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

reidcrandall

New member
Today I received a package from Live Aquaria Diver's Den, and got a little surprise... The juvenile Pomacanthus navarchus is much smaller than I had anticipated. It was listed at 1 1/4", not large to be sure, but this guy is nary 3/4" including the tail. We're talking smaller than a quarter, here.

I am worried about feeding this guy, and getting him to eat soon enough because of his tiny, tiny size. I have him in QT right now, and, usually, I wouldn't try to feed until tomorrow. But he is so small, I am not sure that I should wait.

I have a ton of food on hand, and don't want to just start throwing stuff in there. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to try with the little guy.

Here's a pic from acclimation:
majestic-bucket.JPG


Adjusted with Photoshop for a better view since I was acclimating in the dark:
majestic-bucket-tone.jpg
 
Sorry if I left anyone out in the title. I was only given so much space. Given the opportunity, I would have listed everyone I see in the angelfish threads :)
 
I also don't use the term 'angelfish nerd' in a negative connotation. I quite admire you all, and hope to someday join the club.
 
mysis and brine. small portions of course. When I got my mac angel it was about that size, actually it was same size as my thumbnail. I was really worried about it too cause it was so small. I kept it in the fuge for 2 months and it reach 2" quickly. 10 months later it is already 5 inches.
 
I would try starting off with Nutramar Ova and Arctipods.

You can also chop up mysis shrimp, or grind it with a mortar and pestle.
 
Dont stress out. The little fish should be fine. Is it from the DD section or from Cali.?
The PE mysis will be entirely too large whole, so you will need to cut it into tiny pieces for this little angel. The hikari may even be too large, I would chop it as well. Just be sure to have plenty of hiding spaces in the QT. Juvenile majestic angels are very cryptic and tend to hide alot. As long as the fish is comfortable and has plenty of shelter it should start feeding.

BTW, we are Angel Fish Nerds, no need to apologize for speaking the truth. ;)

~Michael
 
I've not done that. Any threads that detail the process? I can get some eggs tomorrow.

I wouldn't buy eggs from the LFS because they seem to sit there forever and you probably won't get good hatch rates. If you can order some online from a source like aquatic eco, that would probably be better.

Just put them in some saltwater in a round jar, like big pickle jar with some rigid airline tubing with air bubbling up the side so it creates a circular flow. 24 hours later, unplug the rigid airline tubing from the pump and use it as a siphon. Shine a light in the side of the hatching vessel all the live shrimp will go there take the rigid end of the tub and siphon the shrimp by the light into a small container to feed. You can enrich them with algae paste if you want, or you can just feed them.

Sorry if that wasn't the best explanation.
 
Dont stress out. The little fish should be fine. Is it from the DD section or from Cali.?
The PE mysis will be entirely too large whole, so you will need to cut it into tiny pieces for this little angel. The hikari may even be too large, I would chop it as well. Just be sure to have plenty of hiding spaces in the QT. Juvenile majestic angels are very cryptic and tend to hide alot. As long as the fish is comfortable and has plenty of shelter it should start feeding.

BTW, we are Angel Fish Nerds, no need to apologize for speaking the truth. ;)

~Michael

It's from DD. I know the quality that they provide. He's just so small that I can't imagine he has much reserve.

The regal that I got from them was a fatty and ate right away. This little guy is a different game for me.

I have some live rock in there, as I always like to put some in and then cook it afterward. There are some pvc of various sizes in there as well for him to hide in.
 
I wouldn't buy eggs from the LFS because they seem to sit there forever and you probably won't get good hatch rates. If you can order some online from a source like aquatic eco, that would probably be better.

Just put them in some saltwater in a round jar, like big pickle jar with some rigid airline tubing with air bubbling up the side so it creates a circular flow. 24 hours later, unplug the rigid airline tubing from the pump and use it as a siphon. Shine a light in the side of the hatching vessel all the live shrimp will go there take the rigid end of the tub and siphon the shrimp by the light into a small container to feed. You can enrich them with algae paste if you want, or you can just feed them.

Sorry if that wasn't the best explanation.

That works. I get the idea. I will order some tomorrow, and hopefully I can find some live here locally to throw in in the meantime.

Thank you. It's much appreciated.
 
If the little girl came from the DD, I would not be overly concerned.

Good Luck with the new addition and keep us all posted.

~Michael
 
Arctipods would be better than brine, but you can achieve a much higher density of baby brine shrimp by hatching your own. If you use a sponge filter to filter your tank the brine won't get sucked into the filter and die, you can then leave the brine floating around and the fish can't eat whenever it wants.
 
Hey Reid, first off buddy... relax! That is one cool little fish... coming from any other place I'd be worried, but DD knows how to handle these... you can be assured that for one, this fish was feeding, and two, this fish looked fat and healthy to ship.

In terms of what to feed, simply put anything it could fit in its mouth. See if it shows a feeding response first before you go into detail about specific foods... and feed early and often... as I always say, worry about short term calories not long term diet right now... whatever the fish is feeding on, keep feeding it... ten times a day if you can or whenever you're around at home...

And enjoy that fish... a FULL juvenile P. navarchus is a rare sight!

Copps
 
3/4"!!!!! Congrats on the baby! What a ride you are in for with watching this little guy grow and change before your eyes.

For feeding, I would suggest cyclopees and brine shrimp...if you try mysis make sure it can fit in his mouth.

If it were me I would just have food sitting around thawed out and ready...feed him enough at one sitting and each time you are around the tank just drop some more in.

Have fun!!!!
 
Back
Top