coral beauty eating sps corals

I have a coral beauty that has been nibbling on my sps corals.  I would really like to keep the fish because it is my daughters (she picked it out, named it, etc).  She would be very sad if I got rid of it.

Even if you swap fish, the next one will do the same thing. That tank is just too young/bare for that kind of fish; and you have two of them.

Read my post about "fish training" in the Tips below.

Do you remember me saying that you need some algae growing in this tank? Any organism will start eating the next best food when their preferred food is not available. This fish is hungry and found that Zooxanthellae algae in coral tissue is tasty. Find some Macroalgae quick. Place it and some of it's water into your tank.

You mentioned the need for Emerald Entree. You are right about that, and the sooner the better. Do you have a local grocery store with dried algae sheets/Nori/Sushi wrap?

I would also turn off the alternate filtration system. That Hiatt system is evidently restricting the growth of food that the Angel needs.


Edited by Mark Peterson - November 11 2010 at 11:01am

You always run the risk of a dwarf angel nipping on corals. It is part of the risk reward in this hobby. I would only ever keep one dwarf angel in a tank and I wouldn't keep one in a tank less than 50 gallons.

In my opinion once a fish has a taste for corals it is almost impossible to get them to stop picking at them, even if they are well feed.  I would try a different coral beauty if you really want to have one.  I have had many coral beauties that never pick at my corals, but other that have.

To be honest it sounds like it would be best to get rid of my dwarf angels...

David if you need some Macro algae I have some Chaeto with lots of life in it that I am probably getting rid of half of it.  If you would like some call 435-830-4233.  Glen.

Luckedout wrote: I've bought Emerald Entree from Aquatic Dreams. Did you get some of those grazing tabs from Oceanic at the reeffest? They're suppose to be great for grazers. Sounds like your fish just want some more variety than flak food.

Luckedout wrote: I'm not sure where they're selling them. You are welcome to come grab some chaeto from me if you are in Logan. That's not too far of a drive.

The tank is at my office. I'm here from 9-5 MWF and 3-7PM Tues and TH. Just give me a heads up by call or text at 770-4043 and bring your own bag. 

You will be lucky if you can even hit the fish once. Fish are fast. Fish are also smart. They will learn that you are the boss and that if they want to stop the stick from chasing them, they have to stop looking at the coral as food.

If I was going down to get the Chaeto, I would ask Ben if he would sell me part of a pack of Frozen food, Emerald Entree if he has it.

Even just a day of no supplemental filtration will allow enough soft alge to grow on the surfaces, enticing the fish to eat that. Try it. I believe you will notice increased activity of both Angels picking more visible soft algae off the surfaces. This may even cause them to ignore and eventually forget about the coral. The training will add to the overall positive learning experience for the fish. Like kids, fish also need to be told, "NO".

Herbivorous fish are genetically and physically disposed to picking at algae all day long, just like cattle are made to graze on grass all day long. It takes a lot of algae to provide them their dietary needs. They, like cattle are supposed to have fat bellies full of algae. Their digestive systems are not designed to eat mostly flake or meaty foods.

Hope this helps.