Flame angel

[jacrmill]

So I have read all there is to read about these fish. I have a 30 gallon tank, and everything I have read says that would be fine. They also are supposed to be somewhat difficult, but not too bad to keep.
But for all that reading, there is no substitute for personal experience, so what do you guys think?
Oh, my system is a 30 gallon tank, with about 20 pounds of rock. I am going to continue to add rock until I get about 40 gallons. It is a Fish Only, and I will not upgrade to a reef for awhile. I also will have a 10 gallon sump, running chaeto (and hopefully growing pods) before I get the flame. Other fish are a royal gramma and a 6 line wrasse. May add 1 small goby besides the flame, not sure yet. Tank has been set up almost a year, with no significant problems.
Am I ok to add the flame now, or should I wait until I get more rock? should I just add a goby first, even though I want the flame first?

 

[pitbullcrazy]

my first flame i bought for my 30 Gal nipped at my corals. i traded him in and got a 2nd flame he did great. never touched any of them. hope this might help.

 

[jacrmill]

I dont have any corals, and dont look to get any in the near future. My real worry was how the fish behaved in a 30 gallon tank... sorry if I was unclear, but thanks for your help.

 

[pohtr]

My flame angel is my favorite. They are so beautiful. I don't know if that's helpful or not but I got him at about the 6 month point with my tank and I was clueless and he seems healthy & happy and gets along nicely. I've had him about 1 1/2 yrs. He never messed with my corals either.

 

[huskychasrs]

I guess its luck of the draw...I bought one on the third and my yt damsel picked on it it had lympho within two days and died yesterday

dunno. Not an aged tank by some standards but stable for five+ months with only one parameter hiccup (trates got to 30).
I wish you luck

 

[falynharris]

We have had our flame for several months and it has done great. But we also have a 200 gallon.

 

[nolatrav]

I've had a couple flames. The 1st one was doing great in my 72 FOWLR till I moved and he just didnt make it. Didnt have any corals at the time, but I did have a coral beauty in the same system. They seem to get along fine. After I moved I attempted to add another Flame and to be honest I dont remember what happened but wanna say he was getting picked on by my striped damsel as they both have stripes perhaps. He hung out in the corners. Didnt feel comfortable I guess. I then gave up on adding a Flame to my 72 as my other fish had matured and became more territorial I guess. I did add one to my 44 FOWLR and he seemed to be awesome as the other fish were smaller with exception to my chromis, who seemed to grow unbelievably fast BTW, but after a few later I had a nitrate spike and he kicked it.
I think their great fish for the most part, especially in smaller systems. They are an eye catcher and are very active, I personally dont think they are as shy as the coral beauty but then again I could just have a shy CB... My Flame(s) never picked on any of my other fish.
I would say go for it if you're ready to get one. I added mine prolly 3-4 after my tank was running with fish in it. Like I said, I take the blame on his death as I feel he was left in the bag too long. Beginner mistake though. My CB is still with me 2 years later and I feel if I would've been smarter at the time and done the move a little faster they would be swimming together today.
Hope this helps.

 

[murph]

FME this fish once acclimated to aquarium life will do well.
The problem is this species is vary intolerant of copper, formaldehyde and other chemicals commonly used at the wholesale and retail level to inhibit parasite problems. IMO a copper level over .15 will do enough internal damage to this fish that it will eventually go off its feed and slowly die. For this reason and considering its expense I would suggest you take a pass on this species.