Re: Nitrates... (follow up 9/1/06)
Hi there,
Hi Aaron>
Continuing my letter I added my bicolor angelfish, and every since I added him he has been underneath a piece of live rock and not coming out. I can see him, he is not breathing heavy and is swimming in place fine. <Good signs>
Is he just being shy.
<Most likely>
Everything else is fine. All of my levels are ok.<Great>
Nitrates are at 10 maybe a little more ppm. Way less than 30.  everything else is just about at zero. <Excellent>  
Is there anything I can do to make him feel safer and come out.
<Give him his space and a little time.>
Leaving lights off for a day? <Sure, can't hurt and may help.>
I tried putting a lettuce clip in front of the rock.
<That's fine as well.>
I am just concerned he's not eating.
What is your opinion.
<He is most likely adjusting to his new home. If he was eating and in good weight before you brought him home a couple/few days without eating should be fine. Mine snacks on goodies in the sand and rock, so he may very well be doing that when you are not peeking.>
Thank You, Aaron
<Your very welcome, Leslie>

Dwarf Angels, sel. sys.  6/29/06
I'm in the process of stocking my 240 marine tank, and would like to add two or three dwarf angels. On some sites, they say you should not do this, on others, they say the dwarf angels will get along in a 75 or larger tank.
<Centropyge of all species are better housed in large/r quarters>
I like the Coral Beauty, Bicolor, Eibli, Flame, and Half Black. Would two or three of any of these get along in a 240 with lots of caves and hiding places?
Teresa
<Likely so... though you might not see much of any of them so kept. I would leave out the Eibl's and Half Black myself from this list. Bob Fenner>

Re: Dwarf Angels, sel. sys.   7/2/06
Hello Bob,
<Teresa>
Thanks for taking the time to write. Disappointed to hear that, so will decide on only one for the tank. Just setting up the tank, so you'll
probably get another question or two over the summer. Great website you have, a wealth of information.
Teresa
<Thank you... and don't be too discouraged. There are many other wonderful choices to consider, sort through. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Just a tid bit... re Success with Centropyge potteri  - 05/13/2006
I wrote to you guys a while ago about keeping a Potters angel, and do realize that this is not an easy fish to keep. Just wanted to say that it's
going on ten months now and this fish is doing wonderful.
<Ah, good>
I really believe that adding a refugium and setting  up the tank with live rock and good lighting made the difference with this guy. His colors are unbelievable. the other thing that I think was important is to give this fish a lot of room, he's in a 75 gallon tank and no other dwarf angels, I just hope he stays healthy for a long time. wanted to pass this along to others Ron.
<Thank you for this. You have likely saved many individuals of this Centropyge species. Bob Fenner>

Aggression Towards Its Reflection - 04/03/06
Hi everyone.
<<Hello!>>
I've had a rusty angel for about 2 weeks now and he's been doing great.
<<Ok>>
Today, for the first time, I put a "seascape" background on the back panel of my tank.  It's dark blue with plants, etc.
<<Mmm, yes...know the type.>>
Next thing I know, the rusty angel is "attacking" his reflection and bumping into the back and side walls of the tank.  I think that the darker background on the tank has heightened his reflection in the side walls as well.
<<Possibly>>
I read on your site that I should tape paper to the sides of the tank to lessen the reflection.  I've done that, but he still is bumping against the back wall.  This has only just started happening within the past couple of hours (and I just put the background up around the same time this started).  My questions are:
1.  Is this behavior dangerous for the rusty and could he hurt himself?
<<If the fish is not "slamming" itself against the tank wall it should be fine.  I have seen this behavior often (my wrasses/Anthias go through this most every evening as the lights go dim) and rarely have I seen it result in injury to the fish.>>
2.  Will he eventually outgrow this behavior, or do I have to remove the background paper (which I had thought was beneficial to the fish psyche)?
<<I would leave the background if you like it...the angel may or may not "adjust".>>
My other fish seem to be experiencing no such ill effects.
<<Indeed...likely less territorial than the angel.>>
Thanks as always for your expertise.  
Pam
<<Always welcome.  Regards, EricR (not an expert <G>, but a mere student of the hobby)>>

Centropyge argi in a 20H - 2/26/2006
Would one of these guys be healthy and happy in a 20H?  The only other fish would be a black ocellaris or a true percula.  The tank would have lots of hiding places because of live rock and a little bit of filamentous algae for him to munch on.
<<I wouldn't do it.  Too small of a system for adequate grazing, lateral movement, and living room.>>
Thanks for the help today and in the past.
<<Glad to help.  Lisa.>>
Best regards,
Travis

Centropyge Potteri (Second name of species always in lowercase, mate) Centropyge potteri 11/3/05
Hi Bob, it's Ron from your native R.I, 
<Hi Ron, actually not Bob with you tonight, Adam J.> 
I picked up a Potter's angel about six weeks 
<<Proper name, capitalized, possessive means an apostrophe is to be used before the 's'. MH>>
<Thats a tough one.> 
<<Possessive, use apostrophe before 's'.>>
ago and it's doing very well by itself in a 20 gallon tank with a refugium and skimmer on the tank. I know this fish will need a larger system soon 
<Yes.> 
and my 75 gallon tank is already full with a flame angel that is two years old. My question is to keep this potters (Potter's) healthy could I put him in a 30 gallon tank with maybe one two other fish. 
<In that size tank I would leave him alone, even then this fish require at least a 55-gallon tank as an adult with lots of LR to roam, that refugium you mentioned is a great asset to this fish as well.>
I really believe it's doing so well because of the refugium and natural setting i have provided, i kept two others some time ago one faded away slowly the other was lost to a power head when the prefilter fell off. , what's the best way to go with this guy. Thanks Ron
<Adam J.> 

Possible fin or tail rot?  9/7/05
Hi
<Hello Jeri>
I have a coral beauty angel that is having some issues. We have a 46 gal tank.
<Too small...>
Wet/dry filter, 2 powerheads, and a penguin bio wheel power filter (to acclimate the wet/dry). We have 2 clowns, 1 coral beauty, 20 red leg hermits, 7 turbo snails, 1 emerald crab, 1 cleaner shrimp (Super cool), and a Condylactis anemone. And about 20lbs. live rock. Water conditions are ammonia & nitrite 0, nitrate 30ppm, Salinity 1.022, <I would raise, keep this near 1.025>
Ph 8.2 & Temp 80 degrees. (which is high, we normally run at 76 - 78 degrees). We just got back from vacation and will remedy that problem. My Coral Beauty has what looks to be fin or tail rot now.  We thought the fish had Lymphocystis and let it run its course. We just tried to keep water quality good and fed healthy diet.
<Good... this is what I would have done>
Now the spots have fallen off and it looks like in most of the places the spots were he has holes. When we left him on Friday he had 2
holes in his tail. LFS asked if he was eating, which he is better than ever, and if the holes looked frayed. At that time they were not. LFS said it could be one of the clowns and that usually when you have a complete hole in the middle part of a fin that it is usually a bite from another fish. Said to watch fish for changes.
<Mmm, no... very likely is water quality directed... from your wet-dry type of filtration, stress from being in a small system...>
Well we just got back from vacation and the holes are frayed in the tail, the right side of his mouth is white (looks swollen and discolored), and he seems to have a nasty sore or ulcer on the ridge of his back.
Also where he had the largest of the white spots. He is eating and swimming better than he ever has before.
We are not sure what this is or what to do for him.
<Could, can modify the wet-dry, add other filtration moda... DSB, Refugium, macro-algae... more live rock...>
We do have a hospital tank available for him, but we just don't know how to treat him and our LFS is closed
for 2 days. Our QT is 20 gal tank with a blue damsel in it. We have a separator net we use when quarantining a fish. Not sure what to do in the case of treating a fish. This tank has a penguin BioWheel
powerfilter as well, powerhead, airstone, and some PVC.
I guess my questions are:
Do you know what is wrong with the Coral Beauty?
<Environment mostly, likely nutritional, social aspects secondarily>
What should we do about it?
<Consider improving the above>
If he needs to be treated in the QT, do we need to remove the biological filter?
<Mmm, no benefit in moving this animal, not a pathogenic disease...>
I think that is everything. Sorry for the long email, but I did searches on the FAQ about fin rot, white mouth, & Lymphocystis couldn't find the help I needed.
Thanks,
Jeri
<No worries re length. State what you think is important (you have done this well). Please start reading here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mardisease.htm
to gain an understanding, more holistic view of what "disease" is... then here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/centropyge/index.htm
for the linked FAQs files above on Centropyge "Systems", "Disease/Health", and "Feeding". Bob Fenner>

Re: Possible fin or tail rot?  9/8/05
Thanks for great advice. I will start raising the salinity slowly. There is one sore on his back that seems to be open and I can see some pink. It is where the largest white spot was. I know you said to improve environment, but would he benefit from PolyAqua? That
was recommended from LFS and to improve his environment.
<The PolyAqua will not improve the environment or benefit this fish>
We are looking to get more live rock for the tank. Also I have heard about putting small pieces of Live
Rock in the wet/dry instead of bio balls. Does that really work to keep the system clean?
<Yes...>
I had no idea that our tank would be too small for this fish.
<You can read re... on WWM, books>
I don't know what some LFS are doing. You ask for advice and assume it will be good.
<My real "advice" is assume nothing in this world indefinitively>
Glad I found you all here to double and triple check any other advice I get. We are saving up to buy a Tenecor
Marine ready 150 gal tank. We may be buying sooner than we thought.
I will check out the articles/FAQs that you recommended.
Thanks!
<Real good. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Re: Possible fin or tail rot?  9/8/05
This morning the Coral Beauty is not eating, breathing very hard, laying vertical against a rock, and letting the hermit crabs & emerald crabs eat away at his fins.
He is swimming into them and staying there like they are cleaner shrimps. Water parameters all same except temp is 78 and salinity is about 1.023. Clowns are eating and doing well.  
<...>
We are going to remove him from the tank so the crabs can't do anymore damage. What else can we do for him?
Jeri
<... read... what is your take on the size, type, quality of habitat... its suitability for this species? Bob Fenner>

Re: Possible fin or tail rot?  9/8/05
Our LFS has been testing our water quality every time we are there. They do not sell fish to people with unsafe water conditions. I was told by them and from things we have read that 40ppm nitrates is not toxic.
<Depending on the "cause/s" of nitrate accumulation... In general, more than 20 ppm. is to be avoided...>
We are trying to improve the water quality by adding more live rock, on the recommendation of WWM.
<Good... takes time>
I had read that dwarf angels need to be in at least 30gal tanks.
<Only the "dwarf dwarfs" can be housed in such small quarters... most Centropyge require a minimum of sixty uncrowded gallons (not tank size, volume of water) for one specimen... Others here would say one hundred gallons>
1 angel per 50 gal of water because they can be aggressive toward each other (even when they have lots of room). They like to eat off of live rock.
They are not the hardiest of fish, but not the most sensitive angel.
<Yes>
It was my understanding that he would do fine in our tank as long as we didn't overstock it.
We were told that we would not have a problem with the 2 clowns and the Coral Beauty outgrowing the tank. And like I mentioned earlier we are looking to get a much larger tank by the time these fish are full size.
<Need it now>
We are trying to make more informed decisions by using all different types of references. A lot of the information we are receiving contradicts each other and as a saltwater novice it's hard to figure out what is best. We are doing the best we can and are not purposely setting out to kill fish, as that would be a very expensive & cruel hobby.
<Agreed>
I do thank you for all of your help and will continue to read your site and learn as much as I can.
Thanks,
Jeri
<Jeri, it may seem self-serving, but I encourage you to "step back" here, read a "complete" book on marine aquarium keeping to gain a firm overall understanding, basis. I encourage you to visit your local library, check out what they have. I will state that I am the author of one of these works, "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist"... Bob Fenner>

Flame Angel in a 20 gallon?
Thanks for your earlier advice.  Off the top of your head, would you think I could put a Flame Angelfish in this tank (it would be alone in there, except for the small crab)?  Tom
>>>Hello again Tom,
There are a few factors that determine whether or not a fish is appropriate for a given tank size. Not only the size of the fish comes into play, but it's activity level as well. Flame angels are VERY active fish, and use very inch of a 200 gallon aquarium. For this reason alone I would discourage keeping one in such a small tank. An argi angel (Centropyge argi) or C. acanthops would be much more comfortable in this system. They are also much more reliable in the hardiness department.
Good luck!
Jim<<< 

C. argi System Size Requirements?
Hello, <Hi, Ryan with you today> I have tried looking through all of your information but cannot seem to find the answer. <No problem> I was wondering what your opinion is of putting a pair of Cherub Pygmy angels (Centropyge argi)  together in a 55G tank, I have read different information concerning
this specific species and introducing them as pairs. <I have had no issues with this combination in the past.  They can, however, be a little nippy with some LPS.  Good luck, Ryan>
Thanks for all of your help.  

The Shy Angelfish?
I bought a Multicolor Angel on 2/8.  Right out of the bag, it swam around the tank and ate.
<Good to hear! It's a neat fish! Do quarantine in the future, though, okay?>
On 2/13 I cleaned the lens on my pc lights .  I have 260 watts
of pc lighting on the tank.  Now it stays behind the rocks and will not come out into the open.  When I feed, it eats what the current takes behind the rockwork.  I can get good looks at it and see no signs of anything physically wrong.  I am curious if the intensity of the lights has scared it into the subdued light behind the rockwork?  I know the tank inhabitants are not harassing  it.  I also know the multi-color angel is a deep water fish.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
<Well, that is a very interesting observation and question. There are a lot of thoughts on this- if you ask 10 people, you'll get 10 different answers. I believe that the fish, being a deep water species, does need a period of acclimation to adapt to a higher light intensity (another good case for quarantine!). It is also a somewhat shy fish, coming as it does from a rather cryptic, rubble-based environment, 60 -180 feet down. It may be a simple coincidence that the "shyness" started after you cleaned your lens. On the other hand, the fish simply might be settling in, and sort of "learning the landscape" of the tank. I'd venture to guess that, in time, the fish may start to overcome it's shyness and aversion to being out in the open, as many of my friend's specimens have. In fact, WWM Crew member Ian has a specimen of the notoriously shy Centropyge aurantius ("Golden Pygmy Angel") which he reports now swims in the open with his other inhabitants. Keep observing the fish carefully, and enjoy the show! Good luck! Regards, Scott F>

Where Angels DON'T Fear To Tread!
Thanks for your time and assistance, it's truly valued out here in reeferland.
<And we really enjoy corresponding with our fellow fish nuts! Scott F. with you tonight...>
I have been preparing my tank for the last few months to display a Centropyge multicolor and, as this fish costs about 5x any other living investment I have made, I am a little paranoid about my preparation.
<I Don't blame you! It's a great fish, and can live a long time once it's settled in>
I've written here a few times so a Google with broh will bring up my past questions - The tank is MUCH more grown out than these older pics show http://www.skimmerless.com/content/rig/12/. The quick of it - I had a pump failure about 6 months ago, and the consequent death left me saddened, but excited that I could restock closer to my original stocking plan.
<Looks like a nice Centropyge environment to me!>
The tank has gone about 3 months now with a school of 9 Chromis viridis as the only fish. The tank is 30x30x30 with a 55gal refuge. I have let the macro grow like wild, removing only the algae that interferes with the corals by shading, or growth. My parameters are the best they have ever been, with all levels at zero except Nitrate which tends to hang out a little below 5 ppm.
<Still quite acceptable, and can drop to undetectable levels with continued good husbandry procedures>
I have been reading through the FAQs here and whatever I could find on the web about this fish. I am curious about specific algae that this fish will take. I'd feel awfully silly if all the Caulerpas (racemosa, mexicana) Dictyota I grow are not of interest to the fish.
<Well, this fish is usually found among rubble on steep outer reef slopes, so macroalgae may form a more limited part of its diet. However, if well maintained, the macroalgae can perform other valuable services, such as serving as a fine nutrient export mechanism, and acting as a haven for useful food items, such as amphipods, etc.>
The only other question I have is about lighting. The tank was aquascaped with hiding in mind - so there are lots of caves and almost completely dark areas, however, there is still close to 1000W pouring into this tank. Should I reduce my 10000k lamp schedule and rely on the 20000k more to simulate a deeper environment?
<It certainly couldn't hurt...It will certainly lend a more "realistic" look to the tank>
The only other fish in the tank will be the Chromis, a blue spot jaw, and possibly a fairy wrasse in the future. Thanks.
Bill Roh
<Sounds like a nice mix. I like your approach to keeping this unique fish! It's very cool to plan a biotope around a fish's special needs. Good luck! Regards, Scott F>

Angels (system)
the "Rusty Angel" in direct comparison to the Coral Beauty for my 29g tank?
<Both species need more room. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/centropyge/index.htm
and the FAQs beyond.
Bob Fenner>

Rockin' In The Rubble! (Creating a Rubble Zone For Centropyge)
Crew:
Current setup: 55gal FOWLR w/inverts (snails and hermits), 39lbs. LR, 4-6" DSB, 800gph flow, 10gal QT.
I am interested in two Centropyge Angels: loricula and flavissima.  I have formed the opinion that they could both work in my aquarium (feel free to insert rebuttal here).
<Rebuttal: It can work in a large tank, but in a tank less than 5-6 feet in length, it could be a constant battle between the two fishes...I'd be hesitant to try this in a 55>
On your Centropyge pages it is written:
"Habitat: Consists of coral and rock rubble, with lots of caves and crannies."  I would like to add some rubble to benefit these fish (if not for the sheer joy of saying "rubble" every time I show someone my tank
;D).
<Dude- you're speaking my language! I always refer to one of my tanks as a "simulated rubble zone" (yep- I'm a fish geek...)>
Should I:
a) buy it packaged?
<Nah!>
b) "hammer" out my own from live or base rock?
<That's what I'd do, or get smaller pieces of LR from your LFS- they'll love you for it when you buy 10lbs of 2-3 inch pieces of rubble...you'd be surprised at how much rubble it takes to get a pound of live rock rubble)
c) use crushed coral that I already have?
d) don't bother, it's a waste of time/nothing but trouble?
e) none of the above?
<Again, I'd either buy some smaller rubble-sized pieces, or take out a hammer and smash out some on your own>
Also, what is a good "rule of thumb" (not that again!) for number of "caves and crannies" for my aquatic animals?  Is 1 or 2 hiding places per fish good enough?  Thanks a million, Rich.
<I'd create as many nooks and crannies as you can to offer numerous territories and hiding places for your fishes, even if you're just going to keep one Centropyge (I'd go for the Flame Angel myself..). And I DO encourage you to keep just one in this tank...but you could add some cool blennies and other small fishes for an interesting rubble setup. Rock on (I couldn't resist that one)! Regards, Scott F>

Centropyge Rubble & How Many Crannies, Granny?
>Crew:  Current setup: 55gal FOWLR w/inverts (snails and hermits), 39lbs. LR, 4-6" DSB, 800gph flow, 10gal QT.
I am interested in two Centropyge Angels: loricula and flavissima.  I have formed the opinion that they could both work in my aquarium (feel free to insert rebuttal here).  
>>Be certain to add the lemon peel first.  I'll be honest, though, and tell you that you should expect interspecies aggression.  Be prepared.
>On your Centropyge pages it is written: "Habitat: Consists of coral and rock rubble, with lots of caves and crannies."  I would like to add some rubble to benefit these fish (if not for the sheer joy of saying "rubble" every time I show someone my tank
;D).  
>>LOL!!
>Should I: a) buy it packaged?  b) "hammer" out my own from live or base rock?  c) use crushed coral that I already have?  d) don't bother, it's a waste of time/nothing but trouble? e) none of the above?
>>By coral and rock rubble, I believe Bob means that you should have good amounts of live rock that has lots of "hidey-holes", not necessarily bits of rubble on the tank floor.  Use a minimum of 1lb./gal, up to 3lbs./gal as a start.
>Also, what is a good "rule of thumb" (not that again!) for number of "caves and crannies" for my aquatic animals?  Is 1 or 2 hiding places per fish good enough?  Thanks a million, Rich.
>>No, one or two per fish isn't going to cut it.  Use the amount of live rock I outlined above, then arrange it so that there are not only the hidey-holes, but lots of openings for the fishes to swim through.  This will help the hapless avoid aggression (though this *is* your job to ensure they don't have to work hard to avoid aggression) and give them lots of exploring places.  This is good for them mentally.  Good luck!  Marina

Questions about Bi-Color Angels
Hi Bob,
<<JasonC here, Bob is away diving>>
Had a quick question: I have a 25 Gallon mini reef, that's been going for over a year, and I just picked up a Bicolor Angel, I was wondering if this fish might be too big for my tank, or do you think it would be fine?
Thanks! David
<<well, I suppose the simple answer is yes - these can grow to 6" and that's a pretty big fish for a 25. Additionally, angels require top water quality and as such, a 25 is of a size small enough to have accidental/drastic changes that could do-in your angel. Do read up, if you haven't already on Bob's thoughts on the Dwarf angels: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/centropy.htm - Cheers, J -- >>

More on the Bi-Color
So, yes I should return it?
<<uhh, or plan to upgrade to a larger tank in the near future, sure>>
sorry, got a little confused, I asked a 2 part question, 
<<looked for the second part in your earlier email - didn't see it, now you're confusing me...>>
 I think that might be too big, 
<<the bicolor, you mean?>> 
I had a pigmy angel for about a year, and he just died, I thought this guy might be a little big. 
<<perhaps... did you check out that URL? Research before buying, is best way to go for you and your marines.>> 
I just added some live sand an wanted to get a new fish in while my Skunk Back Pseudochromis was trying to figure out where it was, its been a bit territorial, and mean to new fish!, So I think I'll bring this guy back tomorrow. 
<<probably best>>
David
<<Cheers, J -- >>

...and More on the Bi-Color
Ok, I just returned the Bi-Color, I hate when I get too impulsive with fish purchasing... 
<<yeah, impulsive fish-buying often turns out wrong, even with the best of intentions>> 
Anyway, so these guys will order me what ever I want, I've had a Pigmy angel, and while I like it a lot, I'd love to try something different... which small dwarf angel would you suggest? how are these rusty dwarfs? any suggestions?
<<it's all laid out at http://www.wetwebmedia.com/centropy.htm and as a quick aside - Bob's rating system is 1/2/3 - good/medium/poor. Check that page.>>
thanks! DAVE
<<you are quite welcome, cheers. J -- >>

Advice on Stocking a 20
Robert,
<<Not Robert, but JasonC filling in while he's away diving.>>
Hi, My wife and I are new to this hobby of saltwater aquarist. We currently have a jewel damsel in our 20 gallon Eclipse tank. The invertebrates consist of a red-legged hermit crab and 4 live rocks. Would it be wise to introduce a Flame Angel (Centropyge loricula), since the damsel seems well established in his surroundings.
<<You could house a flame angel in this tank for a little while, but I think that would be about it and you'd need to upgrade at some point if you wanted to keep the angel happy. Things can go awry pretty quick in a tank of this size, and angels are quite sensitive to water quality.>>
Later we are thinking of adding a Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosus) and these three fish would be all we would have due to the limited space. <<Due to your limited space, I don't think you could house both these fish and expect them both to live.>>
Your response to these questions would greatly be appreciated, since we are new to this hobby,
<<You should read up on Pygmy Angels: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/centropy.htm >>
Thanks, Chris and Cheryl
<<Cheers, J -- >>

Dwarf Angel in a dwarf system... big problems?
Hello,
<Hi there>
Quick question for your Q&A board-
I have recently purchased a Bi-colored angel- I watched him eat in the store before purchasing. I brought him home and he ate the day I put him in the tank and the 2 days following that- He was eating Krill, bring shrimp and Caulerpa (plants).
A few days later I tested the water (which was fine) and added a Royal Gramma. Since then the Angel has not eaten- He picks the rocks a little but stays hidden- His color is good and he doesn't look sick but he hides often and won't eat. The Royal Gramma doesn't seem to bother anyone in the tank so I don't think that it is a Quarrel.
<Might be bothered just the same>
Since then I have tried smashing Angel food (formula???) into the cracks in the rocks near his hide out but he won't come out and look at me, much less eat in front of me-
Any suggestions? Could it be grazing enough to stay full?
<I hope so... see below>
One more thing- was it a mistake to add a Bi-colored angel to a 30Gl reef tank in the long run?
<Yes. Too small a space to culture enough food on live rock etc... I would trade this fish in for something smaller. Perhaps one of the dwarf-dwarf Angels of the tropical West Atlantic... Centropyge argi, C. aurantonotus... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/centropyge/index.htm and the linked FAQs files therein. Bob Fenner>
Thanks, Hank

Dwarf Angel, Marine question
A few days ago I purchased a Coral Beauty to add to my 50 gal. fish-only tank. To make my other fish (three-striped damsel, yellow-tail damsel, niger trigger, two cleaner wrasses) less territorial, I rearranged the tank at the time of introduction. Since then, the Coral Beauty has tended to hover in about three places in the tank, tilted back (head up) at about a 60 degree angle - when swimming from place to place, it does level out.
It has also not eaten readily when I placed veggie flakes or lettuce in the tank.
<A very bad sign... likely this specimen was "damaged" in collection, handling, shipping from the wild... And your tank... is too crowded... and likely frightening to the Angel... with the Trigger, two cleaners...>
The other fish are not being aggressive towards it and quite often the trigger casually passes right beside or in front of it. The wrasses have picked at the sides of it from time to time. The damsels are much smaller and have left it alone. Should I be concerned about this unusual (to me) hovering angle of the fish - it just looks like it's having to swim harder to stay in one place.
<Yes, very concerned... if you had a more aged, live-rock-containing system that this fish could be in by itself that would be ideal... Otherwise, only time will/can tell whether the specimen stays alive, resumes swimming normally. Bob Fenner>
Thanks, Shawn

Re: Revised Stock List
Thanks for the input,
A few questions however:
1) Instead of the Butterflyfish would it be possible to add a flame angel?
<To the same forty gallon? No... I wouldn't place one of these Centropyge in anything smaller than a sixty>
If I add the angel after the tank is running for a long time (months at
least) would there be enough to eat if I also provide supplementary veggies? Would the angel pick on the anemone (probably not with the clownfish) or the soft coral? If yes, would this cause too much damage to worry? Also, would the flame angel become too aggressive with the other fish listed below? 
<If this system were larger, probably, maybe, doubtful and not to me>
Lots of questions in one.
2) Would you recommend more than one neon goby?
<In this size system, no>
3) How would a blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) go with the other items below?
<The tank is too small... you'd have to leave most everything else out... Bob Fenner>
Thanks again, Kevin