Regal Angel Primer

[dvmsn]

Nick, this is exactly how I lost two of mine.

 

[GSchiemer]

Sounds like a disease issue to me, especially since it was eating well. Typically they will eat well until the disease becomes overwhelming. My guess would be ich or a bacterial infection, both of which are common problems in new regal angels.

I think the suggestion of the clam on a half shell is a good one but unfortunately they rarely recover from either of these problems without intervention.

 

[curthendrix]

Is there a trend that many of these fish thrive in our tanks for the first week or so then suddenly stop eating and subseqently die? Are they contracting a bacteria infection brought on from the stress of capture and shipment? It seems that many of these fish initially adapt fairly well to our tanks only to stop feeding later.

 

[nbd13]

Hey i will try a clam, it has to be alive right? and then crack it open and throw it in right?

this is the first regal, i never bought a second one....

this guy was doing so well... now he just doesnt show any intrest...

he used to attack the turkey baster i used to feed him with... i mean really go at it.... now nothing!

pretty devastating at this point...

really dont want to loose the little girl....

so the clam has to be alive right?

anything else i can do?

fresh water dip? anything? or just wait it out and see?

thanks!

Nick

 

[nbd13]

also, i mean the other fish that are with him were in there before and had no issue...

plus i dont see any ich on him what so ever, so it might be bacteria relates...

she just isnt the same, used to always be swimming around, but now just sits there hovering in 1 spot.... very weird...

she used to follow me around, but these last 2 days nothing....

anyway i will see if i can find a fresh clam...

Nick

 

[LargeAngels]

I would try and remove it and put it in a quarentine tank. At least you could medicate in QT. FW dip works for ich, but not velvet. I quarentined mine in Cupramine copper for 6 weeks before introducing to my main tank.

 

[curthendrix]

Yes, go to your fish market and get a live clam..crack it open and serve on the half shell. I sometimes cut a few shallow slices into the meat of the clam to aid the angel in eating.

 

[nbd13]

thanks guys, i am off to see what i can find!

Nick

 

[nbd13]

hey also i picked up 2 clams and 4 mussels, how long can i keep them in the fridge?

also just cracked a clam open and nothing? how long shoudl it take?

thanks!

Nick

 

[nbd13]

Well its been about an 1/2 an hour and none of my fish have touched the clam or mussel.... i put one of each in.

what do you think? the only thing eating the clam and mussel are the 2 cleaner shrimp....

Nick

 

[Steve Atkins]

.....what do you think? ..Nick

I think that is very odd. Virtually every fish in my tank attacks the mussel I put in, often several trying at the same time. In fact, the only fish that I can say I have not seen eating fresh mussel is the mandarin.

If they ignored it, I would be busy checking out my water and getting pretty concerned about the health of the tank in general.

It did take them a couple of minutes to decide it was food when I put it in the first time though.

Steve

 

[nctangman]

All,

Is what ndb13 experience normally behavior/activity for a regal angel??

Just curious....As I have a Red Sea Regal Angel on order...
Kirk

 

[nctangman]

boy, that is terrible english..

let me try that again.

<ahem..> Is what nbd13 is experiencing normal behavior/activity for a regal angel after 2 wks of captivity???

Just curious...As I have a Red Sea Regal angel on order...

Kirk

 

[nbd13]

i checked my water parameters and everything is fine,

ammonia- 0
NO3-0
NO4-0
PO4-.01
SG- 1.025


i just dont get it?

i did see her eat alittle bite at dinner tonight, but only 2 pieces of my own food....

i only feed my own mix and she loved it?

is there anything i can do at all?

thanks!

Nick

 

[Steve Atkins]

From what I have read and my own experience it is what often happens but not what could be expected if all is going well.

They can have periods off their food but the "heavy breathing" is not good. I am aware of one here in NZ that expired not so long ago, after some time (months) doing well in a tank. The first signs were loss of apetite and heavy/fast breathing.

It is common for them to not eat for the first few days, even a week, but many, nine included, were interested in eating from almost as soon as they arrive. The bit that takes the time is getting them used to the type of food available in your tank and for them to get brave enough to come out and chase after it.

Steve

 

[GSchiemer]

Just because the regal angel isn't showing outward signs of ich doesn't mean it isn't bothered by parasites. Existing fish often develop an "immunity" to ich and are rarely overwhelmed by it. OTOH, the stress factor in new fish leaves them susceptible to ich. If the problem was bacterial, you'd see cloudy areas on the fins and body, especially on the pectoral fins. There's probably little you can do short of treating the fish in a separate aquarium, and that may be too late now. Sorry to be so pessimistic, but these are delicate fish and we should never be cavalier about their care.

BTW, you didn't list measurements fo pH and alkalinity, which are important parameters.

 

[Steve Atkins]

is there anything i can do at all?

I have been told that if you can catch them then they can be treated with antibiotics but the problem is if they are not interested in food a fish trap is not going to help and they will dissapeear into the reef if you chase them with a net.

Which antibiotic to use, I don't know.

Steve

 

[nbd13]

Its weird, because this regal is the only large fish in the tank besides a foxface lo so it doesnt have any competition for food...

it was acting like she was queen of the tank and then 2 days ago stopped swimming around like she used to and stopped coming to the turley baster like she used to...

i mean whenever i stuck the turkey baster in the tank she would come to in instantly, but now nothing no intrest in the turkey baster or me..... very weird behavoir. i did notice though like i said she ate made 2 pieces of food tonight, but after that clams or anything want atract her, not even any fish...

but i mean these are smaller clams maybe an 1.5" in length.... does that matter?

this really sucks i thought i had a winner, but now i guess not. i spoke to soon i guess....

should i just keep trying to feed her the regular food i have been? or should i try something else? like mysis or something?

anyway is there anything i can do? i will continue to try clams and mussels on the half shell....

thanks again!

Nick

 

[HOZERTHEBONEFISH]

Nick

Try some live brine or frozen mysis with lots of garlic... Best of luck

Henry

 

[nbd13]

alright i will see what i can do,

i mean my frozen food blend has a bunch of garlic in it....

this sucks....

Nick