tihnking about an emp. angel but have some ?'s

rgentry123 · 10/31/2009, 11:08 AM

i am thinking about picking up either a juvi emp. angel or a regal as my next fish, i have a mixed reef tank now and am a little concerned, mainly about the emp., as to how bad they will be at nipping or eating corals. does anyone hav experience with an emp angel in a reef setting and how bad or good they were? i know each fish is an individual but i'm trying to get a general consensus of my chances with the emp. i feel pretty safe with a regal in the reef setting. had more questions regarding my chances with the emp. thanks.

hottuna · 10/31/2009, 12:12 PM

I'd be more worried about them nipping/bullying other fish...

Paaty · 10/31/2009, 12:36 PM

I have a an adult Emp. in my mixed reef (mainly sps) and he is not too bad. He picks, and be assured they all will, but most of my corals are very large so it does not do much harm. I am sure my p.e. suffers a little, but that is a trade off i am willing to take. If you decide to get one make sure you keep him well fed or he will look for other sources of food. He picks most often on my lps and shrooms, leaves my sps pretty much alone. I currently have clams, candycanes, frogspawn, an oppen brain and I have not lost any to my Emp. Just remember it is always a gamble. good luck

Shane Hoffman · 10/31/2009, 02:00 PM

I have a very mixed reef with a 6 inch adult colred emperor...The only thing he has ever nipped at is zoas.....

rgentry123 · 10/31/2009, 02:07 PM

well i do have zoas in my tank but i would be willing to sacrifice those for the emp. without a doubt

peskyfish · 10/31/2009, 02:15 PM

Years back, I was lucky enough to get my wet little hands on the one and only ever imported Tank Raised from fry Emperor Angel, he was already a 3'' juv. I had him in my mixed reef for a while and he behaved himself. Yeah they will nip here and there, but no major damage. Get a juv and feed and "train" him and you should be ok.
Good Luck!

marinelife · 10/31/2009, 03:00 PM

Here is a small write up I did so another site:

Some information about the Emperor Angelfish from my views and some from the internet.

Scientific name: (Pomacanthus imperator)

Minimum tank size: 100-180 gallons is the range I am seeing online, I would say 180 gallons because this fish can get large.

Food: Mine loves all food, I have a mix of different Pellets that I feed mid day and a mix of frozen at night.

Care/Compatibility: So far seems hardy and gets alone with Tangs, Chromis, Anthias, and more. I have not had many issue with the Angel getting along with other Angels. I have this Angel with 3 others Angels. The Angel does sometimes chase other fish but never does any harm. This Angel could be doing well with other fish because he is in a 375 with lots of Rocks and many caves.

Reef Safe: So far I have not had any issues. I have mainly SPS corals, I do have a tube anemone and the Angel has not bothered it at all. He has been a great Aiptasia eater. I would not recommend it with soft corals

Other: Juvenile Emperor Angelfish are black with circular white and blue stripes starting at the tail. Once it grows and changes to an adult it is mainly blue with yellow stripes with white around the face. This is just one beautiful fish!!

rgentry123 · 10/31/2009, 04:16 PM

i have a 110 tall tank right now and was planning to pick up a juvi emp if i get one. how fast do they grow? i plan to upgrade to a larger tank(thinking minimum 180 but havent decided yet) but it wont be for another year to year 1/2. would i be ok or would it outgrow my current tank to quickly?

swannyson7 · 10/31/2009, 06:08 PM

My buddy has had two emperors over the years. The first one he had didn't touch anything as long as it was kept well fed, but his second one nipped at polyps and some LPS. I guess its a hit or miss

rgentry123 · 11/01/2009, 08:17 AM

kinda what i was afraid of. guess its gonna be a crapshoot

david pinder · 11/01/2009, 09:20 AM

MIne has been in my reef for year and a half never touched anything but acans.

10/31/2009, 11:08 AM	#1
rgentry123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 975	tihnking about an emp. angel but have some ?'s i am thinking about picking up either a juvi emp. angel or a regal as my next fish, i have a mixed reef tank now and am a little concerned, mainly about the emp., as to how bad they will be at nipping or eating corals. does anyone hav experience with an emp angel in a reef setting and how bad or good they were? i know each fish is an individual but i'm trying to get a general consensus of my chances with the emp. i feel pretty safe with a regal in the reef setting. had more questions regarding my chances with the emp. thanks. __________________ there is going to be an episode of intervention based on me soon if someone doesnt come up with a 12 step program for this hobby soon. And i have RC members to thank for enabling me.

10/31/2009, 12:12 PM	#2
hottuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,248	I'd be more worried about them nipping/bullying other fish... __________________ HotTuna

10/31/2009, 02:00 PM	#4
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	I have a very mixed reef with a 6 inch adult colred emperor...The only thing he has ever nipped at is zoas..... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

10/31/2009, 02:07 PM	#5
rgentry123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 975	well i do have zoas in my tank but i would be willing to sacrifice those for the emp. without a doubt __________________ there is going to be an episode of intervention based on me soon if someone doesnt come up with a 12 step program for this hobby soon. And i have RC members to thank for enabling me.

10/31/2009, 02:15 PM	#6
peskyfish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: South Bay, So Cal Posts: 191	Years back, I was lucky enough to get my wet little hands on the one and only ever imported Tank Raised from fry Emperor Angel, he was already a 3'' juv. I had him in my mixed reef for a while and he behaved himself. Yeah they will nip here and there, but no major damage. Get a juv and feed and "train" him and you should be ok. Good Luck! __________________ EX MASLAC Member Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway Current Tank Info: Several Thousand gallons @ work. 20 Gallons @ Home.

10/31/2009, 12:36 PM	#3
Paaty Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 565	I have a an adult Emp. in my mixed reef (mainly sps) and he is not too bad. He picks, and be assured they all will, but most of my corals are very large so it does not do much harm. I am sure my p.e. suffers a little, but that is a trade off i am willing to take. If you decide to get one make sure you keep him well fed or he will look for other sources of food. He picks most often on my lps and shrooms, leaves my sps pretty much alone. I currently have clams, candycanes, frogspawn, an oppen brain and I have not lost any to my Emp. Just remember it is always a gamble. good luck

10/31/2009, 03:00 PM	#7
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	Here is a small write up I did so another site: Some information about the Emperor Angelfish from my views and some from the internet. Scientific name: (Pomacanthus imperator) Minimum tank size: 100-180 gallons is the range I am seeing online, I would say 180 gallons because this fish can get large. Food: Mine loves all food, I have a mix of different Pellets that I feed mid day and a mix of frozen at night. Care/Compatibility: So far seems hardy and gets alone with Tangs, Chromis, Anthias, and more. I have not had many issue with the Angel getting along with other Angels. I have this Angel with 3 others Angels. The Angel does sometimes chase other fish but never does any harm. This Angel could be doing well with other fish because he is in a 375 with lots of Rocks and many caves. Reef Safe: So far I have not had any issues. I have mainly SPS corals, I do have a tube anemone and the Angel has not bothered it at all. He has been a great Aiptasia eater. I would not recommend it with soft corals Other: Juvenile Emperor Angelfish are black with circular white and blue stripes starting at the tail. Once it grows and changes to an adult it is mainly blue with yellow stripes with white around the face. This is just one beautiful fish!! __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

10/31/2009, 04:16 PM	#8
rgentry123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 975	i have a 110 tall tank right now and was planning to pick up a juvi emp if i get one. how fast do they grow? i plan to upgrade to a larger tank(thinking minimum 180 but havent decided yet) but it wont be for another year to year 1/2. would i be ok or would it outgrow my current tank to quickly? __________________ there is going to be an episode of intervention based on me soon if someone doesnt come up with a 12 step program for this hobby soon. And i have RC members to thank for enabling me.

10/31/2009, 06:08 PM	#9
swannyson7 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bantam, Connecticut Posts: 2,398	My buddy has had two emperors over the years. The first one he had didn't touch anything as long as it was kept well fed, but his second one nipped at polyps and some LPS. I guess its a hit or miss

11/01/2009, 08:17 AM	#10
rgentry123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 975	kinda what i was afraid of. guess its gonna be a crapshoot __________________ there is going to be an episode of intervention based on me soon if someone doesnt come up with a 12 step program for this hobby soon. And i have RC members to thank for enabling me.

11/01/2009, 09:20 AM	#11
david pinder Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: houston tx 77316 Posts: 538	MIne has been in my reef for year and a half never touched anything but acans.