Rock Beuty Angel

[engelphotos]

So,

Visit lfs and purchase awesome Rock Angel. Get home everyone is fine and acclimation goes well. He's in a 30 gall relocated from lfs in a 150 gall now. appears very happy in new home. lfs fed him before he left. I start reading and now realize that this is a somewhat difficult fish to keep. he's probably 2 1/2" long right now lfs said probably 18 months old. So far my biggest hurdle is getting him the right food any one have any experience and or suggestion's other than do more research before purchasing a new tank mate !!!:fish:

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Research is certainly a key. Do you know what the LFS was feeding? If so, start feeding that and begin to offer other food alternatives. Rock Beauty's are beautiful fish however, it won't last long in your 30g tank. They need a lot of space, ie large tank hence why he was in a 150 before. They are semi-aggressive meaning it's most likely the last fish you'll be able to add to your tank. They can be reef compatible if kept fed but given the opportunity, they will pick at corals. Good Luck but my best advice would be to rehome the fish and save yourself the trouble.

 

[engelphotos]

i'm sorry he's in my 150 gallon tank, lfs told me he was a "community" fish. I did read about the semi-aggresive nature. I think if he's well fed others will do ok ? He was being fed flake food so that's what i gave him this am, looking to branch out, i read somewhere they like spinach leaves.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Ok. Better that he's in a 150. I understood you put him in a 30 so I probably read that backwards. Yes, spinach leaves could be an alternative as well as Nori leaves. You will also want to use frozen brine and mysis so that he gets his "meat" portions. Each fish is different. He may get along with everybody from this day forward or he might turn aggressive. There's no real way to know which way he'll go.

 

[mcphock]

Primarily a sponge based diet... typically require specialized foodstuffs.

Might want to see here:

 

[engelphotos]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to try all of the above. From what i've read it seems as they get older they need more and more of their base food ie.. sponges so i'll keep everyone posted. I'm at work today but will get a picture up soon. thanks for the article link

 

[jennm]

It's not coral safe either - do you have it in a fish-only, or a reef?

Jenn

 

[jennm]

Isn't right or is right?

Given that Rock Beauties are picky eaters when it comes to prepared foods, that, IMO puts them at a greater risk for nibbling on corals.

JMHO - I don't have a whole lot of experience with Rock Beauties - I didn't keep them for those reasons - tricky to acclimate to captive life, and coral nibblers.

Jenn

 

[engelphotos]

jennb,

i've also read that same thing. Their picky eaters and will pick at corals. They will also nip at other tank mates. apparently they are nipping at the slime? that coats each individual fish. So those that produce more of this coating are more prone to being" picked" at. I've also read that if their taken care of they won't act badly ? He's eating well and appears acclimated. He has found a favorite spot at night and moves around during the day. I only have two corals since i'm waiting on some MH and LED's to arrive. I will see how things go and if he becomes a problem I will have to see if either the lfs will take him back or re-home him. I really hope he behaves since my wife has named her Abby from NCIS since she has black lipstick on ??? Why wife is a little crazy

 

[jennm]

I think the well behaved ones are more the exception than the rule. Getting them as juveniles can help, they learn that there are prepared foods coming regularly, so the need to forage isn't as great, however it's what they do in nature, and it's nearly impossible to 'train' them out of natural behaviors.

Watch and wait is about all you can do, but don't be terribly surprised if it lives up to the stereotype.

Jenn

 

[engelphotos]

So update on the "Angel" still eating very well still havn't ordered special foos specifically for Angels. Still behaving poorly but tolerable. Put a Cleaner shrimp in the tank yesterday, this fish is in LOVE!! I mean head over fin in love with this shrimp. All over him rubbing up against him, it's like a long lost family member just showed up. I knew they would get along but this is crazy. Also, lfs told me if i wanted to they would buy him back:up:

 

[jennm]

If the fish is seeking out the shrimp excessively, it might have a parasite or something irritating it. Keep a close eye on that. It's normal for them to interact periodically for an 'inspection' but if it's constant, then the fish has an itch it needs the shrimp to scratch.

Jenn