Maxx
Staff Housemonkey
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2003
- Messages
- 2,935
Hello Lee,
I recently purchased a tiny (1.25 inch nose to tail) Blue lined Angelfish, (Chaetodeontoplus septentrionalis) from Live Aquaria's Diver's Den. I've long admired this fish and when I saw this one on the Diver's Den for a two week period I decided to give it a go.
I spoke to the caretakers over in the facility where the fish was being kept before ordering it to have some more information about the fish. According to them, the fish had been in their care since early June, had been frehwater bathed twice, (I'm guessing flukes), and had been in a copper treated system for 3 weeks. I was assured it was eating mysis and spirolina enriched brine shrimp with gusto.
The fish arrived in good condition, (no sunken areas behind the head or above the lateral line indicating malnutrition or starvation), and was very curious and acting like I expect a healthy angelfish to behave.
I drip acclimated the fish for about 90 minutes and then placed it into a 20H QT tank. The tank contains two pieces of liverock from my sump, (sponge growing on it), some PVC fittings, and about 5 bioballs from my sump as well. Circulation is achieved via HOB Aqua-Clear filter with no media or sponge etc to collect detritus, its just there for water movement.
The fish picked at the liverock somewhat, but did not eat the two highly visible pieces of white lace sponge growing on the surface of it.
After 24 hours, I attempted to feed it frozen Hikari Mysid shrimp, and spirolina enriched brine shrimp (frozen as well). the fish showed excitement by immediately pacing the tank in an attempt to locate the source of food, but did not touch anything.
I tried Rod's Food, the Hikari Mysid, Enriched Brine Shrimp, Arcti-Pods, Fresh thawed scallop, Spectrum New Life Balance Flake and mini pellets, and Formula 1 & 2 small pellets. All were soundly ignored.
After 48 hours of the fish not eating anything, but still seeing excitement from the fish when I introduced food, I went ahead and moved a firefish I've had for about a year into the QT with the Angel. The idea was to use the Firefish as a dither fish to "teach" the angel what the other sources of food were.
I then also placed Nori on a clip in the tank in the hopes the fish would graze on that.
No luck on any of the prepared foods, but the Nori was nibbled on constantly by the little angel.
I've had the fish for 5 days now, and its still only grazing on Nori. Its eating enough to make its little belly plump, but I wonder about the long term health of the fish due to its small size, and eating solely Nori. Its eating something already, so that makes me confidant I can switch it to other sources of food.
I remember the invaluable assistance you gave me with my Regal Angel severl years ago. As of November 23rd, I'll have had her for 4 years. She now eats just about everything I put in the tank.
I'm guessing based on the responses I'm getting with frozen food that fish was being fed live mysis and live gut loaded brine. Can you think of another meaty food source I try with this tiny angel?
I just added fresh Nori and stuck two small strips of freshly thawed Scallop next to it thinking that the constant exposure to scallop, right next to a "known" food source might provoke some curious nibbling, but nothing so far...
My experiance with Regal Angels has led me to believe that it takes about a year for the fish to become fully acclimated and comfortable enough to become an aggressive eater. From what I've read, these angels tend to be aggressive eaters early on...It definately likes the Nori, but doesnt seem to hardcore about other food items as of yet.
Since the fish is so small, (and I really think 1.25 inches is being generous size wise, this is a tiny fish...it looks like a dime with fins), do I really need to be as concerned about it only eating Nori for a short while, or is it a non issue since its eating something and behaving normally?
Thanks Lee,
Nick
I recently purchased a tiny (1.25 inch nose to tail) Blue lined Angelfish, (Chaetodeontoplus septentrionalis) from Live Aquaria's Diver's Den. I've long admired this fish and when I saw this one on the Diver's Den for a two week period I decided to give it a go.
I spoke to the caretakers over in the facility where the fish was being kept before ordering it to have some more information about the fish. According to them, the fish had been in their care since early June, had been frehwater bathed twice, (I'm guessing flukes), and had been in a copper treated system for 3 weeks. I was assured it was eating mysis and spirolina enriched brine shrimp with gusto.
The fish arrived in good condition, (no sunken areas behind the head or above the lateral line indicating malnutrition or starvation), and was very curious and acting like I expect a healthy angelfish to behave.
I drip acclimated the fish for about 90 minutes and then placed it into a 20H QT tank. The tank contains two pieces of liverock from my sump, (sponge growing on it), some PVC fittings, and about 5 bioballs from my sump as well. Circulation is achieved via HOB Aqua-Clear filter with no media or sponge etc to collect detritus, its just there for water movement.
The fish picked at the liverock somewhat, but did not eat the two highly visible pieces of white lace sponge growing on the surface of it.
After 24 hours, I attempted to feed it frozen Hikari Mysid shrimp, and spirolina enriched brine shrimp (frozen as well). the fish showed excitement by immediately pacing the tank in an attempt to locate the source of food, but did not touch anything.
I tried Rod's Food, the Hikari Mysid, Enriched Brine Shrimp, Arcti-Pods, Fresh thawed scallop, Spectrum New Life Balance Flake and mini pellets, and Formula 1 & 2 small pellets. All were soundly ignored.
After 48 hours of the fish not eating anything, but still seeing excitement from the fish when I introduced food, I went ahead and moved a firefish I've had for about a year into the QT with the Angel. The idea was to use the Firefish as a dither fish to "teach" the angel what the other sources of food were.
I then also placed Nori on a clip in the tank in the hopes the fish would graze on that.
No luck on any of the prepared foods, but the Nori was nibbled on constantly by the little angel.
I've had the fish for 5 days now, and its still only grazing on Nori. Its eating enough to make its little belly plump, but I wonder about the long term health of the fish due to its small size, and eating solely Nori. Its eating something already, so that makes me confidant I can switch it to other sources of food.
I remember the invaluable assistance you gave me with my Regal Angel severl years ago. As of November 23rd, I'll have had her for 4 years. She now eats just about everything I put in the tank.
I'm guessing based on the responses I'm getting with frozen food that fish was being fed live mysis and live gut loaded brine. Can you think of another meaty food source I try with this tiny angel?
I just added fresh Nori and stuck two small strips of freshly thawed Scallop next to it thinking that the constant exposure to scallop, right next to a "known" food source might provoke some curious nibbling, but nothing so far...
My experiance with Regal Angels has led me to believe that it takes about a year for the fish to become fully acclimated and comfortable enough to become an aggressive eater. From what I've read, these angels tend to be aggressive eaters early on...It definately likes the Nori, but doesnt seem to hardcore about other food items as of yet.
Since the fish is so small, (and I really think 1.25 inches is being generous size wise, this is a tiny fish...it looks like a dime with fins), do I really need to be as concerned about it only eating Nori for a short while, or is it a non issue since its eating something and behaving normally?
Thanks Lee,
Nick
