Dwarf Angels

[rjcranor]

Is there any thing special to successfully keeping them, every time I have gotten any they die after awhile. The longest I've kept one was about a year. I've had Coral beauties, flame, bicolor, elibe, lemon peel. I've tried seaweed sheets, use a variety of frozen foods. Appreciate any tips!

 

[randomfishguy85]

is your tank immaculate? they like algae and stuff like that to peck at. mine dont touch seaweed sheets.

 

[rjcranor]

I've usually had algae on rocks, glass! Most of the time they have appeared to be healthy, then sometimes they would not eat as much of the food that I would be feeding. Most of the time they would start eating again. Then after awhile get up and they were dead.

 

[randomfishguy85]

are they all coming from the same lfs? it could be something they are doing. are there any potential bullies? i can understand the bicolor and flame not making it but coral beauties and eiblis are pretty hardy dwarves.

 

[albano]

i can understand the bicolor and flame not making it but coral beauties and eiblis are pretty hardy dwarves.

+1/2... Skip the Bicolor & lemonpeel, but other 3 should be no problem!

 

[rjcranor]

I've gotten them from different lfs, so I don't know why. My flame could have been to early in my first go at saltwater, it only lasted a day.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Did you ever QT them and/or treat them for flukes?

 

[rjcranor]

No I've never used a quarantine tank

 

[nonimmigrant]

I QT all of mine and I treat for parasites in a similar way to LA. Centropyges can get very stressed if just plopped into a tank and if they have internal parasites, they will fall off after a while. Wife permitting, it's very easy to set up a 30 gallon tank with a small filter sump and a few 4" PVC elbows to give them a low stress place where you can fatten them up and treat for para's.

 

[rjcranor]

I don't have the room, when I tried hatching my clown fry I had them in a little 5 gallon in my garage.

 

[rjcranor]

I talked to one of the workers at my local lfs she said she is unable to keep dwarfs either.

 

[albano]

I talked to one of the workers at my local lfs she said she is unable to keep dwarfs either.

You're right! ... if I heard that, I'd definitely give up!

:eek2:

 

[rjcranor]

That was in her own mom tank at home, she said the ones she had tried died also. I've tried them from 4 different lfs. So I'm not sure if it is a feeding issue or what my water is in line. Years ago my ph used to drop, but since I have switched to sand its been stable.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Try QT-ing them and/or (( at least )) treat them for flukes.

I currently have 6 dwarfs and found them pretty easy to keep -- granted all of them have come from the Diver's Den section of LA.

 

[randomfishguy85]

when you get new a new dwarf treat them with some prazi pro. you said the longest one lived was a year, in that case it might just internal parasites. if you ever try again, try a hardy species like coral beauty or argi, treat with prazi pro and dont wipe the sides of your glass for a while before adding it. Also find out where the dwarf is coming from before you buy it, alot of fish coming out of the philipines dont really do well, although this may have been in the past

 

[Fish Bowl]

The flame and coral beauty angels I've kept in the past were quarantined individually in 20gallon longs and have been fed a huge mixed diet. I think it's critical to treat all angels for flukes via dips/+ praziquantel in addition to getting them used to captive care before throwing them into a DT.

 

[sandwi54]

QT should be applied to every single fish, not just dwarf angels. Not using a QT is analogous to having sex with someone you've just met without using protections. Fish deserve the same treatment as yourself

Anyway, dwarf angels are pretty regular fish and are not and should not be hard to keep, aside from a few famous species who don't acclimate well to captive life. They don't really have special dietary requirements other than algae matters. All of mine eat prepared food like NLS pellets, which I train them to in a QT prior to adding to the DT (it's must easier that way). I'd say try again, but this time set up a QT, medicate them with both prazipro and cupramine, and train them to eat prepared food before putting them into the DT.

 

[rjcranor]

Thanks for input, not sure what I will do I have a 29 gallon I could use for a qt but no place to put it.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Try QT-ing them and/or (( at least )) treat them for flukes.

I currently have 6 dwarfs and found them pretty easy to keep -- granted all of them have come from the Diver's Den section of LA.

+1 All fish should be in a QT and de-wormed. IMO &IME; Two things that may help: Dwarf Angels need lots of mature and healthy LR and, like all fish, a varied diet with added vitamins. I think the source is a big deal too; I'd avoid any DA (or other fish) from the "Indo-Pacific"; this is just too broad of an area and includes many places with questionable collection practices.

 

[rjcranor]

Like I said I was don't have room for a qt tank.