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FAQs about Marine Angelfishes 2
Related Articles: Marine Angels, The
Ultimate Angelfish Aquarium; An amazing and challenging collection of
marine angelfishes by
Peter Giwojna,
Related FAQs: Marine Angels 1, Angelfish
ID, Marine Angelfish Selection,
Behavior, Compatibility, Systems,
Health, Feeding, Disease,
Look carefully at a fish's mouth for signs of damage and infection. Once this
area has troubles, the specimen is on a quick downward path.
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Rare marine fish book possibility, esp. pomacanthids
Bob,
<Michael>
It's been about 5 years since our last e-mail communication.
<Tempus fugit>
Nonetheless, much in the world has changed in the way of my fish
collection. Once again, I've been an avid hobbyist for 24 years now and
an avid rare fish collector for 10 years. I've had systems from 30
gallons to 4000 gallons.
The purpose for my e-mail was to discuss the likelihood for market
demand for a TRUE, NO-NONSENSE book - focused on rare and unusual
species. I've got all the angelfish books and while the pictures are
great - the aquarium advice is garbage. There is little truly usable
information on the husbandry of rare specimens, cost of acquisition,
realistic availability and photos from an aquarium. Mr. Endoh's
Japanese recent Angelfish book is the closest to such an endeavor - 90%
of photos taken in captivity.
<Very typical for Japanese aquarium books. Nonetheless, great pix.>
I would be very interested in your opinion on the opportunity. I'm
currently considering beginning this endeavor. I've had pretty much
everything considered rare on the Angelfish and Butterfly side.
Here's a current list of my inventory:
3 Holocanthus clarionensis
3 Holocanthus africanus
1 Holocanthus limbaughi
1 Holocanthus ciliaris - St. Paul's Rocks Specimen 1 Centropyge
interrupta
2 Centropyge resplendens
2 Centropyge debelius
1 Centropyge joculator
1 Centropyge hotumatua
1 Centropyge aurantius
1 Centropyge boylei
1 Centropyge multicolor
2 Apolemichthys arcuatus
1 Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus
1 Apolemichthys griffisi
2 Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus - 1 Specimen is a hybrid C.
conspicillatus x C. meredithi
1 Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis - Solid blue face specimen
2 Pomacanthus chrysurus - 1 Specimen is a hybrid P. chrysurus x P.
maculosus
1 Pomacanthus asfur - Xanthic color form - White bar and white caudal
fin
2 Genicanthus personatus
Let me know your thought, angry retorts, etc.
<Hee hee! That's a lot of marine angelfishes... and money invested. I'd bet they
eat more money in food than myself.>
Best regards,
Michael Gonzales
<Such a work has intriguing possibilities, though I must relate to you that
print works in the aquarium interests rarely make any real money (we shoot for
15% cash against cash annual returns)... BUT I do encourage you to pursue the
project "serially" at first, by writing your experiences, points of view in
"article format"... and selling same (I'll help you) to print and Net pet-fish
periodicals. Take a species, or genus, or aspect (selection, habitat,
foods/feeding/nutrition...) if you'd like and "write it up"... and make, find
pix to go along with it... and voila (!) you're on your way to book publication.
Bob Fenner>
Big Fish- Tough Questions (Cont'd.)
Hi Scott,
<Hello again!>
Thanks for the reply.
<You're quite welcome!>
I guess sadly, these last few days have been like a child discovering there's no
Santa Claus. These are my favourite fish, always have been, and I have kept a
couple of different species at different stages, thankfully I only killed one,
during a power outage - so I feel less guilty about that.
<Yep!>
As attractive as Santa sounds, unfortunately he ain't there - and in reality,
the truth of marine angels is that a happy healthy angel in the home aquarium is
only a myth. To truly love these animals is to respect them and let them to the
wild - or else get a 500 gal tank, and a 1000lbs of LR -and a smaller angel
species.
<Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with you. Full sized Pomacanthids are
really best suited for public aquariums, rather than home aquariums. However,
you could have great success with many of the Centropyge, Genicanthus, and other
genera which achieve smaller adult sizes...>
It pains me to say it, and I still can't believe I am saying it, but I guess I
am, and I came to the conclusion by myself, through my own thought process, and
without coercion from green peace :-)
<LOL>
Guess its the engineer in my arriving at the only logical conclusion that there
is. One day I might have the money, and time, and space to set up a truly great
"angel" system - and by then, hopefully, there will have been many
more advances in the technology and food stuffs available.
<No doubt there will be!>
Again, cheers for the reply,
Regards, Matt
<My pleasure, Matt. If nothing else, your study opens your mind up to the
ethics involved in keeping such fishes in captivity. Thanks for sharing! Scott
F>
Some Questions about Angelfish
Hi uncle Bob hehehe (can I call you uncle Bob),
<You may call me what you want, but please, not late for dinner>
thanks for replying my long email, and I'm very
appreciate that you can even know my language!!
Amazing Bob.
So uncle Bob, in my second email (long again), I want
to ask you some question :
1. Which one is the most expensive in your country
between the blue face, the majestic and the emperor?
<If compared at the same size, the Blue Face>
Why it can be like that?
<Mmm, maybe just longer to ship... perhaps perception of value. That is,
folks consider that they can get more for it. Some possibility of differential
mortality... it dies easier...>
2. As stated in my first email in my country there is
so much different between my local angelfish comparing
to import angelfish (Red Sea and Caribbean), but why
in your country the differences in price is not too
significant?
<The net landed cost factors are maybe high for all localities... mainly
handling and shipping, so all are relatively expensive>
If I must import your kind of fish, so do
you if you want my indo pacific fish, and the taxes
should be around the same either from my country to
your country or in contrary case, but why the
differences of prices is so significant? (can you
imagine if I can buy the asfur for only US$ 100 for
adult size, I'm very very happy)
<You're closer to the source (the Red Sea) and likely airfreight costs are
lower there>
3. About the regal angelfish, I want to tell you my
true story about this fish. I kept this fish
about 7 years ago in my 60 gallons F/O tank (before I
kept my angelfish in my previous email). I kept this
fish for about 3-4 months, but this fish refuses any
kind of food I've over to him such as :
lettuce, shrimp, guppies, flakes, pellet (but not yet
tried open scallops or mussel), but the fish doesn't
showed any sign of lose weight and still swimming
around the tank, why this can be happen?
<Mysterious... maybe it was eating some live rock organisms? Or the other
fish's food when you weren't watching?>
Even my queen
dead in a week because it refuses to eat!
And because I'm feel pity about the lives of this
fish, I take a decision to release this fish to the
sea (even my friend pray for my care of fish souls),
So uncle Bob, I know many articles writes down that
this fish should not be keep even for experience
aquarist (suggestion), but because I want to take a
chance again in keep this fish, what will you
recommend to me?
<Yes, but do your best to try and get a specimen from further into the Indian
Ocean, if possible, from the Red Sea itself. These are immensely more hardy than
the West Pacific specimens>
Can I seduce the regal with open
scallops or mussel, I read that most angel and
butterflyfish cannot refuse this recipe, is that true?
<It is a very good "trick", that often leads to these fishes taking
other foods. Bob Fenner>
Re: Red Sea Or Caribbean
Thank you very much bob for your reply. Yes, of
course it is better to have only 1 large marine angel
in 1 tank, but because the lack of spaces in my home
so I try to put them together in my 180cm long x 100cm
width x 60cm height.
<You are so fortunate to have so many beautiful animals so near... yet I
understand the desire to house "exotics" in your system.>
What makes the rock beauty are so difficult to keep in
the tank? Is it because this fish will not eat
commercial fish food, or easily strike by diseases, or
what?
<All the above, plus "just" inherently poor attitude toward
captivity>
I read in your web sites that Apolemichthys griffisi
is reported comes from Indonesia, but from my
experience in keep marine fish I've never seen this
fish in my LFS.
<I see that on fishbase.org that Richard Pyle is the pers. comm. which lists
this species from Indo.. I have never seen it there either>
If this true that this species comes
from my country, than it mean that this species has
been extinct from our sea, it's a pity!
<No... I suspect that it is just rare or only found in a part of your vast
country... perhaps, let's say, only in Irian Jaya... or Northern Sulawesi...>
What do you mean by tame in term of French Angel, is
it mean that I can touch this fish by my hand?
<Mmm, more like you can train it to take food by hand>
My
French look tame but I can't still touch him by my
hand, is the asfur can become tame also?
<Yes, even more so>
Thank you very much!
<You're welcome my friend. Salamat. Bob Fenner>
Regal Angel in a Reef
>Hi Bob/Crew,
>>Hello, Marina here tonight.
>I just wondered if you could provide some info beyond what I know.
I have acquired a 3 inch juvenile Red Sea Pygoplites diacanthus, tip top shape,
feeding in the shop on Mysis, and put it in my 120g reef tank (mostly leather, Sinularia, a
Fungia, xenia, etc).
>>A brave, brave thing you've done, but to have best success with this
animal, I think you've provided the best possible of
circumstances. However, do watch some corals. If you have
sponges growing well he'll make good and happy use of them.
>Circulation is good I think, about 20000 l/h -2 Tunze 4002 and one stream
6100- and there is plenty of live rock. I have an aragonite sump. I
feed a variety of foods (Mysis, krill, Gammarus, SF bay emerald entree, squid,
lobsters eggs, all soaked in Zoe and vitamins every day) and I add my own hand
made live phyto every day. I was just wondering if you have any
suggestions beyond what I am doing to make the fish feel ok.
>>He should FEEL just fine, but also offer greenery. If you
have anything resembling a refugium in which you can grow your own macro algae,
he should wish to make use. Also, Nori (Japanese sushi algae sheets)
is EXCELLENT, both to free-feed and to soak in said supplements (I very much
like Selcon).
>His tankmates are a 6" majestic - no aggression whatsoever from him at
all to the little one, rather the little one seems to have sort of adopted him
and never strays far from him... weird hey? -
and a regal tang.
>>You have definitely broken some rules with the mixing of angels, though
they are each a different genus, so I would remain hopeful that no aggression
will transpire upon maturation. I *would* like to see these fish in a
larger system, double that size would be a great start.
>The regal angel is eating and acting normally and moving about in the
rocks. So, any further dietary or other suggestions?
>>Watch, and the tang will greatly appreciate the addition of Nori as
well. I think you should gain best results in this situation, but do
watch for nipping of corals by them. A link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pygoplites/
-- and another: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pomacanthus/euxiphipops.htm
>Many thanks, Massimo, Brighton UK
>>Quite welcome, Massimo, and best of luck! Marina
Large Angels Eating Inverts? - 8/10/03
hey bob
<Anthony Calfo in his stead... Bob is away to Indo for several weeks
attending a nude SCUBA convention sponsored by a large hair removal product
company>
will large angels like the genus Pomacanthus eat Ricordea mushrooms?
<does a bear bring a readers digest into the woods?>
...or other softies like polyps, zoo's etc?
<and a roll of toilet tissue too?>
...I'm not really concerned about my xenia as that grows like a weed anyway
<understood>
I don't have any SPS or LPS corals...but I do keep a Squamosa clam and may try
to keep more clams down the road...
<the clams are at risk too. Rather random predation though. The big angels
rank high on a reef as predators and sample most any kind of reef invertebrate.
You see exceptions of well-behaved individuals occasionally... but they are
overwhelmingly unsafe. Best bets are Gorgonians... very noxious and unpalatable
in general.>
btw, my tank is a 6' 125 gallon with 180 #s of LR...
thanks, Brad
<kind regards, Anthony>
Angel food - 07/09/03
What is the best seaweed select to feed my angel fish? the red, green, or
brown? What else is a good everyday feeder for him? Mysis shrimp?
<As with humans, variety is the spice of life. All three are a good choice,
as well as Mysis. You also should look into frozen foods that are formulated for
angel fish, many angels like sponges, which are in short supply in most
tanks.>
Blue-Face and Six-Striped/Banded Angelfish 6/28/03
Hello,
<howdy!>
I like to find out how can you tell a blue face from a six-stripped/banded
angelfish when it's small? Thanks, Alan
<it may be best/most effective to refer you to utilize fishbase.org in such
cases. Great site... ID, feeding, sexing, distribution, etc... be sure to click
on the link for pics:
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=5662&genusname=Pomacanthus&speciesname=xanthometopon
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=6564&genusname=Pomacanthus&speciesname=sexstriatus
Best regards, Anthony>
Searching For Hidden Gold (The Cryptic Golden Pygmy Angelfish)
I purchased a golden pygmy angel (C. aurantius) about 3 weeks ago.
<An awesome, yet tricky fish to keep!>
I have only seen him twice for about 1 second a time. I knew they were cryptic
in nature, but this is far more cryptic than I expected. I'm wondering if I
could possibly put a small (1.5") multicolor angel in with it. It is a 75g FOWLR
tank. I'm wondering if the personality of multicolor angels would allow
for the coexisting of the two species. Thanks!
<Well, I am always concerned about mixing to Centropyge angels together,
particularly in tanks less than 6 feet in length, due to potential territorial
squabbles. However, you are correct in pointing out that these are two angels
with seemingly compatible personalities. Remember, however, that fish-like
people, have distinctly individual personalities, and may not (and this is very
frustrating to us as hobbyists!) conform to our expectations! It is certainly a
calculated risk with some pretty pricey fishes, but it might work. A better
strategy might be to employ some more docile, yet outgoing fishes, such as
gobies, Anthias or maybe even Assessors (well, I guess I couldn't really call
Assessors "outgoing"- but they are relatively easy going) to help
"draw" the Golden out more. The key to success with this species (as
WWM Crew member Ian and I were just chatting and agreeing about this week) is to
get these guys to eat. Unfortunately, this is a tough problem for many hobbyists
(including myself!). The outgoing behavior may come in time...Just provide them
good conditions, make sure that they are eating, and enjoy him when you see him!
Good luck!>
Re: Blanched Koran, non-pulsing Xenia
Bob,
Thanks.
Is Blanching dangerous as the spots seem to come and go when they feel like
it. My only conclusion are the two tangs are giving him a hard time and
often back into him, although he doesn't look too worried.
<Looks can be deceiving. I do think you're on to something here>
I tested my tank last night and my ph was 8.1, ammonia 0, nitrate 0,
nitrates 10, calcium 400, and KH 10. All my corals are doing well, apart
from corals like xenias. All my parameters seem fine but I cannot understand
why only these types of corals seem to shrink. Any explanations as a few
people I know have the same problem and we cannot understand why??
Thanks
Stu
<You don't mention a measure or use of Iodine/ide... do consider
administering and testing for this essential nutrient. Bob Fenner>
Adding a flame angel
>Hi everyone,
>>Good morning, Brian. Marina to help you today.
>I want to thank everyone for all of the help that you have given me in the
past. I have a quick compatibility question. I have a 125
gallon tank with about 70 lbs of live rock with lots of nooks and crannies. The
tank has been running for about 6 months. Water parameters are good,
no problems. Tank inhabitants:
6 inch Volitans lion
6 inch yellow tang
5 inch Picasso trigger
Everyone gets along well, no difficulties. Would I be able to add a
flame angel? I would get a flame that would be about 3-4 inches so he
could not be gobbled by the lionfish. Do you think I would have
a good chance of success?
>>Truthfully, no. I believe that, even if it wouldn't quite fit
now (and that's not to say that the lionfish might not hold a different opinion,
either), eventually the lionfish *will* become large enough to eat the angel. I
am also a bit concerned with the size of the trigger, and possible aggression
there. How about something just as sturdy, but should be easily
acquired with enough size to hold its own, such as a Pomacanthus annularis (Bluering angel)?
>This would be the last fish I would add. ( I promise !)
I think your stocking density is well thought-out here, but I can't tell you
that I think a Flame would do just fine with the lion and trigger. I'm
sorry! Best of luck, whatever route you take. Marina
Angel Unhinged!
Good evening crew,
<Hi there! Scott F. at the keyboard tonight>
I recently purchased a 2.5" juvenile flagfin angelfish (Apolemichthys
trimaculatus), it is currently residing in a 20g quarantine tank for the next
few weeks. From the very first moment I brought it home, it has
readily accepted both Formula Foods: Angel Formula and also Nori....I
took this as a great sign.
<Yes- it is...This fish has a reputation for being a bit tough to keep...The
fact that it is eating is a huge plus!>
Entering its second week now, I have discovered a problem. I first
noticed it this morning when feeding him before I left for work. While
picking at the food, its mouth seemed to get stuck in its extended position. It
swam around a bit and hit at the food again and it popped back in. However,
this evening, I came home and its mouth was stuck out again. This
time, I had to remove it to a bowl and manually massage it and it went back to
normal.
<Good action on your part!>
Do you guys have any idea what could be causing this and/or any sort of advice
as to a long term solution? I don't see removal practical once it
goes into the main tank. Thanks for any clues,
Ryan A.
<Well, Ryan, really tough to say. It's possible that this
"unhinging" event was the result of a trauma of some sort; I've seen
this with certain freshwater fishes before, but not in a marine fish. I guess
the best long-term solution for this problem is to maintain excellent water
conditions, provide good food (possibly of a size that won't require the fish to
extend its mouthparts to a large degree to ingest and chew the food, resulting
in a decreased possibility of this happening again), and careful observation.
Keep an eye on this guy....Good luck! Regards, Scott F>
Sick Emperor Angel
>Hello Mr. Fenner,
>>Good morning, Marina to help you today.
>I have a quick question that no one can seem to answer efficiently. I have
an Emperor Angel fish that I have had for about 9 months now, and it just got
sick about 1 month ago. The symptoms were: Pale body, fins were deteriorating,
wasn't eating too much, breathing rapidly and darting/twitching. I took it out
of the main tank, put it into a quarantine tank and treated it with copper for
about 3 1/2 weeks. I tested the copper at 1.5, which remained consistent
throughout the 3 1/2 weeks. Which brings me to today. I have been watching the
fish a lot and it eats tons of food now, the body looks really nice, but the
only thing that looks fishy (no pun intended) is that it still breaths rapidly
(and seems to cough) like there is something bothering its gills, and
darting/twitching. I have looked closely on its body and don't see any signs of
parasites, however there are some small discolorations on the skin that are a
little bit bigger than the size of freckles (there are about a handful on both
sides of the fish) It is just discoloration (grayish color), it is not bulging,
not fungus looking, not red around it, nor lesions on the body....it just seems
like something is eating away at the skin with the way the fish is
twitching/darting. Do you know what it might have? I was thinking that it might
be gill flukes or something but I don't know.
>>I'm thinking trematodes or something similar, and if I recollect
correctly they're not at ALL affected by copper treatments. You'll
have to use Formalin, and I'll link you to a med guide and hopefully will find
other links for you as well.
>I am confused on what to do now, because CopperSafe kills mostly everything,
but the fish still seems to be in discomfort....What medicine, if any, would be
effective for the symptoms that I listed? I appreciate your help. All in all,
the fish is really healthy, it isn't sluggish or weak, it is rather aggressive
and loves to eat!
>>Be sure to keep him fed and fat, in the meantime...
http://www.petswarehouse.com/Fishmed2.htm
http://www.petswarehouse.com/Fishmed3.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/disease.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dips_baths.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/parasiti.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/martrtmtfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/med.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acclimfa.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/treatmen.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/copperprodfaqs.htm
>>There is SO much to find via Google through the site that I'm leaving it
at this for now. There is much information on utilizing Formalin for
certain parasitic infections, and you'll soon learn that copper isn't the
panacea that some believe it is when dealing with them. Best of luck! Marina
Angel Fish
Hey Crew....what's up!?!
<The price of my employer's stock... Hi DD, PF here tonight.>
I currently have a 140 gal REEF tank with a 50 gallon sump which contains a
refugium. The three main residents are a Asfur Angel (5 in), Clown Tang (3 in),
Queen Angel (3 in)...supporting cast include a percula couple, Potter's angel,
small shoal of green Chromis'. They all get along fine...I mean the aggressive
Queen is too worried about the Asfur, which IMO is the most gentle of all Pomacanthid, on both the corals mainly SPS that litter my tank (I can't recall
seeing the Asfur pick at any corals, not even clam mantles), and smaller fish.
The Asfur only disciplines the queen when she eyes the same pellet of food.
Having read much of the FAQs and descriptions I am aware that my tank is a
little too small for these angels and am currently ordering a new custom made
tank. The dimensions will be 84 x 32 x 24...you think this is large enough? My
idea is to have a 360 view tank with all the plumbing and hardware (overflow) to
be placed in the center of the tank with a surrounding live rock structure .
Most of the tank on each side of the center rock structure will be open to allow
graceful swimming in circles around the structure. Sound acceptable? <Sounds
nice, my big worry would be having to work in the overflow, that could be a big
pain in the posterior.>
Furthermore my sub-adult queen angel does pick at the reef however it doesn't
seem to be eating anything. Its curious nature or anger for lack of food seems
to be the cause of the picking. When I move to the BIG tank and as she grows,
will this behavior become worse? <Possibly, fish are individuals too, and
it's about as easy to predict how they'll turn out as it is with children.
Remember, fish don't read the same books or FAQs we do. : ) >I do
plan to stock the center LR structure with SPS' and other inverts. Will the
Queen out grow the Asfur and seek retribution someday? <From what I've read,
they should be roughly the same size: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/pomacanthus/maculosus.htm
& www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/ angels/holacanthus/ciliaris.htm >
How many large angels could this system sustain comfortably? <Well, due to
territoriality, I'd stick with these two. Remember, in the wild their range
would be dozens of yards, if not hundreds. You might want to look at something
like long nose butterfly's also if you're looking for a similar fish http://www.wetwebmedia.com/forcipig.htm
>
Regards,
DD
<Have a good night, PF>
Half Moon Angelfish
Is the Half Moon the same thing as a "Map Angel". What
other names are
common for this fish? The Half Moon is definitely not the same as an
Asfur
Angelfish, correct?
Thanks for your abundant help! :)
<... time to send you to fishbase.org... You will find the answers to the
above there by searching the members of the genus Pomacanthus. There are MANY
common names for these fishes. Bob Fenner>
Elizabeth K. Birdwell
Rock Beauty Angel - 2/24/03
I was looking through the Angelfish section in your fish FAQ's and I wasn't
able to locate this little guy in their. Obviously he's going under a different
name, that I'm not used to seeing. I have always seen them sold as
"Rock Beauty Angel". Any help you could give on getting his correct
name as per you FISH FAQ's would be appreciated. Thanx Kevin
<no worries Kev... the archives are huge. There is a whole page dedicated to
your fish :)
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/holacanthus/tricolor.htm
a suggestion to help you with any search in the future: go to our home page at www.wetwebmedia.com
and type your subject/phrase in the google search tool at the bottom of the
page. The above link came up as the first hit on a search for me. Kind regards,
Anthony>
Touched By An Angel?
Hi,
<Hi there! Scott F. here tonight!>
I have a 48 gal tank with 45 lbs of live Fiji rock. 3 inch live aragonite sand
bed. ph is 8.4, alk is 11 dKH, spg is 1.023, temp 77, CPR Bak pak, whisper 1
filter, 110 watt 10000 k pc lighting. I am wondering if I can add a 3 inch
passer angel to this system. this fish will only be in here for 10 months then
to be transferred to a 240 gallon fish only setup. I regularly change 10% of the
water every 3 weeks.
<Good, but if you could do smaller, more frequent changes, that would be
better!>
I know this is a small tank for this fish as a full grown adult but given its
size and the setup of live rock and sand I believe this is a healthy setup. BTW
this is the only fish in the tank only other snails in the tank. please advise
if you disagree with my setup. Thank you, Sal
<Well, Sal, I am glad that you intend to move the angel to a much larger tank
within the year. Keep in mind that, even though this fish is currently small, it
still requires a lot of room to "roam" and forage. Additionally, you
need to maintain excellent, stable water conditions and provide a varied diet
for this fish to grow and remain healthy. Normally, we tell people not to even
start these types of large angelfish in anything less than a 75 gallon tank. If
you feel that you can provide all of the above, before AND after he's
transferred to the larger tank- than go for it. Do not keep any other fishes
with him during this time in the small tank. However, do realize that these fish
can grow pretty fast if you provide for their needs well, so you may actually
have to move him sooner than 10 months. With proper care, this fish can live
many years! Good luck! Scott F.>
Blue Linckia, leopard wrasses and angels
Good evening Bob!
<cheers, bub... Anthony Calfo in your service>
Well, I know you've probably heard this a hundred times now.... I bought
something for once without doing any research, a blue Linckia~ I was at a
wholesalers and it was $5 and I've always wanted one.
<impulse and cheap price... a recipe for death>
Don't shoot me!
<oops...sorry. I jumped the gun on the harassment>
As soon as I put it in the tank it promptly disappeared into the woodwork,
"Great! I just bought a lovely blue star that I'll never see!" hehe.
<or worse... it will starve, dwindle and die back in the rockwork and wipe
out the while tank when you go on vacation. Have a nice Holiday! <G>>
He's being more social nowadays and hanging around the clams. (Been in the tank
about 2 weeks now) I read the FAQs and he's relatively healthy, he was kind of a
grey/blue when I bought him, but he's not "cob webbing" or anything.
Ok, my question is do they have any food requirements other than detritus and
micro creatures?
<wow... these starfish like most sea stars need a lot of food. If you do
not/cannot target feed them weekly if not daily, then they need very large
aquariums (over 100 gallons) and very mature displays (well over 1 year old with
a lot of live rock). Else they will slowly starve over a period of months like
most. Surely not to live beyond one year, I am truly sorry to say>
Currently he's in one of the most beautiful/healthy 58gal tanks in Miami that
has been established for over 5 years. ;] It has a 3"+ fine sand bed, tons
of little benthic critters, etc.
<awesome... the maturity of the tank is a tremendous help. Still...
spatially... it is a bit small in surface area to sustain this deposit feeder.
Especially if you have any blennies, gobies, tangs, etc that graze the rock
competitively>
Other than fish food (Spirulina flakes and pellets) I feed the tank Dt's
concentrated plankton every other night, which the brittle stars seem to love.
Also, are Linckias nocturnal?
<yes>
It doesn't seem to move around during the day at all, like the brittle stars. Is
it normal for Linckias to stay in the same position for a day and a half or
more?
<common for imported ones...duress>
Do they feed on diatoms that accumulate on the glass as well as feeding on stuff
in the sand?
<not only diatom algae per se>
His suckers seem to be in good shape, nothing looks irregular.
<good to hear... a good sign>
Just they move really slowly, so a person tends to worry.
<understood>
And he doesn't seem to get all excited like the brittle stars when I add
plankton. ;]
<true... he is a strict detritivore... no suspension feeding at all>
On another note, (thanks for reading all this, I have a special skill at
rambling!) would a leopard wrasse and a yellow coris wrasse be compatible?
<likely not... and you truly must avoid putting a leopard wrasse in a tank
this small. They are categorically very difficult to sustain for more than a
year or two. Best success is in huge aquaria (over 200 gall) with few other
fishes>
And would they be compatible with a bicolor blenny?
<stick with the yellow coris and you will likely be fine... although there is
always a chance of territorial aggression from the blenny>
(My bi-color is currently in my 10gal nano, where he is king, I can't wait to
see his expression when I put him in the 58g that I'll be moving to once my
boyfriend has the 75g setup, heehee Two reefers living under the same roof is a
dangerous combination. ;]). Also, are Rusty Angels reef safe, hardy, okay for
keeping w/ above mentioned fish?
<now that's a hardy choice :) Seriously... a fine angel. Reasonably hardy and
easy to feed... tends to be long-lived in captivity. As far as reef safe...
eh... as reef safe as dwarf angels get (nibbler)>
If so, should I keep a pair or single? Okay, that's it I swear!!
<oh... you are headed for a smack <G>. You do recall that you have a 58
gallon aquarium, don't you :) >
Oh, can you sex bicolors?
<is this a trick question... Ok, I'll bite: yes... the male is the one
wearing the smoking jacket and the female wears a silk Kimono>
The males are so pretty during mating time.
<OK>
Thanks so much for everything, I think you guys are awesome and I hope to know
as much as you do someday. Sweet dreams~ Morgan Moore
<ha! Thank you for putting up with the wise guy in your luck if the draw.
Best regards, my friend>
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