Two flame angels dying...why?

[corwise]

The "last fish" I keep trying to add to my tank is a flame angel. Everything I've read lists them as a reasonably tough fish. However, I've had two die now two or three days after I put them in the tank. All water parameters are good, I even took a sample down to the LFS to have them test it in case I was screwing something up. The other fish in the tank (a Tang, 2 Sabae Clowns, Dragon Gobie, Lawnmower Bennie, Clown Gobie, are all doing fine, as well as the corals. I waited a month after the first angel died to try again, but still, no luck. Anyone have any ideas on what might be wrong? Thanks.

Dave

 

[pwhitby]

i would suggest that your sebaes are attacking them and they are getting stressed out, that coupled with food competition may really stress them out. I would suggest getting a Qt system. Ensure the fish is healthy and eating the same food that you use in your tank. That way the fish will be more equipeed to feed when in its final home.

You may still have an issue with the clowns.....if that is the cause.

 

[captbunzo]

I had a similar experience with a flame angel recently. I think they are a little less hardy then we'd think. Some of the research I did suggested that might be the case.

 

[scott0615]

In general, dwarf angels are pretty sensitive to copper. Do the LFS's you have purchased them from use copper in their systems. I have found complexed copper [Cupramine by Seachem] is tolerated much better.

 

[corwise]

From what I noticed, the clowns never bothered them, but I might just have missed it. Both of them were eating fine in the LFS, but just ignored the food that I put in there. Not really compitition, just didn't seem interested.
I have no idea bout the copper, I'll have to ask. I would doubt it, because they run one water system through all their tanks, including ones that hold corals, which would be bad.
Thanks for the help, I'm just frustrated (and the wife won't let me buy any more flames) and trying to come up with some ideas.

 

[SeanF]

I think all in all the flame angels that are coming into Los Angeles right now are not very good. I went through 7 wholesalers while I was down in LA and was wanting to pick up some nice flame angels out of over 100 that I looked at I only brought home one. They are definately one of the more finicky Dwarf Angels I would say. I personally think it is just the quality of the fish coming in right now or the way they are being housed in LA. I will be able to tell more after I get my first shipment directly from Hawaii next week.

 

[Serra]

Here is a real good example of how we can help our fish have a better chance at surviving in captivity. Really, the quarantine tank is the beginning of the acclamation process. Our pets need time to get used to being in captivity, time to learn how to eat without threat of other fish, and time to get used to seeing a human staring at it.

Especially if you know a species is a bit of a challenge, you should quarantine. Give your fish time to overcome the stress of capture, multiple transfers and who know what it has gone through.