Emperors of R2R (pomacanthus imperator)

[littlefoxx]

Thanks! He clicks and grunts quite a bit. Really stoked he was rehomed to me.

That’s so cool! My trigger Grunt does that too but he is still smaller so it’s not as loud. Also have a nanny clown trigger that I hope the two grunt to each other when they are big! Super cool fish make that noise I think

 

[Wen]

General Chow traveled north in a 50 gallon barrel. He has been living the dream in a temporary 300 gal Rubbermaid trough while we moved his tank and then set it back up in a new home.

A few weeks ago, he moved from the trough back in to the 270 gallon in a new fish room!

All in he has done well being netted twice and dropped on the floor! Horror!

Tank mates decreased to a Bellus, a hippo, pair of coris wrasses, pair of clowns and a royal gramma. You know who’s in charge of the tank. Actually just heard him barking orders a room away.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I want to see more emperors!

 

[Projects with Sam]

 

[iReefer12]

Here’s mine.. slowly transitioning, got him as a tiny 0.5” Emp and now he’s the boss of the tank.

 

[iReefer12]

Mine is almost fully transitioned now

 

[jassojasso]

Emperor angelfish is my favorite salt water fish. I just think the coloration is absolutely sublime. Ever since I saw one in LFS it has been my "dream fish". I have watched lots of videos and read lot of forum posts and comments. I upgraded to 185g tank few months ago (6ft x 2,5 ft x 2 ft, waterbox 275.6). It is a reef tank with SPS focus but there are some zoas, LPS's (mostly euphyllia) and softies (toadstools). I have two small, tank bred angels in, regal and majestic. They are doing very good and growing. Majestic just started to change to adult coloration. In addition I have few tans (yellow, blue, sailfin), foxface and smaller fish (in total of 16 fish atm).
I am doing constant "yes-no-yes" battle in my head with adding a small, tank bred emperor angel to the mix.
My main concerns is aggression and space.
I have understood that emperor might be especially problematic with majestic as they are both of Pomacanhtus species. I have read that when they are all juveniles and get to "know" each other this problem might not be as bad.
Regarding space, I have seen people keep emperors for years in 6 ft tanks but I am just not sure if it is humane or feasible long term. I have also read wildly different estimates of adult size emperors in captivity ranging from 7 to 15". I would see 7-10" fish doing fine in this tank but 15" fish would not seem right.
As for reef safety, I know it is a toss up and some casualties are to be expected. Most of my lps and zoas are not on the nice end of things but more of beginner stuff from my first reef tank.

So I would like to hear opinions of reefers who actually have emperor. Yay or nay?

 

[Devaji]

just joined the EMP. family. placed an order for an African juvi 2.5" QTed!
it will go in to my 200/275 FOWLR for a year or two while I finish out my basement and build a 500-1000 gal system.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Emperor angelfish is my favorite salt water fish. I just think the coloration is absolutely sublime. Ever since I saw one in LFS it has been my "dream fish". I have watched lots of videos and read lot of forum posts and comments. I upgraded to 185g tank few months ago (6ft x 2,5 ft x 2 ft, waterbox 275.6). It is a reef tank with SPS focus but there are some zoas, LPS's (mostly euphyllia) and softies (toadstools). I have two small, tank bred angels in, regal and majestic. They are doing very good and growing. Majestic just started to change to adult coloration. In addition I have few tans (yellow, blue, sailfin), foxface and smaller fish (in total of 16 fish atm).
I am doing constant "yes-no-yes" battle in my head with adding a small, tank bred emperor angel to the mix.
My main concerns is aggression and space.
I have understood that emperor might be especially problematic with majestic as they are both of Pomacanhtus species. I have read that when they are all juveniles and get to "know" each other this problem might not be as bad.
Regarding space, I have seen people keep emperors for years in 6 ft tanks but I am just not sure if it is humane or feasible long term. I have also read wildly different estimates of adult size emperors in captivity ranging from 7 to 15". I would see 7-10" fish doing fine in this tank but 15" fish would not seem right.
As for reef safety, I know it is a toss up and some casualties are to be expected. Most of my lps and zoas are not on the nice end of things but more of beginner stuff from my first reef tank.

So I would like to hear opinions of reefers who actually have emperor. Yay or nay?

My emperor, when added to my tank, quickly became dominant and is uncompromising with other fish. I have a yellow and bi-color angels and they try to avoid him.

 

[DCR]

They will not grow to 15" in captivity. I have never seen one more than 10-12". Mine reached about 8" in a 7 ft 200-gal fish-only tank before losing him in a power outage. In your tank I expect it might get to 10". They are very strong and dominating and could definitely cause problems for your majestic and regal which are not very aggressive. Your chances are better if you introduce the Emperor as a juvenile as a much smaller fish than the other two. Your zoa's will almost certainly be eaten and I have heard of them munching on SPS. If I had an established Regal I would not be inclined an Emperor into the same tank.

 

[Wen]

Due to Hurricane Milton’s potential 15’ surge, we need to evacuate and it’s strange/sad to be saying goodbye to General Chow and 500 gallons of loveliness.

Counting on the house generator, battery bubblers, a freshly cleaned tank, extra water, elevated chiller and my quick return to keep the tank alive. That’s if the tanks are standing after the storm.

Wish me luck! and luck to the other reef tanks in the Tampa Bay area.

 

[Devaji]

Due to Hurricane Milton’s potential 15’ surge, we need to evacuate and it’s strange/sad to be saying goodbye to General Chow and 500 gallons of loveliness.

Counting on the house generator, battery bubblers, a freshly cleaned tank, extra water, elevated chiller and my quick return to keep the tank alive. That’s if the tanks are standing after the storm.

Wish me luck! and luck to the other reef tanks in the Tampa Bay area.

may the General stand strong and come out happy and swimming when you get back.
sending positive vibes for him all the tank inhabitants and the house..