get to 3”.

4. Multicolor Angelfish-By far the priciest out of all the options I’m considering, but I think it’s beautiful and from what I’ve read it’s fairly hardy too.


5. Half Black Angelfish-Not too pricey, and from what I’ve heard one of the hardier ones too.



6. Rusty Angelfish-Its color scheme is so so, but again I’ve heard it’s one of the easier ones.



I know that no matter which one I choose, it’ll have a semi-aggressive temperament. However, I’m really looking for the hardiest one that can deal with a new system that’s not fully established yet.

Of course, I’m also looking at compatibility with the other fish I plan to include. My plan is for the angelfish to go after the basslet, but before the Talbot’s / Azure Damsel.

I would appreciate suggestions on which one to pick for my first angelfish, you can even suggest something I haven’t mentioned. Thanks.

Another thing I really like about angels is their long lifespan. If I choose CB, Flame, one of the Pygmies, Half Black, or the Rusty, I will have more control over the size of the fish because some dealers put the size of their fish while others don’t. If I pick the Multicolor I won’t know how big it is (though I may be able to request them to give me one as small as possible).

I’ll buy them as small as possibly (4-7cm) because I want to see them grow and live long. Preferably 4-5cm.



*Edit: Make that two Chrysiptera damsels. Either two Azure or two Talbot’s. I will be introducing them at the same time. However, I am worried they’ll fight with my Clownfish pair which will be established by then.

[HumbleFish]

If I was going to have only 1 dwarf angel and had to choose from your list above, it would be the Flame. Brilliantly colored, and not too bad of a coral nipper. Only a Coral Beauty would probably go easier on corals, but no where near as pretty as a Flame.

[Zionas]

What about hardiness? I can’t wait to add a dwarf angel but I would prefer one that can do

[Zionas]

what about hardiness? Maybe someone could give a ranking? I want one that can do well in a new system. Flames, I’ve heard divided by opinions on them. Some seem to have ones that live for very long, others just have bad luck with them.


Also, how long can we expect the 4” dwarf angels to live for? What about the 3” pygmies? Do they live shorter lives?

[HumbleFish]

Easiest to most difficult IMO:

1. Coral Beauty
2. Half Black
3. Rusty
4. Flameback
5. Flame
6. Multicolor

Coral Beauties are the hardiest, #2-4 are relatively easy, a Flame isn't difficult per se but sometimes intolerant of copper in QT, and Multicolors don't always ship well or adapt to captivity.

[wrott]

I agree with a flame.
Quarantine in a 10G with algae covered LR for 2 weeks to be sure he's eating.

[Zionas]

I came across two new species, the Fisher’s and the Pacific Pygmy.. Fisher’s is quite expensive but the Pacific Pygmy is the cheapest. I wonder how hardy / adaptable these two species are.

Are all Centropyge, even the pygmies, capable of doing 10+ years?


Which ones would be the most suitable for a newly established system?

[wrott]

None are suitable to a new tank.
You need well established LR that has algae and microorganisms, pods, sponges, etc..
Hence my advice to QT in a small tank with good LR and offer foods until you know what it will eat. Vacuum out all uneaten food after 15 minutes and top off with fresh SW.

[Zionas]

Before my LR is well-established enough, can feeding them food with algae and copepods and even vegetables such as lettuce or cabbage be a substitute?

How long should the QT be?

[HumbleFish]

Originally Posted by Zionas

How long should the QT be?

Read this: https://humble.fish/quarantine/

[Dmorty217]

Flames and flame back are the most colorful and best personalities in my experience. I got a flame a few months back that was the size of my thumb nail. I was worried the little girl would die or be lost in my 625g but she has doubled in size and is very inquisitive

[Olathereefer]

My vote is for the flame.

[Four drachma]

I’m in agreement with wrott, flame angels get stressed easily, and will flat out starve to death over 2 weeks. You should wait until the tank is established, and even then make sure it’s eating at the LFS before purchasing.

I just had black and white Ocellaris eggs hatch last night, if the make it I can help you out with one.


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[Zionas]

Originally Posted by Four drachma

I’m in agreement with wrott, flame angels get stressed easily, and will flat out starve to death over 2 weeks. You should wait until the tank is established, and even then make sure it’s eating at the LFS before purchasing.

I just had black and white Ocellaris eggs hatch last night, if the make it I can help you out with one.


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Aww thanks! That’s so kind of you. Unfortunately I live on the other side of the world in China. If only we lived close to each other.....

Which species of dwarf angel then would you personally recommend for a first angel?

And I’m not saying I’ll be putting one in early on. I’m giving 3 months minimum, maybe 4-5.

[Four drachma]

One of the reasons I got into the reefing hobby, was when I saw my dirt Flame Angel swimming in a large reef tank, I was immediately hooked. I now have a 600 gallon system, and so my favorite will always be a flame angel. I bought and lost 5 before I got one that survived. I was impatient, and then got a few that just wouldn’t eat. It was very heartbreaking.

One other angel you should consider though, is a gold flake...they’re very expensive, about $500. But gorgeous..I can’t over emphasize how important it is to be patient and enjoy some common less expensive fish until your tank is stable.


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[Zionas]

The plan is to put in some other fish first, that’s what I’ll do even if it’s due to the temperament. The other fish I have in mind are a pair of Ocellaris or Black and White Ocellaris clowns, a Royal Gramma (or maybe Yellow / McNeill’s / Randall’s Assessors), YWG, even some Azure or Talbot’s damsels, or maybe even a Hawkfish.

@Four drachma In your opinion which are the easy ones? And do you know anything about their lifespan? Can a dwarf or even a Pygmy angel easily push 10 years or more?

[Four drachma]

I have a coral beauty, that’s about 8 years old..most things I’ve read say 5 years, but I think if you feed them a variety of healthy foods they live longer.

I also have a flame angel. I have a 400 gallon tank though, and they chased each other around for about two weeks, now they tolerate each other.

I’d still like to have a gold flake angel some day.


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[Zionas]

What should I feed them to ensure they have a healthy and varied diet? I’d love for them to live 10 years or more. My tank will only be 3 foot long, does that bar me from the large room 4” dwarf angels?

Also, would you recommend adding any to a newer system or should I give it 4-6 months before adding any dwarf angel (even the Coral Beauty)? I heard they’re algae grazers but I wonder if I can give them algae-based food to maintain optimal health before my tank’s LR is mature enough to grow lots of algae.

[Four drachma]

You could have a Coral Beauty, but if possible I’d get the biggest tank possible to start with. You can definitely feed it, and that is recommended.

Don’t skimp on support equipment. You’ll need a water filter system, reverse osmosis, preferably a 3 or 5 stage..Get a good slightly oversized protein skimmer, I use Reef Octopus, but there are many good ones. That will get you started.

You’ll need to test your water regularly, but around the 5 to 6 month timeframe, I’d add a coral beauty. Have the person in the fish store put some food in and watch it, make sure it’s eating. If it isn’t don’t get it.

As far as feeding, there are some good frozen foods formulated for angels. I also add a few drops of liquid fish vitamins to the frozen food as it thaws in a cup mixed with tank water.


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[Zionas]

What do you think of the other dwarf angels (in terms of suitability / hardiness and swimming space required) like the Flame, Rusty, Midnight, Half Black, or any of the pygmies / Fisher’s?

I also plan to get a bit creative and feed them some chopped live seafood every once in a while. That’s means taking a trip to the seafood market and buying some clams, mussels, small fish, and small shrimp, maybe scallops. What do you think?

And then of course there’s the typical flake and pellet food, both plant based and meaty. Frozen foods that I plan to feed will include the formulated frozen food for angels and butterflies, as well as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp pastes / sticks / eggs / whatever I can find. Maybe even some freeze dried bloodworms.


Fish I’ll be adding before the dwarf angel (not finalized): a pair of Ocellaris Clowns, a basslet or two (either Royal Gramma / Swissguard, if 2 Basslets I am even looking at RG+a Yellow Assessor or Yellow Assessor + MacNeill’s or Randall’s Assessor), a choice between a Hawkfish or a YWG (undecided), and then maybe even 2-3 Azure or Talbot’s Damsels.

My current planned tank is 85 gallons and 3 foot wide but I am considering a custom made 115 gallon tank. Would 7-8 fish be overstocked for either scenario?

[Four drachma]

The food selection is great...that many fish is bordering too many...just add them slowly, with e few months between , I’m not sure I’d have more than one angel in that size tank. Part of the peaceful enjoyment of the tank, is watching the fish swim around peacefully. If you get two angels, they may chase each other around and it stresses them, and can lead to health issues, namely ich, and isn’t something you want to deal with.


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[Zionas]

I’d rather not risk it so I’ll only be getting one angel. What do you think of maybe adding just six fish in either tank size? And no more than 7?

[Four drachma]

Should be fine, so long as they’re on the small side...2 to 3 inches.


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