PLS HELP: Need Advice on Coral with an Emperor Angel

[ShoreGirl]

Hello everyone,

I want to get back into corals, and need some suggestions on what to get.

I have a 215g Oceanic starphire RR tank with a 55g refugium/sump . Running T-5 lights and just ordered a vortech mp40.

I want to start out easy but there is a slight obstacle. I have an emperor angel, so I need corals that he won't eat. He loves to eat zoanthids so they are out.

My tank has been running now for 5 years. Here is my measly fish coral list, I lost a few fish during sandy:

1 emperor angel
1 hippo tang
2 pajama cardinals
2 maroon gold stripe clowns
1 ocellaris clown
1 rusty angel
1 lyretail hawkfish
1 green chromes
2 cleaner shrimp
many snails and hermits
1 green stripe mushroom rock
3 hairy mushroom rocks

Please help me choose.

Laura

 

[mnat]

The emp makes it tough. Give Ricordians a shot. Easy to keep and a low profile to stay away from the emp. After that maybe some softer corals. Amy lps will be a toss up if he wants to eat them. Sps could be great if your tank is up for them.

 

[lps1212]

I would try to evict the emperor and than go to town with zoAs , hammers scolys and maybe a clam

 

[ShoreGirl]

I've actually thought about giving him away but darn thing eats right out of my hand.

He's like a puppy dog follows me from one end of the tank to another.

How long do they live? LoL

Thanks for the responses.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Keep the angel right where he is and set up an all-in-one nano for the corals you would like to keep

 

[Hotdogg]

My Emperor thought zoa's were M&M's...Definitely not reef safe

 

[greybolt03]

If you want start with some real cheap corals to see what he nips @ or leaves alone. Then go from there I would stay away from zoas & Lps as they are the most Likely to be hit first.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

Maybe you could try some of the more common soft coral if you're not up SPS, like GSP, Xenia, Kenya trees or some macro algae.

 

[hcker99]

I would start with some of the more inexpensive mushrooms, kenya trees, toadstool, xenia, candy canes. Stuff like that. But even those are a crap shoot. Honestly setting up another tank as a reef may just be an easier option.

 

[reefsandrotts]

go with softies for a start,I wouldnt get anything that spreads like wildfire in case you want to go the sps route.
Gsp,xenia they can and will more than likely take over your tank but if you do get these I would keep them on the sand bed as far away from the rocks as possable.

 

[lps1212]

Keep the angel right where he is and set up an all-in-one nano for the corals you would like to keep

Not a bad idea there and that way you keep the fish you currently have and you can add new ones to the nano

 

[SHLUZER]

I would keep the angel. Start with many inexpensive but fast growing corals (softies, birds-nest, ...). Make them grow fast by providing good water quality, movement, light. Feed angel several times a day (auto feeder). Most likely he will prefer the food that he is used to, instead of new food (corals).
And even if he nips on the corals, some say this will induce their growth.
Good luck.

 

[Zippy69]

If you want I have a bunch of pulsing Xenia too. I also have green and silver star polyps . Let me know, if you are going to Brian's on the 30th I can bring them.

Pete