Hey, like I said guys, I have never owned one, but from what the experts say, this fish is a bad ass fish and needs to only be with other aggressive fish. I don't doubt that the author you speak of has many years of knowledge, but the authors I speak of have actual hands on experience with thousands of these specimens over their lifetime. So don't argue with me, go tell it to Robert Fenner and Michael Paletta, they will tell you the same thing I just told the original poster, beause I basically quoted them word for word. As always, some people relate their own limited experiences to ALL fish of that kind, when in reality they may have a non normal specimen. I'm sure some orange-shoulders are nice and get along with other fish, but from what two of the most respected fish experts today have to say, they are not. I love how some people get all upset about this stuff and go nuts and start ranting and raving about how you don't know this or that, when in fact both parties are partially right or one or both are mis-informed. I never said that I know for a fact that orange-shoulders are mean fish, I just have read a few books from some of the most respected authors and relayed their vast hands on knowledge to the poster. One point that Mr Fenner makes is that not every person will have the same experience with every fish, they are just like humans, different. But when he makes generalizations, it's for a reason, because most specimens of the thousands he has witnessed, owned, etc have a certain type of behavior. And so when he writes a book he puts down these general attitudes of the fish because most, not all, will behave this way. I have never read or heard anywhere that orange-shoulders are nice peaceful reef fish. If this was the case why are they not kept more often? Hmmmm
Email Mr Fenner himself and ask him about the orange-shoulder or go to his wetwebmedia website and check out the description for the orangeshoulder. Don't kill the messanger dude, I am just relaying info that is common knowledge. If you diagree, that is fine, email Bob Fenner and talk with him about the fish. I was just tyring to help the poster not make a mistake, but obviously my help is not wanted. Hasta la Suerta, Jolly