Angelfish Nerds... Help Needed, Please (copps, michael_cb_125, ccampbell57, etc)

[Vili_Shark]

If you ordered a larger fish I do not understand why did they send you a smaller fish without asking in advance.

You should not have a problem with this fish, he just needs to feed few times a day.

Try enriched frozen foods, once it addapts to dry foods, try high protein pellets.

 

[AngelsAnonymous]

I'd much rather have that size then an adult! I think the babies are great, perfect for acclimation. I've had several that size over the years (queen, french, koran, emperor even rock beauty and regal). I've found it better to put a couple pieces of live rock in the tank as well, especially with aiptasia if you have any, they usually love it. I actually got most of my angels eating pellets first, then I got them on frozen. I wouldn't hesitate to try anything, just feed frequently and make sure you get out any uneaten food, keep water quality up. I don't think you'll have any problems with this little majestic.

 

[reidcrandall]

I believe that all of my worry was for naught...

First feeding of the day: A bit of each Hikiri mysis, Cyclopeeze and Rods fish eggs. I saw him picking around, so he is definitely displaying a feeding response.

I couldn't tell which he was eating, because I stood back from the tank as not to frighten anyone.

The regal was eating like a champ from the water column already like it was no big deal... He knows not the torment I went through with my previous Indonesian regal.

The main thing that I was worried about was whether or not to try to get the little navarchus to eat right away, as it had already been 24 hours since he'd eaten because of shipping.

I wasn't sure of what type of reserves he had (although I know that DD would have his as prepared as he could be), and how long it would take before he would use them up.

I was prepared, because I used a medium sized piece of live rock during the cycling of the tank, and he could pick off of that... but still wasn't sure.

I'm new to this size of animal

Thank you all for your help. I will keep everyone updated on this thread!

 

[reidcrandall]

If you ordered a larger fish I do not understand why did they send you a smaller fish without asking in advance.

You should not have a problem with this fish, he just needs to feed few times a day.

Try enriched frozen foods, once it addapts to dry foods, try high protein pellets.

It's the same fish as far as I can tell. It's from Diver's Den, and I compared the markings to the picture they listed and it looks the same to me... but he's no 1 1/4". Maybe our scales are a bit different... I always measure the size of the body without the tail (not that he has a big tail). But this little guy is 3/4" lip to tail, if that.

I'm not upset about it. I just wanted to be sure that I gave the fish the best care I could now that I have him.

 

[reidcrandall]

I'd much rather have that size then an adult! I think the babies are great, perfect for acclimation. I've had several that size over the years (queen, french, koran, emperor even rock beauty and regal). I've found it better to put a couple pieces of live rock in the tank as well, especially with aiptasia if you have any, they usually love it. I actually got most of my angels eating pellets first, then I got them on frozen. I wouldn't hesitate to try anything, just feed frequently and make sure you get out any uneaten food, keep water quality up. I don't think you'll have any problems with this little majestic.

Rock beauty and regal that size? That must have been a sight to be seen.

I was surprised to get a navarchus this size... but knew it wasn't unheard of. Those two guys that small have to be even less common in the trade.

As far as pellets, my regal took some, but he's 4". I'm not sure that even the tiny Spectrum pellets would fit in my little guy's mouth yet.

(And, fortunately, I don't have any Aptasia to worry about )

 

[jhawkor]

You could contact Live Aquaria and ask what they were feeding it. Beautiful little fish BTW.

 

[reidcrandall]

I contacted them, but haven't heard back. Not a big deal at this point, since he's munching on a few things.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I contacted them, but haven't heard back. Not a big deal at this point, since he's munching on a few things.

That is great to hear.

A couple of years ago I got a full juvi blueface (( Pomacanthus xanthometopon )) from them and it did great. Had it for 2+ years until it got too big for my tank.

Oddly enough I was at an LFS last weekend and they have an annularis about that size. If only I had a bigger tank...

 

[LisaD]

When I get a fish I am concerned about from DD, I call or write to ask them EXACTLY what they were feeding that individual fish. They have always gotten back to me within a day or so.

They will get back to you soon. Lovely fish, I'm sure it will do well for you.

 

[reidcrandall]

Update

Update

Both the Regal and Majestic are eating.

The majestic is fond of spirulina brine, hikiri mysis and the rod's fish eggs.

Regal will eat spirulina brine, hikiri and pe mysis, and I just got some fresh clams, and cracked one open and put it in there, and that is the first thing I've seen him get really excited about. He's been eating fine, he's just been very leisurely about it until I put that in there.

Neither has taken to the Ocean Nutrition frozen angel formula yet, but I think I might attach it to the clam shell and see if that looks a little bit more tempting.

I've also dropped some frozen spirulina in there, and the regal sampled it some, but it's clearly not a favorite.

No dice on Reef Flakes, Formula 2, nori or spectrum pellet yet.
I also have some rust colored zoos that I got cheap and have been growing out onto a bunch of small rocks. Dropped one of the rocks in there, and no one has touched it.

 

[Creetin]

I have a scribbled that will only eat fresh clams. Its angel crack because all my angesl go nutty for it. I am with you, I was going to thaw som frozen foods up and re freeze them to the insides of the clam shells and drop those in to trick em.

 

[Sheol]

Angel Nerd? I LIKE IT! ROFLMAO.
What a little cutie! Actually, I'd love to start with one that size & just get bigger tank(s) started as it grows. Perfect excuse for new reeftank, no?

Matthew

 

[reidcrandall]

Angel Nerd? I LIKE IT! ROFLMAO.
What a little cutie! Actually, I'd love to start with one that size & just get bigger tank(s) started as it grows. Perfect excuse for new reeftank, no?

Matthew

Can't say that I disagree!

 

[Sheol]

I didn't much think any Angel nerd would!

Matthew
How is she doing right now?

 

[reidcrandall]

Everything seems to be going well. The navarchus will eat anything now, including flake. Already grown about 1/4" in just a week and a half, too!

The regal, however, while eating, has not yet expanded his diet. He's eating Rods fish eggs, Hikiri mysis and fresh clam. He's stopped eating the spirulina brine. Can't get him to eat any spirulina or nori, either.

Any tips for getting a regal to eat some veggies? I know he needs 'em.

I will try to get some pics this afternoon and post as well.

 

[michael_cb_125]

The fact that the little regal is eating is good news. I would not be too concerned about expanding his diet right now. Just keep him well fed. Eventually he will convert to other foods, but for now the foods he is eating will be just fine.

~Michael

 

[Sheol]

Sounds like everything is progressing fine, keep us posted, OK?

Matthew

 

[reidcrandall]

Regal... You crazy bastard! You keep me on my toes!

The past two days, he's eaten spirulina brine, which he'd refused for about a week, and refused fresh clam!

 

[Sheol]

Even better news, sounds like everything is coming along great for you. Congratulations. If I ever buy a fish online guess I'll use DD.

Matthew

 

[michealprater]

Tagging along