Cherub Angel; Your experience, Reef-Safe or not?

[taketz]

The title pretty much sums it up, I am looking into getting a Cherub Angel for my tank and I just want to know what the rough odds are in getting one that won't eat my corals?

[jda]

About 50/50. Some types of coral are higher risk than others. I would not try it unless you can easily catch it.

Also, it could be fine for months or years and then all of a sudden start to pick/eat the coral.

[taketz]

Thats what I figured. Do you know what types of coral they usually go after?

[xxtriggermanxx]

I have had mine in a mixed reef for about five years with no issues. I have lps, softies and sps no clams though. but they are a great fish! go ahead get one you know you want to!

[SDguy]

Mine experience was literally 50/50. I bought two. The male was fine. The female was ravaging SPS and gorgonians within weeks. I'm not exaggerating either. She was ravenous.

If you are picking the argi because you think it's the most reef safe, forget it. Pick the dwarf angel you truly want, since it's a chance either way. Just be ready with a trap to remove it if necessary.

[axia55]

I had one and got rid of it because it nipped at my clams and softies, not worth the risk IMHO.

[edsimmons]

I'm trying to catch one now.It was fine for 3 mo and lately started nipping at LPS.

IMO not a good idea in a reef tank with coral your not willing to risk.

[xravenzx]

Mine hasn't bothered any of my corals but has nipped at my clams quite a few times. They are risky. Sometimes I wish I hadn't picked one up, but has been pretty good with my corals.

[bigloggerhead]

My buddy has one in his 55 and has had no problems for over a year now.

Another friend of mine has one in a 30 and also no problems to speak of.

[Bret61081]

mine made short work of my GSP....the whole colonly was gone within a week! cute but i wouldnt add another one!

[xxtriggermanxx]

sorry to thread jack but sdguy how do you tell the sex of a cherub? and should i start to worry?

[SDguy]

I just added one large one and one small one. They paired no problem, and, in fact, the local guy that bought them from me has since had them spawn.

Should you start to worry about what?

[BMW///M3]

Hell no! I had one that with in 5 minutes was destroying my SPS colonies, just going from one to another and laying waste, i mean i'm not talking a little nip, it was like the tazmainian devil attacking them! He went down the toilet! That will teach the little s*&t. I had a potters angel in there with him, and he was in there beofre and NEVER touched a thing, then he watched the cherub and played follow the leader. Ughhhhh, NO more angels for me, thanks.

[SDguy]

You flushed a fish because it ate your coral?!

[Moonstream]

Flushing live fish is wrong!!!!! You should have found them a new home. It is always a good idea to have a back up tank with any possible coral eaters, or have some where to put them, even if it's in the fuge! Really it is bad to flush live fish. As for the original question, have a back up plan for the fish, and be ready to catch your fish if you sea him nipping.

[hankthetank]

Flushing is wrong.Put 'em in the freezer if you want to euthanize a cold blooded animal

[Sheol]

1 year mixed reef. NO issues whatsoever, except some digging and bullying the damselfish. Wonderful fish..

Sincerely,
Matthew

[edsimmons]

Originally posted by BMW///M3
Hell no! I had one that with in 5 minutes was destroying my SPS colonies, just going from one to another and laying waste, i mean i'm not talking a little nip, it was like the tazmainian devil attacking them! He went down the toilet! That will teach the little s*&t. I had a potters angel in there with him, and he was in there beofre and NEVER touched a thing, then he watched the cherub and played follow the leader. Ughhhhh, NO more angels for me, thanks.

You are a BAD Reef keeper!!!

[happyface888]

Originally posted by xxtriggermanxx
sorry to thread jack but sdguy how do you tell the sex of a cherub? and should i start to worry?

Bump I'd like to know too. thanks oh also how hardy is this angel?

[SDguy]

They were hardy, IME. They came in pretty messy though...ich, flukes. I would QT, or at least a minimum 10 minute pH and temp adjusted FW dip.

Other than size, like I said, there is no other sexual dimorphism that I could see.

[happyface888]

O.o SD u mentioned earlier you had a pair? and the female was nipping how did you know it was a female? Sounds like a cool angel, I think I might get one along with a rusty angel. Thanks
Oh one more thing sorry I dont know what IME means could you tell me.

[SDguy]

IME = In My Experience

The smaller one is always the female in a pair. They were a pair because they never fought.

I hear they are very aggressive for their size...I'd be careful about mixing with other angels.

[happyface888]

Oh I see thanks