Keeping angel fish (1 Viewer)

[Nam0821]

Why is it soooo dang hard for me to keep a dwarf or even traditional saltwater angel fish?!?!?! I have clown, tangs, and everything in between before and have success keeping but when it come to angel it...man, they would only last 2-3 week then stop eating....well yall know the rest. Tanks is a 120g, basic 40g sump, skimmer, brs dual react (carbon n gfo)

 

[JDenman]

I think angels are critical to quarantine as most wild caught ship with internal parasites and often flukes which lead to exactly what you describe of dying after 3 weeks. I freshwater dip all angels coming into QT and every single one has been loaded with flukes. I then treat the QT with prazipro and though most fish do not eat during the Prazi treatment(3 days) they eat voraciously once it is removed with carbon. A quality frozen blended seafood mix is a good way to get them eating strong. The fish then undergo a 30 day observation in QT then another round of Prazi and then introduced to the display. I currently have an annularis, and a trio of genicanthus with the oldest fish in my system for over 18 months.

You may want to use an acclimation box to introduce your angels so the angel can get accustomed to the new tank without initially being chased and the inhabitants can get take out the aggression on the acrylic box instead of the new fish.

 

[Reefahholic]

I agree. Prazipro x2 and garlic guard to get them eating well.

I think angels are critical to quarantine as most wild caught ship with internal parasites and often flukes which lead to exactly what you describe of dying after 3 weeks. I freshwater dip all angels coming into QT and every single one has been loaded with flukes. I then treat the QT with prazipro and though most fish do not eat during the Prazi treatment(3 days) they eat voraciously once it is removed with carbon. A quality frozen blended seafood mix is a good way to get them eating strong. The fish then undergo a 30 day observation in QT then another round of Prazi and then introduced to the display. I currently have an annularis, and a trio of genicanthus with the oldest fish in my system for over 18 months.

You may want to use an acclimation box to introduce your angels so the angel can get accustomed to the new tank without initially being chased and the inhabitants can get take out the aggression on the acrylic box instead of the new fish.

 

[Nam0821]

So...once you freshwater dip, the angel goes into a prazipro tank? And is it okay if the fish doesn't want to eat for 3-4 days? And after 3 days with prazipro, you add carbon into the filtration system then water change or no water change after 3 days? Sorry noob at doping fish

 

[BigRick]

I'm run 35 days straigh prazi for flukes. Literally watch then crawl out the gills, almost looks liek ich but is larger they move out and eventually off. FW Dips in MB would confirm this as mentioned above.

 

[BigRick]

But only make sure your fish are eating healthy before going that long in a prazi bath. They always eat for me.

 

[Reefahholic]

Yes, Prazipro x2 then remove with carbon or water change and observe. Garlic guard to get the fish eating.

 

[JDenman]

I feed during the prazi but notice most angels will only pick and not eat heartily. I use carbon to remove but I do WC the QT twice per week so the WC is the day after Prazi but only 20%. The angels should pick at food during prazi but I do not worry if they don't eat much.

 

[inigomontoya]

I usually do a freshwater dip before placing in for first part of tank transfer. Give them until 3rd and 4th transfer to use prazi so they are eating.

 

[BigRick]

If they stop eating when treating then discontinue and try to get them fat. It's internal parasites and worms already caused unchangeable damage to internal organs. The prazi is literally making the internal worms/parasites rupture inside the organs causing even more damage. If they won't eat it , death usually will follow, how long, could be days to months.