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FAQs about the Imperator Angel Social Disease

FAQs on Emperor Angel Health: Emperor Disease 1, Emperor Disease 2, Emperor Health 3, Emperor Health 4, Emperor Health 5,
FAQs on Emperor Angel Health by Category: Diagnosis, Environmental, Nutritional, Pathogenic (see also:
Angels and Butterflyfishes & Crypt), Trauma, Genetic, Treatments

Related Articles: Imperator Angels, Pomacanthus Angels, Marine Angelfishes

Related FAQs: Emperor Angels 1Emperor Angels 2, Emperor Angels 3, Emperor Angel ID, Emperor Behavior, Emperor Compatibility, Emperor Angel Selection, Emperor Angel Systems, Emperor Feeding, Marine Angelfishes In General, Selection, Behavior, Compatibility, Health, Feeding, Disease,  

 

Angelfishes for  Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

P. imperator... beh., comp.      5/20/13
Hi guys I have a quick question, I have a 5" emperor angel in my 187 gallon tank ( tank dimensions 60"x30"x24"), I've had him for around 8 months but recently I noticed blotchy white patches all over his body,
<Mmm, such are usually due to "emotional distress"; though can be physiological directly>
 I went to feed my fish today and as usual the emperor & my puffer
<Mmm, what species, size is this puffer?>

 where the first two fish up at the top of the tank but when I fed the fish he sort of picked at the food and didn't seem his bullish self now he has got me a bit worried, the blotchy white patches have appeared and his colour has faded a bit, is this a disease or is the angel still in the process of changing from juvenile to adult coloration?
<Perhaps a bit of the latter>
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Steve
<I'd be keeping my eye on the puffer, other livestock here. Something is not to the Emperor's liking. Bob Fenner>
Re: re:     5/21/13

Thanks for the reply Bob
The puffer is a Stars and Stripes puffer he's around 7 inches,
<Mmm, the principal, a principal culprit>

But I've never seen either the puffer or emperor go near each other in an aggressive manner
<... just the same... could be intimidating the Angel>
 not even when food is in the tank in fact the puffer is the most docile fish in the tank. I know the emperor will get too big for the tank but I don't think he has to compete for space or food at the moment, I should point out that he isn't breathing heavily and is swimming around as normal and he has started to eat again and  be his normal bullish self so I'm pretty happy with that, but I was over in my lfs and they said I should give him a formaldehyde dip
<?! I would NOT do this. Too toxic and traumatizing>

but I don't want to stress him or do a dip just incase it has a negative effect on him, but the white patches are still bothering me so I was just wondering if you think  is it best to do the dip or have the poor fish go through unnecessary stress by catching him and putting him in a bucket if there is nothing wrong with him, I appreciate your input Bob.
Thanks
Steve
<As prev. stated; I'd just stay observant at this point. BobF>

Emperor Angel, hlth.  12/7/11
Hi there, Guess who's back once again at your mercy? Yes Jim again.  I have a Emperor Angel for probably three months. He blotches and spots a lot and is probably 75% changed. I don't see normal Ick signs. I am starting to worry about him thinking putting him in quarantine, but not sure to treat him for.  Is this normal when there changing or does he have a disease?
<This fish is very stressed by something... water quality, nutrition, some tankmate/s bullying?>
He eats fine and shows no signs of stress. No other fish show any signs.
Sent some pictures. Thanks, Jim
<You don't supply sufficient input, information to respond substantively.
Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/EmpAHlthF5.htm
and all the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

 

Re: Emperor Angel 12/7/11
Hi Bob, Unfortunately I think he stressed from my larger blueface.
<Ahh, too likely so>
 He is in a 180. He chases him away off and on , but is not hurting him at all.
<Mmm, psychological/social health is a reality, as real as any other type of disease>
 I know they say only one large angel in each tank. I am hopefully going to get a 265 off craigslist in the next few days. I love them both and really don't want to get rid of him. I see several angels together in big tanks all the time.
<Yes... there are indeed service companies that crowd quite a few in large systems... dividing territoriality, aggression it seems. Doesn't happen in the wild I assure you>
So why cant I do it?
<You only have two and the size/volume of the system>
 Do you think I should put him in quarantine until I get a bigger tank?
<Somewhere else, yes>
 I have probably 300lbs of live rock with lots of hiding places in my 180.
<Mmm, I'd actually remove about half of this... make "bommies" instead of a wall... to allow swimming space, more water, and chances for all to get out of visual/sight of each other. Understanzee?>
 Nitrate, ammonia, and nitrite out at zero. Salt gravity 1.025, and temp at 80. Love you guys, Jim
<Thank you Jim. BobF>
Re: Emperor Angel   12/8/11

Hi Bob, Thanks so much for advice. I will remove alot <no such word> of rock tomorrow and put it in my quarantine. I hope the hypo salinity well not kill it.
<Me too>
 I have one more question. I have a green mandarin that been thriving. Do I need to get rid of him because I am removing a lot of my rock? He feeds off the rocks and eats Mysis, and hoping someday Spectrum pellets. 
<There should be enough production from the remaining quantity of LR and if the sump is on the same system... it will continue to supply foods as well.
BobF>

Markings on an Emperor Angel, dangerous mix in a FO system  - 05/10/2006 Dear WetWebMedia, I'm Luca. I've purchased a Pomacanthus Imperator 4 months ago and lately I've notices some white spots on one of his fin. It doesn't show any other troubles, no white spots on the body and no Velvet. I've also a Ac. Leucosternon, so if something was wrong in my aquarium, I can bet an eye <Interesting oath> the Leuc. got it first. The spot looks like a little white mildew. I've checked my water and everything is fine; I've tried a treatment with Malachite green without any significant success. Then I've tried several bath with ozone treatment, the same result. At this point I'm quite worried what kind of nasty bacterium or virus could stand all of this. <Perhaps nothing that can be treated...> Another strange fact is that all the other fishes are fine. My aquarium is a 700 lt and inside we got: 1 Maculosus, <... not large enough for two, these two Pomacanthids> 1 Pseudobalistes fuscus, 1 Balistes conspicillum, <Nor these Triggers, particularly the last> 1 ac. leucos., 1 Balistes Huma. I hope you could help me cos I don't know what else I can do. Thank you for your assistance Luca <... You need a much larger system, or two, immediately... I would move the one Angel (the Emperor) to the easier going of the two, add a purposeful cleaner organism... or two, and otherwise wait and see. Bob Fenner>
RichardB's go - 05/10/2006 Dear WetWebMedia, I'm Luca. < Hello Luca!> I've purchased a Pomacanthus Imperator 4 months ago and lately I've notices some white spots on one of his fin. It doesn't show any other troubles, no white spots on the body and no Velvet. I've also a Ac. leucosternon, so if something was wrong in my aquarium, I can bet an eye the Leuc. got it first. < There is no doubt about that! > The spot looks like a little white mildew. I've checked my water and everything is fine; I've tried a treatment with Malachite green without any significant success. Then I've tried several bath with ozone treatment, the same result. At this point I'm quite worried what kind of nasty bacterium or virus could stand all of this. < It could possibly be a form of Lymphocystis, a viral infection that typically is not a threat to the overall health of the fish. Most fish are not affected by Lymphocystis, but rather from the improper use of medications. > Another strange fact is that all the other fishes are fine. My aquarium is a 700 lt and inside we got: 1 Maculosus, 1 Pseudobalistes fuscus, 1 Balistes conspicillum, 1 ac.leucos., 1 Balistes Huma. I hope you could help me cos I don't know what else I can do. < Investigate the Lymphocystis, if that is indeed what ails the fish, don't worry. Frequent partial water changes, coupled with vitamin spiked foods should encourage the demise of the symptoms. Good luck, and keep us posted! > Thank you for your assistance < You are welcome! RichardB >
Luca

Emperor Angel Splotches Hi there,<Hello Ryan> I recently purchased an Imperator (Emperor) Angel for a LFS and with what appeared to be great success. Within the first day he began eating. I have been feeding him from a Marine frozen multi-pak. He eats all of this with as much enthusiasm as my fox face lo which is his new buddy, or so it appears. <<Not. RMF>>The problem is that he has developed light color blotches over his skin. Nothing like Ich, in fact he isn't scratching or breathing rapidly. He just has these discolorations that started on his fins and have progressed to the rest of his body. Could you give me an idea of what I might be dealing with? I am very involved with my hobby and am excited about maintaining this high-risk/ high-reward fish. <Ryan, if you or a friend has a digital camera, send a photo as an attachment so I could look at it. It very well may be marine velvet, but without looking at it I cannot make a judgment. James (Salty Dog)> Thanks, Ryan

Stress/Fright Pattern on Emperor Hey Bob (and Co.) <and strange company he keeps, indeed! Anthony Calfo in your service> As I told you last time, my Emperor's white discolorations disappeared after a simple water change and some vitamins in his food. I've only used the vitamins 3 times so I think it's the water change and refreshed carbon that did the trick. I noticed last night he was just starting to get them again. It's been about a week since my last water change so I'll do another tonight. It seems that my Emperors colors are a direct reflection of water quality and that they can change within a day. <precarious water quality if so. Maybe you are short in stature like me and dipping your armpits laced with aluminum infused deodorant is affecting the water quality so...hehe. Just a theory (with some truth in it! regarding toxicity!)> So it seems my water deteriorates to a point where his color is affected in about 6 days. My question is: Is this normal?  <not by any stretch of the imagination> I don't think so. Perhaps I have too much of a biological load on the tank?  <agreed...a very common and likely scenario confirmed with water tests> I'm considering removing one of my large tangs as they seem to produce a massive amount of waste. What do you think is going on here? <agreed on the tang... and also beneficial that the tangs intimidating presence (even if not aggressive) is removed (by virtue of his size if nothing else. Kindly, Anthony> Rick
Stressed Emperor
Thanks Anthony. <quite welcome, my friend> I'll get rid of a tang this weekend. One of them does challenge the Emperor once in a while but the Emperor puts him in his place every time.  <yes...but the constant threat and stress to do so takes a toll> The emperor actually makes a LOUD barking sound at the purple tang. <very cool. Hopeful not much longer though <smile> Anthony> Rick
Emperor Angel
If you don't mind Anthony, one last follow up. <no trouble at all...it is an honor that anyone should care to know one's opinion> If I hear you, I should get rid of both of my tangs (purple/yellow). <not necessary...but it would be nice. There are much less stressful tankmates> The tank is 75gall. I have no problem moving the tangs as I just love this angel and would be happy with him as the only big fish. <admirable> However, I would like to put something else (smaller obviously) to keep the tank active.  <considering the angels adult size...the next fish will have to be small if you add anything at all in replacement> Any suggestions ( I know you guys don't like to do this) I already have a maroon clown and a Levi Angel. <there are so many choices...but your goal should be to find something that is dissimilar in shape, size, and/or color and most importantly... a different feeding mode. For example, there are a lot of exciting wrasses (like fairies) that are colorful, active and not at all competitive with the angel. Choose carefully...some are incredibly hardy and others near impossible to keep alive. Look through some pictures and follow up with a short list if you want a second opinion> Thanks....for the last time I PROMISE. <no worries at all> Rick...overlooking ground zero in NY. <Ahhh...It actually brought a tear to my eye to watch the Budweiser commercial (during the super bowl) with the Clydesdale horses trekking to NY to bow at the Statue of Liberty...seriously. And I'm not even a beer drinker. Kind regards, Anthony

Angelfishes for  Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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