Juvenile Emperor

[Fishfreak]

Saw a few juvenile emperor angel in the LFS today. Really small ones - about 2 cm. Was quoted $30.

Would appreciate your comments/feedback to these questions:

1) Is it advisable to buy such small ones (personally, I prefer to buy small and watch them grow)?

2) Since they are small, I want to put it in my 80 litre reef with shrooms, softies, LPS and two even smaller common clowns - is this OK? This tank has been running 1.5 years. I have a 320 litre FOWLR to house it when its time for it to move

3) I know these are not hardy species, may be difficult to keep. How difficult?

4) Finally, $30.00 for 2 cm. Is the price OK?

Thanks.

[Wei]

Hi Fishfreak,

Such a small angel, with such small mouth. The basic is are you able to provide it with the correct food that it will eat & small enough for its mouth? What I can think is maybe small pellets, baby brine, cyclops or some other zooplankton.

Next is fishes this small are quite weak & more prone to sickness. U can put it in yr reef if u are sure it will not be stressed/bullied and abundant of food available to it. I guess its best to house it in a refugium with loads of natural live food ard for it to feed, after it grow to 2"-3", release it into main tank. Survival rate will be alot higher.

Wei

[Fishfreak]

Good points, Wei. Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing the mouth

So, assuming I am able and willing to provide for it, can you tell me if $30 for 2cm is reasonable? You see, the most expensive fish/coral I've ever bought is $18!!!

[BarraCudaTM]

I always wanted to get 1 for my 4ft but I'm concerned about their eating habits, they are known to nip corals and clams

[Wei]

Hi Fishfreak,

if its a emperor, then $30 is ok. But for a 2cm fish, u are taking a big risk.

Even if u can provide it with the right food, it might not eat. But still, the choice is yrs.

Best of luck.

Wei

[triggerpuff]

Hi Fish freak,

just to let you know, I remember seeing a 2.5 to 3 cm juvenile emperor at the LFS along paya lebar road (dun want to use name). The boss quoted me $20/- (about a week ago)

Not sure if it is still there but that would at least give you a good market price indication.

hope that helps!

[Fishfreak]

OK. After considering all your feedback, I've decided to skip the emperor because I may not be able to provide for it and the feeding difficulty worries me.

Maybe if there's no war/recession, I will upgrade the FOWLR to my second reef tank later this year and the emperor will have no home.

$20 vs $30 - sure pays to shop around or ask around huh?

Thanks again, for taking the time to reply.

FF