angels keep dying

[timdam]

i pretty much seem to be able to raise most fish. tangs, puffers, lionfish, etc etc.

But my angels always seem to get sick, and then die. they are always eating and looking healthy, then eventually they get sick.

my water always seem to test pretty good. any ideas?

 

[Recty]

What type of angel are you trying? Different species or some of the more delicate ones?

 

[MRICKEN1012]

stop getting angels

 

[timdam]

The more delicate ones. blue ring, regal angel, koran, queen.

i got a nice skimmer, uv, and two powerheads on my 125.

just wondering what parameters i'm shooting for? warm or cold water? lots of flow?

 

[LargeAngels]

Are you QT'ing or just throwing them all in the DT? Are they big/small? Are they all from the same supplier? Be more specific when you say "sick." Are they scratching, red marks on the body, stop eating and die of starvation, suddenly die, etc? How many fish in the tank?

 

[timdam]

Are you QT'ing or just throwing them all in the DT? Are they big/small? Are they all from the same supplier? Be more specific when you say "sick." Are they scratching, red marks on the body, stop eating and die of starvation, suddenly die, etc? How many fish in the tank?

- Not QT'ing them.
- They are Big ones
- sick as in scratching, and cloudy eyes
- they are eating
- 2 tangs, 1 puffer, and 1 lion in the 125 gallon tank

 

[geaux xman]

Angels really needs to be QT'd. 14-21days of cupramine and 2 rounds of prazipro. if you refuse to do copper, at least do the 2 treatments of prazi. it is too easy to not do and the fish takes it very well too.

 

[timdam]

do these parasites only hit angels though? cuz my other fish seem fine.

do i just have parasites IN my tank? cuz the angel i have now was in my neighbor's tank for a year and did fine.

 

[LargeAngels]

That would indicate flukes and should be treated for (as stated above) and this means you have flukes in your system and unless you treat the whole tank all new angels (and other fish) will get it. The severity will depend on the health of the fish, but since all newly caught fish are pretty stressed their defenses will be down. Angels are notorious for comming in with flukes.

I don't introduce a single fish into any of my aquariums unless they have been treated for flukes.

 

[timdam]

i am going to get prazi pro from my LFS today. will start using it tonight.

should i do a freshwater dip on my one sick angel?

 

[namxas]

Since flukes are monogenetic trematodes, I doubt they're in the tank unless an established fish has become infected because they start and finish their life cycle on a single host.

However, you're learning a valuable lesson about QT, and you're lucky you haven't had any issues with the DT yet.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I dont know the sizes or species of your fish but you do have a fair amount of bioload for a 125. Angels are not hard to keep with some knowlege about their requirements. Of the angels you mentioned only the regal could be considered touchy, the others are all very hardy fish. A few thoughts.

A 125 isnt large enough for the big Pomacanthus and Holacanthus angels long term, especially with two tangs and a lionfish. Angels have been known to nip at lions and this may not be a good mix depending on the species involved. Angels are one of those fish who do much better in a seasoned or well established tank and it is not uncommon to see them struggle in new tanks.

As others have stated many angels come in with parasites and getting a good fish to start with is very important. I pay close attention where my fish are coming from and will pay more to get a fish from a better location. Angels need good water quality and I would guess this has been an issue in your inability to keep angels as well.