coral beauty and cherub angel questions

[capman]

My questions are directed to any of you who have kept coral beauty angels or cherub angels (the latter are C. argi):

I am getting a hand-me-down coral beauty soon and a cherub from another source.

I'm wondering how likely either of these is to eat sponges? I'd like to put one or the other in a tank that currently has some nice sponges, and I'm wondering how likely I'll have to move the rocks with the sponges to prevent loss of the sponges?

Also, how do you think either one or the other of these would handle being in a 40 breeder along with a pair of maroon clowns (and a small pajama cardinal). I'm actually mostly thinking of trying the cherub in this tank. I'm thinking the clowns will probably not care about the angel once they get used to it (the maroon has pretty much ignored other fish it has been with), but I'm wondering how likely either of these angels will be to pester the clowns. I have read that the cherub angels can be pretty aggressive, but this female maroon is huge, and I can't imagine her putting up with any pestering by a smaller angel.

Also, what have your direct experiences been with the general reef-safeness of these two angels?

Thanks.

[Graham]

These are the only two angels I have ever kept.

I had my argi in a 40 breeder and it did well. There was also a very territorial A. melanopus in the tank and they got along fine. I think anything other than an argi should (optimally) have a larger tank. Sometimes my Coral Beauty seems bored even in the 120...but they are one of the most beautiful fish IMO.

Neither of the two ate sponges that I could tell, though they do pick the rock. From what I've read, they like small feather duster worms and since I've never had large populations of them in my tanks with these angels, I wouldn't disagree...other than that, I've heard of beautys picking at brain-type corals and clams, but I have never experienced this.

[capman]

Thanks so much for your observations.

I think I'll try the argi with the maroon clowns, and this tank is simple enough in its setup (and essentially has no corals) that I'll be able to retrieve the fish from the tank if I need to.

Do you think the argi will beat up on the pajama cardinal?

I think I'll avoid putting either into complicated reef tanks that would essentially have to be disassembled to get them out in the event of problems.

Did you have either of these fish in with giant clams?

Did you have opportunity to see whether they would pick on Caulerpa?

I do realize, by the way, that results will likely vary with different individuals.

Thanks.

[manderson0805]

I've had a coral beauty for about 6 months now. The only time I see him anywhere near anything but food is picking the slough off the leathers, and the expelled stuff out of my LPS. It's been a great fish so far

[capman]

manderson,

Any aggression toward other fish? What other fish is it in with?

[manderson0805]

It's in a 46 bowfront, with a pair of clowns and a pink spotted watchman goby. The angel instigates the goby, to the point of the goby chasing it away

[Graham]

Bill,

The argi I had was a model citizen. He was in the 40 with the clown and a sleeper goby. I have always had angels in tanks with both clams and brain-type corals and never a problem.

I did have some Caulerpa in the 40 for awhile (can't remember which species). The argi definitely didn't eat it. There was a bit of different macroalgaes in my old 90 gallon at different times. The CB didn't eat any of it.

BTW, personal observation - CBs definitely won't eat Valonia.

[MERCEDES]

Bill,
There is an article on these angels in the current aquarium fish magazine that I just got yesterday. PM me your fax at work and I will send you copies. If I can figure out my scanner at home with the new PC I can e-mail. But I think that may take longer I have a whole new system to deal with. I have a Cherub in my tank with the zoo's and baby bangaiis. Cool fish , but I am keeping a keen eye on him to see if he eats anything. They said in the article they will eat macroalgae so if you want that growing don't put them in that tank. They eat detritus and coral slime and can also pick at clam mantles. It said if I remeber correctly that the cherub was the least likely to cause problems. I will read it closer tomorrow, I better get to sleep since I have to work at 8:30 am

[Ben Nicholls]

My coral beauty never bothered either sponges, or my clam and showed no agression to the other fish. He did really like to eat nori.

[capman]

Thanks everyone. I have that issue of Aquarium Fish at home, but thanks so much for offering to send me a copy.

You know, I have to wonder whether some of this dwarf angel behavior might be partly a function of how heavily they are fed?

[Graham]

I have never considered myself a heavy feeder at all and angels have always been model citizens. I think it's more than that...

[MERCEDES]

One of the big zoo collectors posted on zoosrus.com that he has had pygmy angels for 14 years without any problems. Makes me feel better about the Cherub I got from Dirk.

QUOTE]Originally posted by ZooMonster
Just for the record... I've had quite a few pygmy angels and love them. I've had flame, flameback, lemon peel, bicolor, potters, rusty, golden, coral beauty, black and more. Never had a problem in 14 years with them and corals of any kind. Like I've said before thay get a bad rap because they are such good grazers. They will meticulously clean strands of macro algae from colonies while it appears they are polyp nipping because the colony might close up. Not saying it never happens but I've never had a problem. Worst I ever saw was my flame take a dive bomb on a pacific nassarius and chomp off its probiscus (snout). [/quote]