which large angle or butterfly is the safest bet for reef

[eleyan]

I know that most books and websites discurage adding large angels or most buttefly fish in reef qauariums, but I've seen several people doing so. Also most will say reef compatible with caution. So does anyone have a large angle or butterfly fish in their reef tank? if so, what kind, and what types of corals? any recomendations?

[alton]

My Queen eats everything but Xenia, my Juv. Imperator eats Zoo's but does not mess with Frogspawn, Green Star Polyps, or Mushrooms. My Juv. Blue Face is with a Clam, Mushrooms, Green Star Polyps, Frogspawn. He also eats Zoo's. Good luck, what one fish does another may do something totally different. My Imp was in my Aquarium for weeks before eating Zoo's. I think sometimes fish are like people, they all like something different in there diet? Purchase Frags to try on your Angel.

[C.Mydas]

Do some research on the web. There are some reef safe angels. We've got a pair of watanabeis and a female bellu sngel in our 150g. I remember coming across more reef safe ones when we were looking I just cant remember them now. Butterflies are a different story. I hardly ever hear of someone keeping them in a reef tank. Except for the CBB (Copper Banded Butterfly) which we have too. I'll try to find some info for you too. Hope I can help.
Christina

BTW- We have a 150g SPS tank, with some zoas, and LPS.

[C.Mydas]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/Fish.htm

Here's a good article that goes over which angels are reef safe and which ones aren't.

Good luck!

[LoneStar]

How well does your Copperband do with your clams in the tank? I have heard they like to nip at them.

[GaryP]

I have a Copperband in both of my reef tanks. One is in a tank with 4 clams. I don't have any problems. However, before you go run out to buy one I would suggest you really do some research on them. They can be one of the more difficult species to keep alive because of their dietary requirements, diseases, and being rather shy eaters.

I have heard of butterflies attacking newly introduced clams because the clams produce a stress hormone when being moved that is like a feeding trigger to butterflies. You can overcome this by building an eggcrate "cage" over the clam until it become acclimatized to the tank.

Unfortunately there is no firm rules on angels and butterflies. It sometimes can vary from fish to fish. Based on individual reefer's experiences you may hear totally different answers on the same species.

[C.Mydas]

Yep..well said Gary. Our CBB is a model citizen with our clams, but that varies form fish to fish.

[eleyan]

thanks for all the info. The article is really helpfull. It sounds like the regal angel is the best bet of large angles. Now begins the hunt :) The only place I've seen one before in austin was aquadome. in fact, they are the only place that always carries large angels, but there are always sick fish in thier tanks, so its a challange to pick one thats in good shape.
The other concern now is introducing him to the tank. I anly have 2 occupants in my new 175: a large nassu tang (8-9") and a large maroon clown (4-5"). I probably have to keep the new comer in my fuge for a couple of weeks to get him relaxed and used to the water conditions, then I will use egg crate to devide a section of the tank for him for a coupl of more weeks till he get established. Hopfully this will work. Any other suggestions in adding him to the tank?

[Bill S]

My Rock Beauty (Holocanthus tricolor) has been fine - they are such picky eaters anyway. This one was about 24 hours from starving before he figured the eating thing out... He's now the first to go after food - but still a picky eater. In the wild, they dine almost exclusively on sponges. He picks at rocks, but doesn't really DO anything to any of my corals. Most sites list them as "with caution".

[Richard]

I have a CBB and a Yellow longnose butterfly in my tank with sps, clams, zoo's, lps. They have behaved themselves so far. Some other relatively safe bet butterfly's are the Golden Semilarvatus (awesome fish) and the Pyramid Butterfly (H. polylepis).

[Dozer]

I've got this one: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=413

The picture doesn't do it justice, it's a really pretty fish. Supposed to be great in reefs and so far has been great!

If I may make one more suggestion: if there is a certain fish you have your heart set on but it's usually only sold in a store you don't care for, you have another option. Pick your favorite store (Aquatek? River City?) and just ask them to order the fish for you. This way you can get the species you want and still buy from a store you trust.

I'd look into the Lamarck's and maybe the Regal if you really want to try an Angel in a reef.

[C.Mydas]

Good choice Dozer. The bellus and watanabei are closely related to that one too. The pics do do them justice either. They all shimmer blue.

[Dozer]

Yeah, some just don't photograph well, you know? I actually didn't think I'd like it as much as I do until I saw it in person the first time. it is quickly becoming my favorite fish.

[SueT]

Also in the same genus I have a genicanthus semifasciatus. This is the japanese swallowtail. She is an awesome fish and has such personality. I llike the color pattern on this fish and she has been a great tankmate with my copperband and others.

[aquadoc]

I use four eyed and a reef butterfly in one of my tanks that have frogspawn, hammers, leathers, zoos, ricordia. Pretty cool fish. I feed them(and all my fish) the red brine that I grow myself in my brin shrimp reactor. Big fat red ones, not to mention. Butt, the butterfly fish seem to like it better than blood worms, but they do like blood worms though.