Nature's greatest dilemma

[ebi]

have been thinking about getting a newer larger tank.

read so much about SPS and thinking about having them in my new tank, but cannot bear to part with my love for angels...

how should I do this...

[Achilles Tang]

Taken from http://saltaquarium.about.com.

Diet & Feeding

Angels are considered to be omnivores, but most are largely herbivorous. They are nibblers and grazers feeding on a variety of small crustaceans, micro and macro algae, some filamentous algae, diatoms, and many are sponge feeders. Some species live on sponges as their sole source of food and may starve in captivity. If you are interested in keeping a sole sponge eating species, it is wise to wait for a larger juvenile or sub-adult specimen. In most cases they adapt to tank feed foods more readily then very small juveniles or large adults. You can raise them on a tank fed diet, combined with any of the many frozen Angelfish fares that are now available on the market that include edible sponge in them to supplement their diets. This way the fish is not dependent on sponge as their sole food source.

Most Angelfish adapt well to eating tank fed foods such as Spirulina, marine algae, nori, mysid shrimp, finely chopped crustacean meat, frozen preparations for herbivores, other high quality meaty fare, as well as vitamin-enriched, color enhanced flake foods.

Most species have a tendency to nip at large-polyped stony corals, zoanthids, and tridacnid clam mantles. Some also may eat soft coral polyps, or pick at other sessile invertebrates. With these characteristic traits, Angelfishes do not make a good addition to a reef tank, as they cannot be completely trusted. Even in a fish-only tank, Angelfishes should only be introduced into a well established aquarium with plenty of plant life and live rock to graze on, since marine algae and other diatoms are one of their main sources of food. This also stimulates their feeding instincts and many species will adjust to eating tank fed foods much better. Most Dwarf or Pygmy (Centropyge) Angels fair much better in tank life than their larger relatives. They are touted as being a fairly good reef safe Angelfish species, but like with ANY Angelfish, they cannot be completely trusted.

In our opinion, Angelfish are not a good choice for beginners, or for placing in a newly started aquarium! If you have a well established aquarium and at least 6 months experience with saltwater aquarium keeping, refer to our rating charts link below to see which species are best kept by an experienced aquarist. The charts are grouped by small, medium, and large species, and coded as good starters and ones that should be avoided.

[ebi]

guess I will never take the risk.

prob have to pick one of two and save for a second large tank 2 yrs later...

went "high" when I saw the queen angels at L**110. maybe sponsor a mate for my pal's blue-face and go over every sat for visits.