What's the largest angel you'd keep in this tank

[Anonymous]

I normally don't solicit stocking opinions but I like the candor of the members here. I'm re-working my 5 foot 120 gallon FOWLR after some parasite problems. The tank will be ready for fish in the next few weeks. I've always kept angels and butterflies. The two fish that are going back into the tank are a coral beauty and my blackback butterfly which I've had for 6 years. I previously had a majestic, which was quite aggressive towards the butterfly. I'd like to add another mid sized angel (no large pomacanthus or holocanthus) to the tank. Thinking along the lines of one of the chaetodontoplus sp. While I really love the majestic's looks, after seeing some larger specimens, I'm thinking my system might be a bit tight. What would be your recommendation for this system. It is very well established with a lot of LR and consistantly good parameters. I'll also be adding another butterfly and some smaller dither fish over time.
Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Me personally, I'd stick with dwarf angels in a 120g, I know people have had others, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable with doing it, I'd already feel a bit uncomfortable putting a Zebrasoma tang in a tank like that but we do anyways.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd really like to have two centropyges but am leary of aggression. Ideally, I'd like to add an eibli as I love the coloration, coupled with the fact that the eibli actually puts on some size and is pretty impressive as an adult fish. I know it's a gamble but it's an option I've considered. I was also thinking along the lines of a black velvet angel (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma) which stays in the 7 inch range. An lfs nearby had one recently and it was striking.
I agree with the tang, and won't keep one in this tank due to their activity level. I think the longer I enjoy this hobby, I'm more inclined to keep smaller fish than ones that are going to be even a little bit cramped.

 

[ChrisRD]

Based on my track record with attempting to keep more than one Centropyge sp. in the same tank, I think if I were in this position again I would try mixing something from the Chaetodontoplus or Apolemichthys genera with the C. eibli. Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Vermiculated Angel) comes to mind as a commonly available possibility.

I did successfully keep two Centropyges (C. eibli and C. vroliki) in the same tank once. It was a 75 gallon tank and they were fine for years together, but they came from the same stock tank and went into my tank together. They actually hung out together and were rarely apart. It's possible they were male+female as these species are known to hybridize.

I've tried two other times to keep two Centropyges in the same tank - both unsuccessful. Both times it was C. bispinosus & C. loriculus. Once in another FO tank - introduced separately - they fought daily and eventually I had to separate them. Most recently in my 180 FOWLR - introduced together - they weren't very fond of each other but seemed to somewhat tolerate each other. Unfortunately the Flame eventually went carpet surfing - possibly skirmish related - I don't know.

JMO & HTH

 

[Len]

I think Chaetodontoplus is the ok but stretching the limits of the tank a bit. They usually get bigger then 8". Getting a smaller specimen will help since they slow down in growth after about 6 inches.

I'd get Apolemichthys or Genicanthus.

 

[ChrisRD]

IIRC, C. mesoleucus and C. melanosomais shouldn't exceed 7", but it's a valid point that some in the Chaetodontoplus genus get large.

Forgot to mention the Genicanthus genus, but I agree with Len - another good option...

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm..genicanthus. Any good bets from this family? My lfs occassionaly gets them in (mostly Lamarcks). Are some hardier than others? My references say these also put on some size too but there are some nice looking fish in the group. If I really wanted to spend some cash, I'd order a goldflake but I've hear they are hit or miss in terms of hardiness.
Thanks for the informative replies. Any new addition will be several weeks away as I'm wanting to re-introduce my existing fish and allow them to get settled again, also making sure there is no recurrence of crypt.