Coral Beauty Angel

[telurin]

Has anyone had any experiences with these fish not adjusting? I have one thats 1.5" in a 29g with a PJ Cardinal and 2 Bangai's that are also fairly small. Fish were put in last Tuesday, and he's just started to venture out of the rock work yesterday, which I wasn't too concerned about, but when he does come out he's pacing the glass.

I know a 29g is on the small end for a CB, but I assumed that was when they got in the 2.5-3" range, and by then he'd be going to a much larger setup.

Chems are all zero, Salinity is at 32ppt (~1.024), and the temp is right at 80. The tank is about a month old with these fish the first to go in.

 

[humaguy]

was the tank properly cycled and did you qt the fish?

 

[aquanooby]

Mine paces often until his buddy the sand sifting goby comes out to play with him

 

[johnc99]

Hi there. Is he eating?

I can think of few reasons for the pacing. It could be that he's just getting his bearings and investigating his new boundaries. It could also be that he's picking at pods and film algae on the glass (my flame does that if I haven't cleaned my glass for a few days). Maybe he's seeing his own reflection.

 

[telurin]

Coral Beauty Angel

Aquanooby- thanks for the info! Could you tell me the size of the Angel to the tank?

The tank was cycled correctly and the fish went through about 2 weeks of observational QT with no issues other than the behavioral one, which I attributed to the bare tank and close quarters.

He's not the best eater (Especially compared to the cardinals who beg every time they see someone at the tank). The glass is clean so he may be viewing his reflection.

I've worked with Cherub and Flame Angels and I haven't seen this kind of behavior lasting this long. I'm probably worrying prematurely but I'm concerned the stress will cause problems down the line, and it doesn't make for a good display to have a fish that is displaying repetitive behaviors.

 

[humaguy]

it takes longer than a few weeks to properly cycle a tank and 2 weeks of observational qt will not really accomplish much...how is she?...might want to keep the lights off to relax her...

 

[MrTuskfish]

^^^^^^^^+1^^^^^^^It may not apply here; but (IMO & IME) the one thing all small angels need to thrive is plenty of MATURE LR for grazing. I don't know if its nutritional or just a comfort thing. Be sure the fish has plenty of nori to substitute for the algae covered rock. This fish could just be a late bloomer too.

I remember when LR became a staple in the hobby (I know. I don't look that old.), new benefits seemed to come almost daily (pre-internet) . Many, many people spread the word that keeping small angels was now much easier.

 

[telurin]

@humaguy I started the tank with plenty of mature LR and tested the water every other day. NH3, NO2 and NO3 were at 0 after ~4 weeks. After I added the fish in everything stayed at 0, therefore, the tank is cycled.

I am not a fan of coppering or using other medications without cause. I know there is some risk to that approach, but the fish showed no signs of disease during QT, just the odd behavior, and I was willing to risk it. As she's not rubbing against the rocks/flashing, color is excellent, eyes clear, find not clamped, there is absolutely nothing to indicate a sick fish other than her frantic behavior. If anyone knows of a parasite or a disease that first presents with a constantly pacing fish, with no other signs, of course I will take that into consideration, but otherwise, I don't think the cycling or the QT is the issue at the moment.

She is picking at the LR and I do feed nori daily, with some mysis/brine/rods for the cardinals. So she eats enough, she's just far more interested in the LR than the nori.

 

[humaguy]

well qt is a part of the issue...every fish should through thru a qt protocol that in addition to observation, which is hugely important, also utilizes medication...you lil cb could have flukes...prazipro and cupramine are the meds often used...cupramine hits centropyge very hard and the recommended dosage is ime/imo, far too aggressive...the dosing needs to be done very slowly...make sure Prime or any other ammonia binding agent is not used concurrent with cupramine...
if a tank if not properly cycled it could kill everything in your tank...

 

[MrTuskfish]

...also, most ammonia test kits don't work with Cupramine. The little stick-on badges SeaChem makes work well.