SandyC

I have been trying to raise Angels for a couple months now and things are not working out. I set up a new aquarium and I am sure I did not have it cycled correctly (after lots of reading afterwards) before I added the Angels. Ok, since then I have learned a lot. I got an Angel and put him in a 5 gallon quarantine tank with 3 guppies before I was going to put him in a 29 gallon. He died also. The Ammonia and Nitrites were ok. I checked them. Any suggestions? I would like to have Angles. He was fine over nite. But, the next day he seemed sluggish and his fin on the back of him seemed sort of clamped. I could not see anything wrong with him at all. I added some fungus med. He was dead when I got home. The guppiies seem ok. I did notice the temp in this little aquarium was not "real" stable. 77 at nite and 80 during the day. Would this have been a problem? Also the heater in it makes it too warm, it isn't adjustable. Any help would be appreciated.

armadillo

Sounds like you're doing many many many things right (quarantaine, temperature, cycled tanks, etc.).

One thing I can think of is maybe acclimation? Some types of fish are particularly sensitive to how they are acclimated (e.g. otos). Some fish must be acclimated not only to the temperature of the new tank, but also to the composition of the water (e.g. nitrates, pH, etc.). Could be that angels are the same?

I know my 2 angels died really quickly after introduction to my system (one after 1 week, and 1 after 2 weeks. I kind of gave up after that but am sure for me, it was the cycle (also didn't know).

Here's some info on acclimation: http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/acc...a/aa111102.htm.

SandyC

Thanks. You know the guy at the pet shop suggested the acclimation process. I did do that. I am just at a loss as to what is causing me to have so much trouble getting one to live.

armadillo

crrrr.... crrrr.... crrrr... head-scratching. Really flying off on one but... here's some more random thoughts

Do you always get them from the same shop?
Have you tested your water for metals/chlorine? (am sure you condition, and would be surprising if other fish survived same toxins but hey)
What is the ideal temp for an angel? Could you by slightly too cold/hot for them by trying to keep the other fish happy?
Do they always get something to eat or do that other fish get there first?

SandyC

Yes I condition the water. I have checked for Ammonia and nitrites. I have never tested for any other minerals, metals etc... I think the first Angels died from stupidity. Mine not theirs LOL! I really went out of my way to acclimate the fish this time and mistified. He was eating good. The fancy guppies he was in with hardly even looked at him. Someone mentioned that maybe he was too stressed cause the 5 gallon aquarium was "too" small. I hate to keep spending money on these and not have them live, not to mention I keep killing them. I have a 29 gallon upright that would have been his home. I just hate to add a new fish right into it and then bring a disease etc.. along with them.

SandyC

Sorry, I forgot to mention I got them from 3 seprate pet shops.

armadillo

Mmmmmh. I can imagine your frustration.

Clamped fins is a symptom of lots of diseases like ich, velvet, columnaris, etc. Fish can be sensitised to disease if they are subject to high fluctuations in temperature, or if temperature is consistently out of the fish' comfort range.

I would say the culprit could well be the unreliable heater, and secondary infections brought about by temperature problems.

I was advised to always buy the best heater there is. There are things I can skim on, but apparently a heater needs to be top notch.

Am having heater problems myself at the mo, so I can sympathise.

SandyC

Well thanks for your help. The little heater came with the aquarium and is not adjustable. I should have known that would be an issue. I will have to buy one that is. Our house is air conditioned so the heater is needed even during warm weather. I have my other aquariums at 78 and 79. The fish seem to be doing ok at that. Oh, well , maybe after I get an adjustable heater I will try again.

armadillo

No probs. I hope am right and you don't buy a new heater for nothing. Mind, it's never for nothing. The other fish will enjoy the stable temp too.

capekate

Sorry to hear you lost your angel fish. I have two and would feel awful at loosing them. I also have a 29g tank that is home to my two angels. I can say that the temp was not too high, as my tank temp is always at 80*. Sometiimes rarely for some reason the temp may dip to 78* and I dont think that could have been the cause of your lost angels. Dont give up on theml.. when your 29g is cycled, try them again. THEY are well worth the effort.

SandyC

Ok, I went back to the pet shop and they gave me a new Angel. They said they were having a problem with fish dying in the tank later last week , so , they think it was a problem with "their" water. So, they moved all of them. This new one I have had since Saturday. He is very fiesty! Eats like a pig and is very friendly! I also bought a new heater, one that regulates the temp better. So, I think he might make it. I put him in the 5 gallon with the guppies again, so, in a week or two, I will move him to the 29 gallon after I move the Blood Parrot. Keep your fingers crossed!

armadillo

That's very honest of your fish store. Mine would NEVER tell me the truth on something like that.

Great that he's sociable. I hope he survives the dreaded first few weeks.

capekate

thats great news! good luck with your angel!