Quarantining Dwarf Angels

[Taqpol]

Hello all, within the next week or two I will be picking up either a Coral Beauty, a Flame Angel, or a Cherub Angel. While not to the extent of tangs, I have heard that these angels are very good grazers and do well with lots of live rock to support their appetites. While I have never quarantined before I don't want to continue making that mistake as my tank is fairly well established now.

The Question: Do dwarf angels do ok with quarantine periods lasting 3-4 weeks without a good source of food from Live Rock. I have to ask because I do not have room for a permanent quarantine tank that could support live rock.

 

[HappySkittles]

couldnt you put a clip of algae in there? or feed some mysis shrimp

 

[Taqpol]

I would definitely feed my frosen mysis, but with angels I always thought that was supplemental to their daily grazing. I thought about including some chaetomorpha from my refugium, do Angels eat chaeto?

 

[Taqpol]

Anyone? I'm going to be making purchases soon.

 

[EvMiBo]

The angels will be (especially those) fine without LR in the QT. I would think you wouldn't want it munching on your LR and Corals - but its usually make or break with angels when it comes to them eating LR and/or corals. So just keep some wide PVC in your QT so they can hide in there for coverage. You probably wouldn't want LR in your QT either because if you ever do Hypo treatment and/or copper treatment your LR would most likely die in a hurry.

"The diet of the Flame (coral beauty & cherub as well) Angelfish should consist of Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysis or frozen shrimp, and other high-quality meaty items." www.liveaquaria.com

I would try to stick to the coral beauty or flame angel, I plan to have one of those 2 and have read that the cherubs tend to be more aggressive. Also, I hope you're getting a larger tank because even though these are pygmy angels, the "minimum" tank size for them is 30gallons.

Best of Luck and hope this helps.

ps- you should get into the habit of QT'ing your fish ALWAYS for at least 4 weeks before putting them into your display tank. This will most likely (at 4 weeks) get rid of any ich the fish may have from the LFS, etc.

 

[Taqpol]

In less than one year I will be upgrading to at least a 75 gallon, so I think the angels will be fine until then. I have heard the same about the cherubs, there were my only chance before I knew I was upgrading since they stay smaller, but now I don't want "Three inches of fury" in my tank.

How wide of PVC joints would be reccomeneded?

 

[JEFFR259]

For what it's worth, I bought a CB about 2 months ago and had a very hard time getting it to eat in QT. It was very shy and didn't want anything to do with food. I think it ate 2 whole brine shrimp while in QT for the first week. I soaked everything in garlic, and tried Mysis, Brine Shrimp, algae sheets and pellets. Nada, no appetite. I consulted my awesome LFS and everyone here at RC, and upon the suggestion of everyone, I put the CB in the DT after 2 weeks in QT as there was no signs of disease.

As said above, they are grazers, and need alot of room and LR to feel comfortable. After two days in the DT, the coral beauty began grazing alot on the LR and algae. It's got bolder and less skitish too. Shortly there after, the appetite went into full swing, eating anything I throw in the tank.

There's my two cents. Essentially, I'd QT a dwarf angel for 1-2 weeks (shorter than the standard 4-6 weeks I do for other fish), and if there's no signs of illness and the DT tank water is perfect, I'd place them in the main tank.

GOOD LUCK! It was definetly stressful for me to have the fish in QT and not eating, some RC members will atest to this, however, it was worth the wait!

 

[Taqpol]

Thats the standard procedure with other finicky eaters like Mandarins, correct? I had already decided that a two week QT was better than no QT at all, so if thats the case I won't mind at all.

I have heard that Coral Beauties are the worst about being shy and finicky, does anyone have experience about the Flame Angel eating right away in QT?

Also, these guys are going to be in a reef, but I'm willing to take the hit or miss chance. Does anyone have experience (good OR bad) with a Coral Beauty or Flame in a reef setting. Are there any particular coral or clam species they go after more than others?

 

[JRechcygl]

Keep in mind Flames are Very sensitive to sudden elevated copper levels, be careful!

 

[JEFFR259]

Well, I assume it's the standard procedure for QT'ing them. Atleast that's what I've learned from here and my LFS.

I really wanted a Potters, but settled on a CB since it was supposed to be a bit easier. So far so good though. However, i did rightfully catch some heat here for putting the CB in my tank when it was only a couple months old, so if your tank is that young, maybe wait a little while. But, the CB seems to be doing well so far.

I've been told and read that the CB is relatively reef safe, same thing for the Flame I believe. I am working on making the tank a mixed reef, so all I have so far is a nice big Zoa cluster, a Torch Coral, some yellow star polyps and a CocoWorm, and so far, I haven't caught the CB picking at anything it shouldn't.

But, then again, I have heard of supposedly reef safe fish turning evil and eating things they shouldn't

 

[Playa-1]

I have a flame and a coral beauty. They are beautiful fish but they are nippers, I don't think they do much damage when they nip but they can be brats. I think a 20g tank might be on the small side for Angels. They will do fine in QT and will eat flakes, frozen shrimp and frozen worms. They will graze on live rocks but I've never seen mine munch off of a veggie clip, so I wouldn't bother with that.
All though they will do fine in a QT as long as you stay on top of the water parameters they are very sensitive to copper and should only be used if absolutely necessary.
You may want to look into a fresh water dip as part of your QT process.

 

[JEFFR259]

Was thinking that the 20 might be a bit cramped too....

Yea, my CB has NEVER eaten off the clip. So, I rubber band the algae sheet to the rock. When I band it to the rock, I use to rubber bands so that the sheet is flat against the rock, not waving in the current like it would with one band. The CB seems to do just fine with that setup!

 

[EvMiBo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13101544#post13101544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Taqpol
How wide of PVC joints would be reccomeneded?

Big enough for your fish to go in and hide, so it can bea little less stressful for them. Maybe a 5" one so they can go in and have some room, etc.

 

[Taqpol]

Before I put them in the QT tank I plan on doing a FW dip with Methylene blue. I've read through the entire "Conscientous Marine Aquarist" section in QT's two times now and i feel confident about dipping.

I know 20 is on the small side. If I got true juveniles would it be ok in a 20 for the six or so months until I get my 75-90 ready?

 

[Playa-1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13102036#post13102036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Taqpol
Before I put them in the QT tank I plan on doing a FW dip with Methylene blue. I've read through the entire "Conscientous Marine Aquarist" section in QT's two times now and i feel confident about dipping.

I know 20 is on the small side. If I got true juveniles would it be ok in a 20 for the six or so months until I get my 75-90 ready?

It would probably be ok for a while. It's going to suck for the fish if something happens and you have to change your plans on the upgrade.

 

[EvMiBo]

Why not just wait until you have a larger tank, are you in a rush? 6+ months seems like a lot to me, I doubt the fish will be happy being crammed. Of course, it's your choice though.