Keeping P. Navarchus in a mixed reef

[BkkReef]

Ok.. a big question... Can you keep a Navarchus angel safely in a mixed reef with LPS, soft corals and a clam or not? I've just read an article here and it really has me keen to try one....

Author Gregory Schiemer suggests in this months edition that its possible. Yet, only 2 years ago in his article on angels (AQUARIUM FISH by GREG SCHIEMER- Angelfish in the Reef Aquarium…Again), he said "I’ve tried to keep the irresistible P. navarchus in reef aquariums on at least three occasions. Each time I met with failure. Every one eventually turned to picking at LPS corals and clams."

OK I am a bit confused as to what to believe. I appologise Gregory, but as there was no reference to this past article in the current one to explain this change of mind, it kind of leaves me confused.

What do other members here say.. Has anyone had any luck with keeping one and not loosing LPS and clams... Maybe you can clarify for me Gregory.. I appologise in case I seem a little rude with my questioning.
I want to keep one of these fish, but am not willing to move some hard to get LPS and soft corals that I have. What are the chances of getting a good fish as opposed to getting a coral muncher

 

[npaden]

I think this isn't a fish that you want to add unless you are willing to take some risk. I've even seen some surgeonfish that like to nip at meaty LPS corals like open brains and had a Kole Tang that harrassed my clams by constantly nipping at their mantles. I think putting a % on it is going to be very difficult, and even at 75% reef safe there is still going to be plenty of risk. I've never kept one, but based on what I've heard from people who have had them, I would probably put them at 50%.

Soft corals are more likely to be nipped at than anything else IME and any meaty LPS like open brains. If you aren't willing to risk them I wouldn't add the fish. There is a chance it will leave them alone but there is a chance that it will start nipping and develop a preference for them. I think feeding heavy will help keep them from nipping but even then it isn't a sure thing.

I actually have a regal and imperator angel in my reef tank right now, but they ate some clove polyps and eat zoanthids as well as keeping my aiptasia in line. They nip on my SPS a little but not excessively and so far have left my clams alone. They are beautiful fish and I would rather have them in the tank than clove polyps or zoanthids. If they start nipping clams they will have to go though.

Hope this helps a little.

Nathan

 

[GSchiemer]

Nathan explained it very well. If you're not willing to move or lose certain LPS and soft corals, then I suggest NOT adding ANY angelfish to your reef aquarium.

My statements regarding Pomacanthus navarchus weren't really inconsistent. I did have problems with two specimens in reef aquariums many years ago; although my current specimen hasn't touched anything, including clams and soft corals. That's the way it is with angelfish. They're all somewhat risky in a reef aquarium and no one can make guarantees that an individual specimen will be "reef-safe."

Since that last article, I've seen and experimented with a lot more angelfish in reef aquariums. Based upon my "research" and experience, P. navarchus is the least risky of the angelfish in the genus Pomacanthus, so if you had to have a Pomacanthus sp. angelfish in your reef tank, this would be my recommendation. But if it picks at your "special" corals, don't complain to me.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

P. navarchus is the least risky of the angelfish in the genus Pomacanthus, so if you had to have a Pomacanthus sp. angelfish in your reef tank, this would be my recommendation. But if it picks at your "special" corals, don't complain to me.


Agreed, but I would place P. imperator a VERY close second, if not on the same tier. The key is to get a young specimen. This is of course colored by the fact that I've not tried EVERYTHING. I would very much like to put a young maculosis in a reef tank one of these days.

I course I have to mention, that anyone who just MUST have an angel in their tank, but wants the lowest risk - C. argi. Yeah I know he's not a pomocanthid, but I like singing his praises any chance I get. A great little reef angel. Sure he's a bit snitty, but he won't eat your corals.

 

[Anonymous]

I course I have to mention, that anyone who just MUST have an angel in their tank, but wants the lowest risk - C. argi. Yeah I know he's not a pomocanthid, but I like singing his praises any chance I get. A great little reef angel. Sure he's a bit snitty, but he won't eat your corals.

I agree, I just love the little guy!

 

[BkkReef]

Thanks for the reply.. I think I will give the angel a miss..

Navarchus is a beauty, but I am not going to risk it.. I like the regals too, but they would have a go at my bubble tip anemones I think LOL...

So I think I will search out a nice little Centropyge angel.. I have kept several species in the past and never had any nipping. I've kept the Nox angel, coral beauty, golden angel, potteri and rusty angels. All were fine - but hey.. whos to say.

Fingers crossed and keep my fish trap ready LOL.

 

[GSchiemer]

Thanks for the reply.. I think I will give the angel a miss..

Navarchus is a beauty, but I am not going to risk it.. I like the regals too, but they would have a go at my bubble tip anemones I think LOL...

Actually, the Regal Angel is a LOT safer in a reef aquarium than any of the Pomacanthids and most of the Centropyge species. I would be shocked if it attacked a bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor).

Greg

 

[GSchiemer]

I would very much like to put a young maculosis in a reef tank one of these days.

P. maculosus is actually one of the better choices for a reef aquarium. It's probably no more risky that P. imperator. I know a number of aquarists keeping this fish successfully in reef aquariums. OTOH, P. asfur is a bit too picky for my taste and I wouldn't recommend it.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I would very much like to put a young maculosis in a reef tank one of these days.

P. maculosus is actually one of the better choices for a reef aquarium. It's probably no more risky that P. imperator. I know a number of aquarists keeping this fish successfully in reef aquariums. OTOH, P. asfur is a bit too picky for my taste and I wouldn't recommend it.

Greg

Great. 8) I asked Scott Micheal about this a while back and he said the same thing. Next large reef, I'm going to add a young Mac.

Yeah I wouldn't risk purchasing an Asfur. The mac is a much better choice just on the overall hardiness front it seems.

I remember when you couldn't get an Asfur or a Mac unless you had $400-$800 laying around.

Maybe in a few years Clarions will all over the place.

 

[GSchiemer]

Yes, P. maculosus is one of the more hardy and personable Pomancanthids. It makes a great "pet."

Greg