Minimum tank size for a Watanabei Angel?

Razzagas · 01/29/2006, 01:29 PM

Could I keep 1 male watanabei ange in my 65 gallon (36x18x24)? i've heard some say yes and some say no.
Any opinions?
Also i want to keep 3 bartlettes (1 male and 2 females), 1 clown, and 1 leopard wrasse.
Is this too many fish?
Thanks

hlama · 01/29/2006, 01:36 PM

should be ok with enough hiding places.

irmee4 · 01/29/2006, 04:09 PM

i would say yes.

Angel*Fish · 01/30/2006, 09:07 AM

Though rocks & hiding places are important, unlike dwarf angels these fish are planktivores & spend less time picking at the rocks - thus they also need lost of swim space.

I don't know what dimensions your tank is but I'd only consider it if it's not packed full of rocks & coral & is long rather than high. 65g is puhing it either way.

Good luck - I hope you find this info hepful

sonofgaladriel · 01/30/2006, 07:33 PM

Sorry, but I would have to say that your tank is way too small for these guys. I have a mated pair and they are the most active swimmers in my tank, more so than even my tangs.
They are fast swimmers and make many quick 'jolts' across the tank, especially when the male is chasing/courting the female.
They are never just 'hanging out' in the rock work.
They are also a fairly large fish, most males comming in at 5" or larger with females almost, if not, as big. I've heard they can grow to 6+". At this size, they will be very cramped in your 65.
I had a friend try to keep a pair in a 75 gallon and they both wound up on the floor within days of purchase. Of course, this happened during the night and he found them both the next morning.
My humble opinion is that they should not be in any tank smaller than 6'. At 36", these fish will be banging off the sides all day long.
No offense intended.

Heres some pics of mine just for fun

Razzagas · 01/30/2006, 07:36 PM

Thanks for the input...i won't get one now, even though i was really hoping i could! Thanks

sonofgaladriel · 01/30/2006, 07:38 PM

These guys are definately worth getting a bigger tank for!

Kahuna Tuna · 01/30/2006, 08:56 PM

I had a pair of blackspot in my 180 and they used every inch of tank, good call Razzagas. Awesome watanabei there SoG!

01/29/2006, 01:29 PM	#1
Razzagas Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 653	Minimum tank size for a Watanabei Angel? Could I keep 1 male watanabei ange in my 65 gallon (36x18x24)? i've heard some say yes and some say no. Any opinions? Also i want to keep 3 bartlettes (1 male and 2 females), 1 clown, and 1 leopard wrasse. Is this too many fish? Thanks

01/30/2006, 09:07 AM	#4
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	Though rocks & hiding places are important, unlike dwarf angels these fish are planktivores & spend less time picking at the rocks - thus they also need lost of swim space. I don't know what dimensions your tank is but I'd only consider it if it's not packed full of rocks & coral & is long rather than high. 65g is puhing it either way. Good luck - I hope you find this info hepful __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

01/30/2006, 07:33 PM	#5
sonofgaladriel Shiny! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,670	Sorry, but I would have to say that your tank is way too small for these guys. I have a mated pair and they are the most active swimmers in my tank, more so than even my tangs. They are fast swimmers and make many quick 'jolts' across the tank, especially when the male is chasing/courting the female. They are never just 'hanging out' in the rock work. They are also a fairly large fish, most males comming in at 5" or larger with females almost, if not, as big. I've heard they can grow to 6+". At this size, they will be very cramped in your 65. I had a friend try to keep a pair in a 75 gallon and they both wound up on the floor within days of purchase. Of course, this happened during the night and he found them both the next morning. My humble opinion is that they should not be in any tank smaller than 6'. At 36", these fish will be banging off the sides all day long. No offense intended. Heres some pics of mine just for fun __________________ Its not who you are, but what you do that defines you.

01/30/2006, 07:38 PM	#7
sonofgaladriel Shiny! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,670	These guys are definately worth getting a bigger tank for! __________________ Its not who you are, but what you do that defines you.

01/30/2006, 08:56 PM	#8
Kahuna Tuna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,587	I had a pair of blackspot in my 180 and they used every inch of tank, good call Razzagas. Awesome watanabei there SoG! __________________ "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." -George Washington Current Tank Info: No tank currently

01/29/2006, 01:36 PM	#2
hlama Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: southern california Posts: 682	should be ok with enough hiding places.

01/29/2006, 04:09 PM	#3
irmee4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbia Posts: 59	i would say yes.

01/30/2006, 07:36 PM	#6
Razzagas Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 653	Thanks for the input...i won't get one now, even though i was really hoping i could! Thanks