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

 

[EdKruzel]

I kept a Navarchus in a mixed reef for years; it did eat a recovering open brain (given to me damaged from the LFS), however I contribute that to the excess mucus that the stressed coral had produced.
There were several other LPS, a few clams and Xenia that were never touched (I wish she ate the Xenia).

She is currently over 6yrs old and on public display (Region 19 Headstart, El Paso, TX) with a huge Ritteri Anemone and several soft corals.

I wouldn't hesitate to put one in another reef, providing the tank was a minimum of 180gals. (container size has a vast influence on social behavior).
Some key mistakes made with angels (mostly dwarfs) and reef tanks are adding a fish before the corals have acclimated and mature or added after the fish is present.
Mucus from a coral is waste/detritus and excess mucus (stressed specimen) is like candy to detritivores.

Proper diet and scheduled amounts is another mishap made by numerous hobbyists; angels graze in the wild and spend the majority of their time feeding; if fed only once a day, they will look toward alternative food sources.
This brings me to proper diet; while many processed foods such as flakes and pellets contain very nutritious ingrediants, there are also high levels of binders and fillers to create the form. Not only does this create excessive waste in the system, but requires much more than we are willing to give in order to satisfy a specimen's needs.
Variety is the key utilizing a mixture from your local seafood deli, vitamins and nori or a mixture of the many frozen prepared blends on the market. A lettuce clip w/nori is good to use daily.
Using highly nutritious fresh foods allows us to feed more often and more quanities with less waste.

Provide the proper amounts and dietary need and your prized specimens won't have the need to find an alternative and alien food source.

Ed