Stocking An Angel, Koran    8/15/07
A stocking question for you...
I have a 200 gallon system that is 68x26x26" with about 200lbs of Tonga Liverock and a 3" fine sand bottom. The live rock is structured as a long island in the center with swimming lanes completely around the tank with many pass-throughs and caves. I also have a 'tacky' bell... a resin ornament that is about 7" high with holes in it for shelter.
I keep my temp around 25/26oc, salinity at 1.023,
<I'd raise this...>
and my water parameters are all in-check with the exception of Nitrates at around 15ppm. For a fish only system I have read that this is acceptable but I am still working on lowering this hopefully right to zero.
I currently have:
1 x 20" Snowflake Moray
2 x Bannerfish
1 x Harlequin Tuskfish
1 Banded Serpent Star
I definitely do not want to overstock this system as I realize it would challenge me further with my nitrate issues, etc...
My wish list includes:
1 Foxface
1 Regal Tang
1 Picasso Trigger
1 Angelfish (Koran?? Pygmy Flame??)
And if room would allow, a Longnose Hawkfish.
So my question to you... let's say I proceed and stock with a Foxface and then a Regal Tang... I'd definitely add the Trigger last. What to do for an Angel??? I would prefer a decent size angel but would be happy going with a smaller species if I was getting too crowded. Given my top 3 on the wish list, would you recommend perhaps a Koran Angel??
<Is one of my fave Pomacanthids... would likely fit here>
Or, am I pushing the capacity and perhaps should lean towards the Flame Angel?? Would I be overcrowding if I introduce the Hawkfish prior to the Regal Tang given my other stocking wishes?
<Your stocking order is ideal... obviously you have been reading, thinking...>
I realize I should remove the banded star prior to introducing the Trigger...
David Brynlund
<This will "top off" this system, but should be a very nice mix indeed. BobF>

Koran angelfish
I'm really interested in purchasing a Koran angelfish, Pomacanthus semicirculatus. I've been doing my reading on the angelfish and realize that they get really large and require a large tank with good water conditions. They are grazers in the wild and eat corals and sponges too. I'm willing to provide it with seaweed for it to graze on, and have some live Caulerpa for it to feed on. I will also provide sponge in it's diet. 
When doing my reading I learned that they are probably one of the least difficult of all full sized angels. I would like a Imperator (Pomacanthus imperator), but I've read that they are very sensitive to water conditions. Now I must admit at times I don't do my regular water changes. I've never had nitrates above 25 ppm. I don't think i would have a problem taking care of a Koran angelfish.
Now my questions are: 
1. Are there any insights that you have on this fish as to care or special requirements?
2. I've read that it's rare to see this animal's adult coloration in it's adult stage, why? Should I be worried? Is there anything I could do to get it to change or aid it in changing? I actually like it's adult coloring. 
3. I've also heard that these fish are susceptible to HITH and HLLE, other then nutrition how to I prevent it? Does grounding work? How do I ground a tank then?
Thanks for your help. 
David. 
>>
The Koran is one of my favorite large marine angelfish species (too)...
1) The Koran has no real special care requirements... you have listed some of the general caveats... varied, veggie-containing diet, good water quality... 
2) I think the lack of adults, coloration and otherwise is a matter of economics and mistakes. The dollar part of the equation has to do with people importing juveniles (freight is much less), and the mistake part refers to aquarists bumping them off before they reach adult/color proportions.
3) The semicirculatus angel is susceptible to HLLE more than most fishes... the best approach is twin-pronged: optimized nutrition (even supplementing the foods with vitamin and iodine prep.s), and consistent/high water quality... I discount the "stray electrical potential" hypothesis.
Bob Fenner, who has a piece that never ran in the hobby mag.s on the species posted at www.wetwebmedia.com and will put up the images there if there is a call for same.

Koran angels
Greetings again Robert,
I'll cut to the chase, i can't keep Korans for toffee, I've bought three young adults in the last two years all healthy and feeding when purchased but all dying in less than six weeks .
<Time to look for a new source... or your system for something wrong. Pomacanthus semicirculatus is one of the toughest angel species>
I've noticed they do seem susceptible to a cylindrical eye and body parasite that is only killed by a fresh water bath but then so are most of the Angels i keep'
I currently own, Queen, Blue Queen, French ,Black, Blueface, Majestic, Six-Bar, Chrysurus, Asfur, Passer, Maculosus and Cortez Angels and apart from the two Cortez's and one of the Six-Bars I've owned them all for six months and more ,in fact some for nearly three years so why can't i keep Korans ?
<Look into buying them from Marine Center... someplace else than where you've been getting them>
could it be that it is one of the industry standards like Powder Blues that despite being common in the hobby really do not do that well or knowing that they are hardy am i subconsciously not keeping them as well as i should ,anyway i hope you could shed some light on my plight...Thanks Graham.H
<Read and heed: http://wetwebmedia.com/korana.htm
Bob Fenner>