Gauging interest in a teenage Emperor Angelfish

[Markv]

Just Gauging interest here. I have had this Emperor for a while now in my mixed reef aquarium. So far, it has been a model citizen to my corals. It has however developed a bit of an attitude. I was warned about how an Emperor is usually the boss of the tank, and have learned the hard way that introducing docile fish after him is a bad idea. I recently added a Rabbitfish that was twice the Emperor's size. Given that he is the largest of the bunch and has venemous spines, I thought the emperor would leave him alone. However my emperor chases him constantly.

The rabbitfish has eradicated a 'clean water' algae(dictyota) and I am greatful for it. I do not want to trade him back. This puts me in a tough bind. I've wanted to have an emperor for the last 15 years of my life. It is by far my favorite fish, and it was great to finally keep one in a suitable size aquarium. So I am definitely sad to think of giving it away. I will only consider doing so as a last resort, and would prefer that it be someone with a 180 gallon or larger. As for it being reef safe, it's been a great fish to me. But you mileage may vary. So far, it's behaved around clams, trumpet corals, gorgonians, goniopora, euphyllias, acroporas, montiporas, sinularia, nepthea, fungias, Echinophyllia, Echinopora, pavona, and a large RBTA. It did like picking on my manicina, but I moved that coral to my seagrass tank.

At this time, I'm going to try a couple more things. For one, I'm going to try the mirror trick. By putting a mirror against the glass, fish are often more territorial of their own kind(their reflection) than other species. I'm hoping he will drop his focus on the Rabbit enough for the rabbit to become part of the community. If that fails, I will try temporary isolation. But if after that he is still a punk, then I have to find him a new home.

[traip93]

my tank will be set up in about 3 to 6 weeks. If you still have the fish then, I'll take it. I am going to get one of these either way....

How soon are you wanting to move it?

[Markv]

3-6 weeks sounds good, since I would like to take some time and try the two tricks mentioned. If after a few weeks, he's still being territorial to my rabbit, he's all yours. I would however add him last. You don't want him to be the first fish in there, unless you plan to add fish that are willing to stand their ground(like acanthurus for example).

[traip93]

I think I am only going to go with like 5 or 6 fish...

ANgel,

Achilles Tang (I have had great success with these) or Powder Blue tang

Lawn mower blennie (or sailfin, or black blennie, only one though)

and a small school of purple/pink Anthias (spelling)

THat's going to be it!!

Keep me posted, I hope it works out for you, but than again if it doesn't.....

[Markv]

You should be good then. The achilles are as agressive than the emperor, so they should fit well together. As for the small fish, they will go unnoticed. I have a helfrich's firefish, chalk bass, and two clowns that are completely ignored by my angel. I think it mostly feels threatened by food competitors, and he knows who they are when they line up at the seaweed clip in the tank.

Btw, I like your fish choices. I had an achilles for a while, I still miss him. I believe you took over my Majestic angel a while back, and I'm glad that if I have to give my emperor away, I know it's going to someone who's kept large angels before.

[traip93]

OH yeah!!!


I loved that fish, if I don't get the emperor, I'll definatley get another myjestic!!

THat fish was awesome!! Nice and fat, I gave it to another Reefer on this forum when I moved, he also got my achilles and yellow tang,.....I was glad to see all three of them got to stick together...I doubt the fish really cared...

Last I heard (about a week ago) all of the fish were doing good!!!!

THe majestic, returned to full form, the scars (from when you rescued it for HHE) cleared up, except for one little one near the eye, but it gave it personality.

[ljuhl]

Yeah, I am the one who got your 3 fishes. They are doing great in my tanks. I love to take the Emperor too when I first read this thread but I just don't have room. I already have a Majestic, Achilles Tang, Salfin Tang, Flame Angel, and a Copper Banded fishes in my 120G.

[traip93]

Nhan,

I'll trade you a Emperor Angel for an achilles and Majestic

[ljuhl]

Thanks Chad, but I got attached to the Majestic and Achilles now. I would not let them go for anything. Have you try Nemo Fish? They usually have a 5" Majestic Angel for around $65.

[traip93]

...i'll grab another achilles.....truly a beautiful fish,

I haven't checked that store out yet, I'll get to it soon I'm sure!!!

[MsReeReee]

U have acroporas and they dont bother them............i have been wanting some Angels but everyone has told me they eat them

[Markv]

Opinions on keeping large angels in reef tanks has shifted greatly over the last few years. A lot of people, including me, believe that some large angels are more reef safe than most pigmy angelfish.

A recent article highlighting the majestic angel, but makes mention of other Pomacanthus.:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005...ew?searchterm=

[robsmith32]

a lot of individuality amongst them. And helps if you keep things higher up on their diet interests around them.

Hopefully, the SMALL imperator I picked up handles himself as well.
I did notice, though that he'd occasionally give a rush at the fairy wrasse, but then leave it alone and then sleep in the same pvc tube. He seems to need something to stimulate his mind. As I noticed when feeding today, he'd grab some food spit it out and then chase it around as there is enough flow in that qt tank to keep it whirling around.

Think you hit on the head with yours though and the other competition at the seaweed clip...
Although, may try the isolation, and while he's out rearrange the rockwork.. .

[Pamsreef]

Mark,

If you don't already have two, what about putting another seaweed clip in the tank? Maybe one on each end so there might not be so much competition for the food. I have 2 (one on each end) in my 200. I have a foxface also and they're really big algae eaters. He's 5+ years old.

Good luck,

Pam

[Markv]

Pam, that's a good idea. I will try that.