FAQs about the Yellow Band (and Asfur) Angels Selection

FAQs about the Yellow Band (and Asfur) Angels Stocking/Selection

Angelfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
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by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Timing of When to Introduce Maculosus Angel to 265g Display 1/26/17
Hello Bob-
I purchased approximately a 6 inch Maculosus angelfish
<Oh, a fave! Likely wild-caught at this size>
from a very reputable online source who I've had great luck with in the past on many occasions. BTW, after reading several of your great write-up's and other reputable sources on the Maculosus, i.e.; it's wonderful personality and hardiness after the acclimation stage, I was heavily influenced to go with a Maculosus over other large angelfish options.
<Ahh!>
This beautiful angel has been in my quarantine tank (75 gallon) for two weeks now. It eats very well (Nori, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, Spirulina, and New Life Spectrum pellets) and did so within 24 hours of receiving it. There are zero signs of disease.
<I would move this fish to the main/display tank>
He's been in the QT with a 4 inch Scopas Tang and a 3 inch Flame Angel with zero issues. However, and I've read a lot of this as being normal (you referenced it in one of your past responses), it's quite shy right now. I have a large "Y" shaped PVC tube where he always hangs out except when it's time for a feeding. At feeding time, he blasts out of the PVC tube, scoops up food, then blasts back to his PVC retreat. Bob, when do these angel fish become less shy?
<Weeks usually>
Part of me wonders if maybe the bare glass bottom of the tank, where I've noticed he quarrels with his reflection nearly every time he sees it, is part of the problem?
<Could def. be a factor; plus the dearth of hiding spaces, small confines... lack of fishes to interact with. MOVE IT>
He also darts into his PVC whenever he sees me too. I do notice that he observes me though from his PVC. Thus, knowing that he looks good and eats very well, I am thinking that maybe I need to now transfer him to his new
permanent home which is a 265 gallon live rock set-up with live sand and that might help him adjust better?
<Oh yes>
Or maybe that's rash and a bad idea?
<... no; not a bad idea>
Note that he will be the largest fish in that set-up. All of the fish in that set-up get along very well with each other. Whenever I've added a new fish in the past there, as long as it wasn't a conspecific, a new fish is pretty much ignored. There's no other angel in the 265 and there's no bully or overly aggressive fish in the 265. I plan to get a new PVC tube to place behind the reef for him since he likes his PVC in the quarantine so much (smile). However, my concern is, do you think, based upon his shy behavior in the quarantine, that he's ready to be transferred to the 265 gallon?
Should I wait longer?
<One last time: I'd be moving this fish NOW>
The other option I was considering, although it goes against my protocol for a quarantine, was to add some live sand to the quarantine tank to cover up the reflection he sees, to determine if maybe that might help to loosen him up to where he can calmly swim around outside of his PVC hang-out.
It's also worth noting that my quarantine isn't in any sort of high traffic, noisy area, nor are my display tanks for that matter. Thoughts?
Thanks, John
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: Timing of When to Introduce Maculosus Angel to 265g Display 1/26/17
Thanks Bob, I really appreciate your expert advice! I really wanted to do what was best for this fish and not be careless.
<A test that James Lawrence put me to in meeting in 95 was naming a show fish for his daughters H.S. 300 gal. tank at school... This is the choice I mentioned. Cheers, BobF>

Regal Tang Introduction with Purple Tang      1/20/14
Hi Crew – hope all is well.
<Some of this; some of that. Thank you for your expressed concern/courtesy acknowledgement>
I welcome your thoughts on adding a Regal Tang
<Paracanthurus hepatus I'll take it>
to my 96x30x30 (375 gallon) tank ... The BIG players in the tank are 5" Majestic Angel, 6" Regal Angel (Angels get along fine), 7" Blonde Naso and the most recent addition (about a 6 months ago) a 5" purple tang. As suspected, the purple tang has become the most dominate fish, not attacking/harassing, he just makes sure everyone knows he's the boss. I initially thought the purple tang would be the last addition to the tank but I’m thinking a Regal tang could work. If so, would a small +/- 2.5” Juvenile have a better chance of being ignored by the big players, or should he be much bigger to compete with the BIG players (after QT of course).
Welcome your wisdom as always.
Rick Campbell
<I do give you good odds of this fish doing well here; given the small size start and large tank. Bob Fenner>
Re: Regal Tang Introduction with Purple Tang - AND Golden Butterfly... 375 gal. FOWLR f'     1/31/14
Bob,
<Rick>
Am I asking for trouble by considering a couple/few of the gorgeous Chaetodon semilarvatus to this same group?
<A fave; and these should do fine in such a volume; given they fit in... mostly with the established Zebrasoma... which they should at their present size relatively. I WOULD keep an eye on the alpha tang and be ready to net/trap it out, place it in a floating plastic colander (spag. strainer) in the tank IF there are signs of overt aggression>
There are currently 4 in QT at the LFS, approximately 2.5" in length.
Cheers,
Rick
<And you; Bob Fenner>
Re: Regal Tang Introduction with Purple Tang - AND Golden Butterfly... 375 gal. FOWLR f'     1/31/14
Bob,
<Rick>
Am I asking for trouble by considering a couple/few of the gorgeous Chaetodon semilarvatus to this same group?
<A fave; and these should do fine in such a volume; given they fit in... mostly with the established Zebrasoma... which they should at their present size relatively. I WOULD keep an eye on the alpha tang and be ready to net/trap it out, place it in a floating plastic colander (spag. strainer) in the tank IF there are signs of overt aggression>
There are currently 4 in QT at the LFS, approximately 2.5" in length.
Cheers,
Rick
<And you; Bob Fenner>
Re: Regal Tang Introduction with Purple Tang - AND Golden Butterfly: latter, stkg./sel.    2/2/14
Bob,
<Rick>
Update:
Paracanthurus hepatus (after 11 days in QT - gobbling up NLS pellets from day one)
<Ah, good>
went into the display about an hour before lights out last night and had to deal with Mr. Zebrasoma on occasion, both frontal and caudal posturing. Displaying a few scraps this morning from wedging within the rocks overnight I suspect - didn't appear to be scalpel wounds . Here we are 24 hours after introduction and I just witnessed them swim within 2" of each other as if neither existed. I've seen a few quick bolting lunges from Mr. Z today, but they have continued to minimize as the day went on. I'll continue to observe closely over the next couple days, but I'm hoping the worse is behind me.
<Agreed>
In regards to introducing one or more Chaetodon semilarvatus, I've typically seen them singly or in pairs.
<Almost always encountered as pairs in the wild/Red Sea>
Would 3 or 4 coexist/group together considering the 375 gallon volume. Does strength in numbers also improve their chances with Mr. Alpha Zebrasoma xanthurum?
<I would go with two for sure here... And... look for a Red Sea angel to go with... I fully suspect that you would greatly enjoy an Asfur or Maculosus... perfect for this size system, setting. Intelligent, beautiful>
In closing, I remember asking my first question through this forum over 10 years ago in regards to a sump design on my first (90 gallon) aquarium.
<Ahh!>
I had just finished "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" soft cover for the first time (of many). I was completely surprised (and so grateful) when I received a response from yourself! I'm now the owner of a well used, updated hardcopy version and would just like to say Thank You for all your work towards a hobby that I love so dearly.
Sincerely,
Rick Campbell
<Thank you. Bob Fenner>

Re: Regal Tang Introduction with Purple Tang - AND Golden Butterfly. Stkg 375 f' 2/2/14
Bob,
<Rick>
I've considered an Asfur angelfish in the past but was unsure of how he'd fit in with the existing 5" Majestic and more so (my pride and joy) a beautiful yellow-bellied (and assumed Red Sea) 6" Pygoplites diacanthus (attached).
<IS a RS specimen and a beaut>
Do I have good odds of success by adding an Asfur at this point, along with the Golden B/F pair, and if so in the 3"-4" range?
<I say yes to both/all... The Asfur will likely be tank bred/reared, smallish... and get along fine here; ultimately vie with the Xanthurum as alpha fish; but undoubtedly will become your fave>
You may find in a couple years time that you're wanting even a larger display for your (biotope) tank>
Appreciated,
Rick
<Cheers, BobF>

Re: Regal Tang Introduction with Purple Tang - AND Golden Butterfly. Adding an Asfur 2/4/14
Bob,
<Rick>
A 6" Asfur currently available at LFS (attached pic shown with a Zebrasoma Xanthurum hiding in the back - he's been there for almost 2 months).
<A very nice specimen>
At this size, the sparks might fly immediately with my resident 5" Mr. Z. - welcome your thoughts.
<I would go ahead and try this mix/match... WITH having a large plastic colander on hand to catch out, float the Zebrasoma in case there is trouble>
In regard to quarantine (my QT tank is 30 gallons), I'm tempted to just do a freshwater dip on the Pomacanthus asfur and get him in the display (knowing he's been 2 months at LFS and a fine looking specimen).
<Yes; this is what I'd do as well>
Simultaneously I'd get the pair of Chaetodon semilarvatus into QT. Or could I QT all 3 together?
<Just the BFs. Thirty gal.s is too small for all; or even just this Angel>
For interest ... my (intended RS biotype) currently includes the Regal Angel and Purple Tang as discussed, but also a Midas Blenny, 3 Female Lyretail Anthias, (with the largest starting to transition to male), a Blonde Naso Tang, 6 blue green Chromis and an Orchid Dottyback. My 100% biotype plan went out the window with the addition of the Majestic Angel.
<The Pomacanthus imperator I take it>
Additional non Red Sea specimens now include a Coral Beauty, a Flame Angel, Copperbanded B/F, a Twinspot Hogfish, 3 Royal Grammas, a diamond goby and the most recent Palette Surgeonfish that thankfully has been totally ignored by the Purple Tang for the last 24 hours.
Took me years to convince my wife to have 8' x 2.5' x 2.5' tank "built" into a wall as we were designing our new house ... I dare not mention a "larger display tank".
<Heeeee! B>
Cheers,
Rick

MACULOSUS ANGEL Dear Bob, I have just read a question / topic on your daily column from 1/26/2000. It was about the MACULOSUS ANGEL, that you recommended someone get. Could you please tell us a little about it. It seems very similar to the asfur angel. Thanks, Matt >> They are indeed very similar... if you will sympatric species... about same distribution, size, temperament, and genetics... someone is actually producing young of this species in captivity! And they are gorgeous... My better rendition of what this species is to the ornamental marine interest can be found in an article stored at www.wetwebmedia.com... and I hope to have my better images of both species there soon... and wish you and I were diving in the Red Sea taking their pix right now! Bob Fenner, who is going out to Maui two days hence... and needs to!

Pomacanthus imperator and Pomacanthus maculosus Hello bob, My dealer had some show size angel and I fell in love with the 16 to 18 inches imperator and maculosus angel immediately I saw them. do you think at this size (16-18inches) are they easy to keep? <Decidedly not as easy to keep as ones collected at "reasonable" (a few inches) in length and raised in captivity... Fishes (actually all animals) collected "large" are less adaptable to captive conditions... like food acceptance, getting along with other "novel" species... And shame on the collectors and retailers for extracting adults... leave these in the seas to reproduce.> at the moment they look great. if you were me which one will you purchase? the maculosus or the imperator angel. and why? <Mmm, neither... as I am morally opposed to their collection in the first place. Bob Fenner>

Asfur angel in a reef Hi, Bob, First, thanks for the great web site. I just love browsing there; learn quite a few things every time. Noticed one mention of an Asfur in a reef tank but no details. <Let's cover them here> Briefly, I've always loved angels and have had my eye on the Asfur since the late 80s when I remember seeing them go for $800. They are much more reasonable these days and I'm tempted to add one to my reef tank as the center piece. I'm pretty tolerant of coral nipping and have already made adjustments for my flame and fisher's pygmy angels. I'm wondering what you think my chances are with this angel. From what I've read for a large angel, these aren't too bad in reef tanks but it isn't clear just what the risks are. <You may not know, but this gorgeous species is now "bred, raised in captivity"... accounting for its consistent availability, size and much-reduced cost. It is notably "easy going" and a good risk for many types of reef systems of size. To place specifics here, at least two hundred gallons for a small specimen, three hundred plus for a larger (six inch plus) one> The tank is 6 feet long and 36" front to back with lots of medium to small caves and crevices and a wide channel in front of the main LR for swimming. One corner of the tank has a large, hidden swimming area but there is no back-channel. Invert stock, in addition to typical cleanup crew, are: SPS tolerant of picking from the angels (Montipora, a hardy Acropora, Stylophora), various leathers, some LPS, lots of Zoanthids, 4 bubble tip anemones (thanks to several splits). Fish stock is fairly mild tempered: 9 green Chromis, 4 "lemon" damsels (no id), the flame angel and the fisher's angel, a P. sankeyi, 2 maroon clowns. The larger maroon is a tad territorial but mostly with the lemon damsels. <No worries> The flame occasionally chases the fisher's, but not very aggressively. <Again, no real problem. If the Asfur starts here at near three inches or so, it will become the dominant specimen almost immediately, and actually reduce the potential aggressive dynamic in your system> The sankeyi never picks at anything and seems quite tame for a Pseudochromis. I'd like to add a purple tang although I would take the asfur over the purple. (Thoughts on how those two would get along given their coloring?) <They should be fine together here> Also looking at some fairy wrasses at some point. <A very good choice> I'm willing to tweak coral selection for a fish but if there is a chance of the angel laying waste to my tank in a few days, that's another matter. <Not much chance> While I've got your attention, I've tried a number of tangs and have returned them for various reasons. (A sohal was doing fine but I accidentally trapped him while catching another fish and decided to return him given the horror stories I heard about them as they got larger. An earlier purple tang was returned after eating my xenia but I understand that is unusual and it occurred after a 10 day period where I neglected to feed him his romaine so I'll take the blame for that.) Any thoughts on a tang if I was going to add just one? I've always liked the purples myself... <The xanthurum for sure would be/is my first choice as well. Be chatting. Bob Fenner> Thanks, Marc
Re: Asfur angel in a reef Hi, Bob, Just an update based on our discussion last week; no need to reply. You got me fired up about using an Asfur as a centerpiece in my reef tank. So with Christmas coming up, I decided to see what I could find in preparation for a gift request on my part. I was expecting to have to mail order. I got lucky and found almost exactly what I was looking for at one of my LFS. I didn't find an adult tank raised Asfur but I did find a juvenile with a hint of adult coloration. He was "larval reared" (I guess caught at young stage and raised from there). <Yes> My LFS had him in the store about a year ago and he was returned for eating Xenia. They've since had him for 2 months and he looks to be in excellent condition. So, given the history and the fact that he looked great and had been held for some time, I purchased him yesterday. (The price was good, too.) <A fortunate find> As you may recall, I was also interested in a purple tang. My LFS had only one their main tanks: it had been returned to them with lateral line disease. But he had one in his show tank and was willing to sell it. Since it was very healthy looking and had been there 9 months, I went for it. (Not so good a price: towards the high end for purples but I'll pay a premium for fish that look good and have been doing well in a tank.) <Yes> So, here's keeping my fingers crossed. The tang settled in immediately (I have no other tangs and don't plan any more). The Asfur angel was more shy but not as shy as my pygmies have been on introduction. The tang and the angel went at it a bit at first but no damage seems to have been done. <No, natural> Normally, I much prefer the adult colors of an angel to the juvenile colors and I certainly hope the Asfur gets its adult colors. But his juvenile colors are attractive enough that I wouldn't be crushed if they never come in. <They will> He does look like he might be on the edge of changing and I'll try to encourage that with Caulerpa from my seahorse tank and sponge foods for him in addition to the more standard foods. My seahorse tank is about 45G and while productive in algae I'll need to supplement greens with Nori and romaine. <Very nice> Anyway, thanks for the help and the encouragement. Marc <And thank you for the follow-up. Bob Fenner>
Re: Asfur angel in a reef Hi, Bob, Yeah, ROI is a terrible thing ;-) The Asfurs must be a wonderful return. There's been lots of Pseudochromis raising in the past decade which is also attractive (although not quite as). <Yes... a lot of work by Martin Moe, Jeff Turner, Dave Palmer... other friends, associates> I was asking around a bit for tank raised angels and have come across some tank raised maculosus but no Asfurs yet. Know anyone raising Asfurs? <Not directly> Are they usually juvenile in coloration when tank raised? <Yes... two and a half, three inches generally... look like miniature adults. Gorgeous> I'm really looking for the adult coloration, partly because I can't tell the juveniles apart and I really want an Asfur. <Mmm, look at the tail. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pomacant.htm and the Mac FAQs: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/MacFAQs.htm Bob Fenner> Thanks, Marc
Re: Asfur angel in a reef Hi, Bob, Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't realize the Asfurs were tank raised these days. I definitely prefer tank raised and it is great for the hobby to be reducing sea-harvest. <Yes... amazing... I did my masters work on hormonal manipulation of mullets (Mugil cephalus)... later to find I might "get" a whole nine cents US a pound (gutted). Oh boy! I wonder what sort of ROI, ROE there is in Pomacanthus Arusetta asfur! I'd bet a few orders of magnitude more a pound!> The info below is quite helpful! I'm definitely going to indulge my weakness for angels and try this out. Thanks again, Marc <You will not be disappointed. Bob Fenner>

*Maculosus/Asfur Hey Bob. In your article on the Maculosus you mention that it is closely related to the Asfur and are comparable as far as hardiness but that you prefer the Maculosus due to it's outgoingness. <Yes> Could you please expand on what you meant there? You gave me great advice on a Maculosus about a month ago and I was about to make the purchase yesterday when I saw 2 gorgeous Asfur.....now I'm confused again! They have so much more color yet I keep going back to the rave reviews of the Maculosus. Is the Asfur really AS hardy as the Maculosus? <Yes... and especially the last few years offerings... they are "cultured".> Thanks for your time once again Bob. Rick. <If you have the space, inclination, do try one of these magnificent fishes. You won't be disappointed. Bob Fenner>

Asfur Angels I was wanting to know your opinions on Asfur angels, other than being incredibly expensive and beautiful. Good/bad, easy to take care of/ challenging, just over all specs. <Pretty much the same as the other member of the subgenus Arusetta. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/Pomacanthus/maculosus.htm and the linked FAQs beyond> Oh, and also, what has Bob been up to. <Same ole pet-fish madness... writing, diving, living...> I used to e-mail almost daily for questions about 2 and a half years ago. I don't know if he would even remember me, but I owe what knowledge I have impart to him, and now you guys. You guys are learned people. I should start my emails with Doctor from now on :-) Just wanted to say thanks for the years of knowledge. Keep it up. Tell the coot hi if ya see him. John Moyer
<Hello to you my friend. Bob Fenner>

Angelfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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