compatible or not?

[cheletnjared]

I have a 55 gal tank with about 100+ lbs live rock, and 5" sand bed. I also run a Aqua C Remora Pro 24/7. For lights, I am currently running 3 X 36" VHO - (50/50, Daylight, and Actinic) and will soon upgrade to include 2 X 250w MH; when I add the MH, all of my VHO will convert to actinic. My current livestock inculude a Firefish, and a 3 1/2" Foxface. I want to add what my LFS is calling a Dwarf Angel (it is dark blue with a yellow face - and a little larger than a quarter) a Royal Gramma and a pair of True Percula Clownfish. I have a nice sized Frogspawn to house the Clownfish, and I assume that they will be fine with the current livestock. I guess that my question is are these fish compatible with each other, or with time, will they - or one of them - become more aggressive towards the others? I have heard that the Dwarf Angel tends to be too passive and becomes the object of abuse from many species of fish.

Your opinions are welcome! Thanks in advance.
- Jared.

[broadwave]

Jared,
How's the skimmer running? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

All of the fish you are talking about are compatible. However, be careful with the dwarf angel since they are know to eat your corals.

If you're looking at dwarf angels look at a Flame angel or a potters angel. Both are very colorful and are for the most part reef safe. I have had both of them and neither one has feasted on my corals.

HTH

[cheletnjared]

Keith,
Thanks again for the skimmer! I like the addition to the tank, as it seems to be pulling A LOT of skimmate out of the water column. I am still getting hair algae however, but I think that can be attributed to my recent addition of a DSB (about 1 month ago now) that I feel is still acclimating and settling in, and the fact that I am still using tap water for my water changes. I think that the water is the biggest culperet, and I will soon purchace an RO unit to fix that. I don't anticipate a problem after switching to RO, with the addition of the Remora, and a DSB. Thanks again.

Back to the fish. I think that the Dwarf Angel I was looking at only grows to about 1/2 or less the size of a Flame angel. I was thinking of possibly getting a Flame as well. I don't think that I will have a compatibility problem between angels because of the distinct size and color variations, but I could be wrong there too.

- Jared.

[ErikS]

The dwarf they are referring to is called C. argi - common names include "cherub", "pygmy", and "dwarf".

I've had one for over a year. It was the size you mention at the start & it's now about 2.5" long. It's an excellent addition to the tank. They get better looking as they get older. The face gets a brighter yellow & the florescent blue line on the edge of the fins becomes more pronounced.

I would have no fear keeping this fish with what you mentioned, angels can handle themselves. They can take on anything remotely in their size class. The most probable out come is that the C. argi will be the boss of the tank. In my tank the angel never bothers the other fish unless the other one starts it - then it's look out - it won't back down. Dwarf angels are blessed with extraordinary maneuverability which makes them a real tough customer in fights (okay, lol, that & the two scalpels attached to the face).

As with all angels nothing is for sure, some nip corals/clams some don't.

[broadwave]

Jared,
Glad to see you're happy with the skimmer!

The hair algae thing is definately an abundance of nutrients in your water. Yes the tap water is probably the main culprit. Do you add additional nutirients to your tank? For instance Lugol's or any iodide type supplement?

I would definately stop feeding your tank for a while. From what you are saying, there is enough of a natural food source for your fish. I would also recommend you do not do any water changes for about 2 months. This will not hurt your tank but it will allow the skimmer enough time to remove all of the dissolved organics in your water currently. This will also give you enought time to get the RO :-)

I am not sure if you are adding Kalk at all, but Kalk will cause Phosphates to precipitate.

Talk to you later...

[SueT]

I was also guessing that you were speaking of the centropyge argi or purple fireball. They are a smaller species of dwarf angels and the one I had was so much fun to watch. With the exception of my current centropyge potteri, the argi is my all tiem favorite. It was a model reef citizen, never touched any sps and was not bothered or picked on and never did any bullying of other fish. Fed adequately it should not bother corals.