keeping a bicolor angel alive

[kmooresd85]

I recently got a bicolor angel and four days later its dead. During the time I had it, I could not get it to eat and the water parameters look good so I assume it was because he didnt eat. I also caught him flashing once as well but Im not sure thats just something I happened to see once or if there was something really wrong as there were no visible signs of parasites or disease. I have heard this is common with them and the store I purchased from excludes them from guarantees as they are finicky fish. I heard angelixir from brightwell helps and I purchased it but he died before it arrived.

I really want another go at it so I was wondering if anyone has had success with them and if you have some advice what would it be? Also, is it even worth giving it a second try?

 

[MrTuskfish]

A fish won't die because it didn't eat for four days. Bicolors are simply a fish that is difficult to acclimate to captivity. There are lots of fish in this category. I think Bicolors from Indonesia are more likely to be a problem. A lot of the better ones come from Fiji and you may do better with one from there. No secrets that I know of with this fish, I kept one for years and it thrived. Always "iffy" , though.

 

[kmooresd85]

ya the not eating thing was just a guess because I couldnt see any other visible signs of bad health. i do have patches of algae growing in the tank and it was picking at it but I thought maybe that was just not enough. Most people I've talked to have always told me it's hit or miss. I even read a post from someone who's first one died but their second one thrived which is why I would like to try again but maybe I will go with a hardier dwarf angel so as to not kill another one

 

[MrTuskfish]

ya the not eating thing was just a guess because I couldnt see any other visible signs of bad health. i do have patches of algae growing in the tank and it was picking at it but I thought maybe that was just not enough. Most people I've talked to have always told me it's hit or miss. I even read a post from someone who's first one died but their second one thrived which is why I would like to try again but maybe I will go with a hardier dwarf angel so as to not kill another one

Good plan!

 

[Bernie21]

I have one that's doing great, but went through two first, thinking it was me. After the 2nd one died the same way as the first & as you stated above, I decided not to try again. There seems to bee collection issues w these fish. However, some one broke down his tank & had one that he had for over a year, so I jumped on it & its doing great. Stay away unless you can get it 2nd hand or has lived at the LFS for some time or you find it on D & D.

 

[ntropics]

An interesting story: I have a bicolor angel that's been in the tank for about four years. It was one of my first fish, so it's certainly not an issue of experienced vs. novice. Anyway, I got it from a LFS that said it was the only one that survived from a shipment of about twenty! Now, I don't know what to say about a LFS ordering twenty bicolor angels. But it is apparently true that it is a hit or miss thing. WWM says that it really does depend on where they come from.
Bruce

 

[rssjsb]

I got it from a LFS that said it was the only one that survived from a shipment of about twenty!

That story and others I've heard about this fish suggests that it might be a good candidate for staying in the ocean. On the other hand, I don't really know the statistics about how many of these fish (or any other, really) have to be collected to get one that survives in someone's tank. I suspect those statistics would be pretty depressing for a lot us, even for fish we don't even consider "difficult."

 

[orangegoby]

this makes me feel a bit guilty as a fish keeper. the fish catcher have to keep on catching in order to make a living. and overall the survival rate that made it through our tank could be on the low side. i always thought if the survival rate is high, lots of the LFS may have hard time keeping the door open for long.

 

[kmooresd85]

New Info! So I got another one, but from a different lfs. This Lfs I trust ALOT more but didnt get one here the first time as they didnt have them. The owner is one of those that wont sell you anything unless you're ready for it (unfortunately this will cost him his business which totally sucks for me because hes been super reliable and great) He gave me a bunch of info on the bicolor collections.

The new bicolor I got from him is from Fiji and is MAC certified. I can tell you, from the beginning, he looks WAY healthier than the last one. For one thing he ate when I was at the store. During acclimation, he looked alot better than the one that died which I thought the odd behavior was just due to the stress of being transported. This may still not work, and he hasnt eaten yet in my tank, but thats my impression thus far after one night.

He told me that some of these are caught in the philipines and some are from fiji. He said he always avoids phillipine fish as some of the collection practices are questionable. He didnt elaborate as to what they were though.

Dont know if this info helps or is any good, but thats what I was told so I decided I'd share

 

[suta4242]

This must be a collection / shipping issue as our local bicolors are thought of as a hardy pygmy angel. A local guy lost his after 13 years a few years ago, and I know of a number kept in captivity for several years. Unfortunately they are overlooked by most hobbyists here because of their size and predilection for some corals.

hth and good luck!

 

[Ambition]

The Philippines have poor collection practices due to it being made up of many islands, like Indonesia. This makes policing the collection points diffult, thus, improper methods slip by unnoticed until the organism gets shipped off to the wholesaler, retailer, or even the hobbyist. I urge people to buy from other more reputable collection points if the fish you want comes from other places like he bicolor angel. Always a good thing to support those who collect with the interest of the animal in mind.