Emperor Angel

[NC2WA]

Lee,

I noticed these white blotches on my emperor this afternoon. Has been in QT one week tomorrow. I plan on doing a WC this afternoon.

Current Water parameters: ammonia-0, nitrite-0, pH 7.9, SG-1.021, temp 76.7degrees.


Is this something to be concerned?

It does not appear to be Ich or any other white substance. The angels eyes and fins are clear and it has a voracious appetite. Eats everything (mysis soaked with selcon and vitamins, angel formula from ocean nutrition (has sponges), and formula II (ocean nutrition) I place in the tank; it is alert and notices you when you approach the tank.

I rather be overly cautious at this point, since my butterflies died, I want to make sure this is nothing to be concerned with.

Thanks
Kirk

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7329275@N05/2647779532/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7329275@N05/2647777996/

 

[leebca]

These kinds of blotches are often associated with a break down of the mucous coating defense. Opportunistic bacteria and fungal (both the 'fake' and the 'real') move in to take advantage. It can rapidly spread, even on a 'healthy' fish.

The onset is the result of some stressor or group of stressors ranging anything from diet, water quality, and environment.

An antibiotic treatment in a hospital tank, along with a topical treatment for the fish's coating would be my recommendation. Pro Tech Coat Marine or StressGuard may be used as a temporary mucus layer, or to help the fish repair its mucous layer.

In the main system itself, check: that your skimmer is sized properly; dirt/detritus isn't secretly building up someplace; and that maintenance has been keeping up with the water quality. Verify your source water is as good as you think it is. Using test kits, also check the marine system for ammonia and nitrites both one and two hours after a feeding for a couple of days to determine if there is any reading at all -- even a small reading for a short time.

Are you using a carbon or other chemical filtration? Check on it.

These fish are very sensitive to water quality -- even things we don't have test kits for.

 

[NC2WA]

Lee,

Thanks.

What type of antibotic do you recommend??
Do you see anything wrong with the food I am providing?


This fish is still in the QT. The only equipment in the tank is a sponge filter which was seeded in my main display sump for 4 months, heater, and powerheads. Ammonia and nitrites are 0.

For the Pro Tech Coat Marine or StressGuard do I dose as directed or do I double the dose like I would for Maracyn II ???

I am not using carbon or chemical filtration in my main display tank. Just a H&S skimmer that is rated for 700 gallons. I might need to borrow a TDS meter from someone to verify the water quality coming from the RO unit. Ammonia and nitrite in the main display tank are also 0.

thanks
kirk

 

[morgan]

kinda looks like what happened to tangs when they dont get enough food maybe try feeding twice aday

 

[morgan]

also i dont know if u got the pm i sent u but i work in a fish shop now and we get scribbled angels just no US dealers are buying them

 

[leebca]

I would try using Maracyn II. Double dose. IF the condition doesn't improve in 3 or 4 days out of the 5 day treatment, use a Gram Positive antibiotic.

For the help on its mucous coating, following product directions.

The prepared products you feed are okay. Use of the fat and vitamin supplements is very good. Mysis okay if they are from saltwater.

Just fed my Emperor a single krill, about .5" long. It broke it down, sort of chewed it, then swallowed it. They need a lot of protein. Suggest getting some krill and marine plankton products. Try whole clam -- a living one you froze, thawed, opened and thoroughly rinsed. Choose a wider variety of whole foods when possible. They are herbivores and will expect some macro algae, which I didn't see you specifically list. I may have missed it though.

These fish easily get bored with captive life. An opened clam, some scallop meat, and a varied diet keeps their interest up.

 

[NC2WA]

thanks all.

Lee, are these blotches contagious to other fish?? In other words, is this condition a bacterial infection or just lack of variety of diet and stress??

It sounds like a combination of diet and stress. It is currently in a 20gallon tank which may be too small for its size. It is around 5 inches long.

Formula II is for herbivore.

http://www.oceannutrition.com/product_marine.php?file=ba11.html&head=04

 

[morgan]

squid and octopus is good for angels

 

[NC2WA]

morgan,

thanks..yes, I did get the PM you sent about the Scribbled angels. For now, I am good. I want to get these 3 amigos angels thru a QT cycle and in my tank first.

 

[leebca]

More stressors and less contagious to other fishes.

In my quarantine post I recommend (and still do) that for every inch of fish that at least 5-7 gallons of water be provided in the quarantine tank. As the fish gets larger, like an adult marked Large Angel, it needs more room (and creates more wastes). I use the higher of that range for larger fishes. The Angel would be best in at least a 40 gallon QT, which will hold at least 35 gallons of water. As the display tank increases in size to accommodate larger fishes, so does the QT.

Forgive my mistake. The fish isn't a herbivore, it's an omnivore. Dawned on me as I lay going to sleep that I typed the wrong word.

 

[NC2WA]

Lee,

Is this a suitable alternative medication to Maracyn II? Will Furacyn work?

I have an order for Maracyn II but it will not get here until 7/11 at the earliest. I don't want to wait that long to start the treatment.

any suggestions??

thanks to all the info you have provided so far.
Kirk

 

[leebca]

The alternative would be a regular dose, following product instructions on any product that contains Nitrofurazone, like Furan-2 or Spectrogram.