SICK FISH EMERGENCY... Passer Angel mistreatment   4/26/08
Hi,
<Tim>
I need some urgent help here and seek your advice. I have a passer angel who has suffered some poor water quality conditions, namely enduring a tank cycle and subject to elevated nitrite levels after dealing with the prerequisite ammonia battles.
<Why?>
The tank now appears to be cycled and water quality is good on all tests. The problem he is facing now appears to be an infection of some sort with visible sores, lots of mucus on the outside, and rapid gilling. He looks like he's on the verge of death. I am trying to think of what to do for him.
I am thinking of doing some type of medicated freshwater dip, but not sure what to go with. I have Methylene blue on hand but I'm thinking he needs something more. Is there something I should do to treat this as a bacterial infection?
<Perhaps a Furan compound...>
Is there a stronger medication I should try with dipping him?
<... insufficient data...>
What remedies would you suggestion for the triage and longer if he makes it?
Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
Tim
<This species of Holacanthus really suffers from being overly-stressed... It may well be too late for this specimen. I'd be reading here: http://wetwebmedia.com/fishindex3.htm
the first tray... on Marine Angels... Bob Fenner>

Adult passer angelfish, shipping trauma. 12/15/2007
<Very common... specimens more than about 4" total length don't "ship well">
I recently received a large adult passer angelfish from a mail order fish store which shall remain nameless since they have been nice about this. The fish arrived in terrible condition, dazed and confused and in ~65 degree water that was loaded with waste.
I've had it in my 175 gallon tank for a day now and not surprisingly it won't eat and it is very sluggish though mobile, taking laps around the tank occasionally.
<The last behavior leads me to have hope...>
I wonder if any of you know what types of stress tropical marine fish can take and what the prognosis for such a fish is and what I can do to maximize chances of keeping it alive and even better acting like the bold, curious fish it is supposed to be. It really is very sad seeing such a beautiful fish like this fall apart.
Thanks, Omar.
<I'd keep the lights off to low... if you have to for other livestock... and not be overly concerned if the fish doesn't feed, do much of anything for a few days. Again, the swimming about behavior is a good sign. Bob Fenner, who did collect this and other "key" (i.e. expensive) species al sur off and on for decades.>

Re: Adult passer angelfish, shipping trauma.  12/19/07
Hi Bob and crew.
The Passer has not visibly gotten parasites or anything out of the ordinary since I last emailed you but it is still not eating and has gotten very sluggish, lying on its side much of the time until today.
<... I would notify the shipper... These symptoms are case-perfect for a specimen that has been chilled... Happens... quite often... in hauling, live-shipping "up the line" from its E. Pacific subtropical distribution...>
I tried blowing Cyclop-Eeze at its mouth last night and I don't know if it was only coughing or eating but today it was more alert and even elevating itself off the bottom. I know you aren't here to see this fish but I'll ask anyway. Is this just a last burst of energy before dying or did inhaling the Cyclop-Eeze actually help it? I've given it Cyclop-Eeze several times today and after just about giving up on the fish I'm once again hopeful it may live. Its eyes are still presenting as very alert and actively scan and follow motion. It is just the fact this guy won't eat I think that is getting him down. Any suggestions beyond what I have done would be helpful.
<There is naught to do really... Either this fish's protein-enzyme systems have been overly challenged and it will perish... or rally. Keep the system, specimen stable... and hope. BobF>

Live Sand Storage and Passer Angel... sel., dis.   8/3/07
Hi Crew,
I just set up a 125 a few weeks ago for a Passer Angel I bought that is 10 inches.
<Needs a world of more than twice this size... and large angels (for the species) are indeed not often good-adaptors to captive conditions... Best to start with a "medium size"...>
I first saw him when I went to look for a Marine Betta that he was housed with and he bit off the Bettas tail right before I bought him. I still bought the Betta and his tail grew back plus the clerk cut 10.00 bucks off the price. He will not be having a rematch since they will be in separate tanks. I have the Passer in a QT tank of 50 gallons and he came down with velvet?
<...>
The pet store held him for a month for me and I bring him home and he gets velvet in a week?
<Maybe... where is the parasite coming from?>
This has happened in the past with all Angels I have bought? None of the other fish ever get it?
<???>
Yesterday I freshwater dipped him and today it was coming back and freshwater dipped him again and put him in another QT tank or hospital tank for his 15 day copper treatment. 125 should be done cycling by then. He looks healed after the freshwater dip and Im shocked how fast it comes back. In my QT tank I understand the copper will
kill my bio filtration. How much of a water change should I do to keep water decent and how often?
<As much as necessary. See WWM re>
Also would I be better off using cycled water or premixed water for the water change?
<The former... if you can be assured that it is parasite-free>
One last question and Im sorry for be long winded. I bought a used 90 gallon just for the filtration because it was to good to pass up. The live sand I don't need right now and was wondering how I should store it?
<Yes... but not as such. That is, it won't be very live with time going by in storage... and will need good rinsing, perhaps bleaching and dechlorinating ahead of future use>
I see it in bags in stores but not sure if that's the right way. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I thank all you guys for making this complicated hobby make since! Rick
<A bit of a definition difference. There are sand products that tout being "live"... but this is a bit of a misnomer... They may be primed for bacterial population growth, but definitely lack higher phyla presence. Bob Fenner>

Passer angel compatibility  7/20/07
Hello to Bob and crew,
I have a Passer Angel on reserve for me at the local fish store, and I have a few questions about compatibility. First the tank is 125G long (6') with a wet/dry filter with UV and protein skimmer as well as 80lbs of live rock in the tank. Yes, I am expecting to upgrade in a year or so. Although I think I would be fine with the wet/dry, I have started the project of turning the wet/dry into a sump/fuge and should have that done shortly. The tank has been up for about six months and currently holds a Foxface Lo, Longfin Goby, and cleanup crew. On to the fish list; the Passer is 4-5" and has been at the LFS for more then two months. It has survived Popeye from its initial shipment into the store and the stores system going through an ich outbreak and subsequent copper treatment. The Passer is eating well and quite personable. I swear the other day when I went to look at him he came up to the front of the tank to say hello. After getting the Passer
acclimated to his new home, I would like to add a trigger and a tang. Would I be ok adding a Hawaiian Black Trigger in a few months and then a tang, looking at red sea sailfin, powder brown, or yellow, a few weeks to month after that? Thanks for your help and I appreciate all the knowledge I have already learned off your website.
James from TN
>>>Greetings James, Jim here.
Passers are very aggressive fish, and should almost always be added to the tank last, even when we consider that you're going to add a trigger (which normally should be the last fish added).
Best Regards
Jim<<<

Holo-Holo Tax Question 6/10/07
Hi Bob (and crew,) hope all is well with you. I have a taxonomic question regarding the Holo-Holo or Bandit Angel. As far as I can tell you are the only source that places this beauty in Holacanthus (Fenner 2007). The most recent genetic study that I'm aware of confirmed that it should be listed in Apolemichthys (Allen and others 1998). FishBase also lists A arcuatus as valid (FishBase 2007), which you mentioned. And other sites report the same as well as specifically listing H arcuatus as "invalid" (ITIS 2007). My question is... What supports your belief that the Holo-Holo belongs in Holacanthus? I am by no means a biologist, (just a curious hobbyist,) so please don't think that I, personally, am challenging your conclusion. Thanks for your time, and as always, thank you and the WWM crew for your dedication to the enrichment of aquatic hobbies.
-Tyler
<Mmm, really just dragging my feet here... as the older pet-fish literature lists this species in the genus... A matter of trying to help folks find it here. Bob Fenner>
Non-WWM Citations:
Allen GR, Steene R, Allen M. 1998. A Guide To Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Perth (WA): Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. 31 p.
Frische J. 1999. Marine Angelfishes. Neptune (NJ): TFH Publications. 36 p.
[ITIS] Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 2007 May. ITIS home page. <http://www.itis.gov>. Accessed 2007 Jun 4
Froese R. Froese D. Pauly. Editors. FishBase. 2007 Apr. FishBase home page. <http://www.fishbase.org> Accessed 2007 Jun 4

Passer Angel... along with an overcrowded mis-mix already in an inadequate system   6/9/07
Ok, Bob (and crew), you're gonna kill me.... (if you could get to me... and could get away with it, I suppose...)
I wrote you about large angels. You dissuaded me strongly. I stopped by the local Petco store after getting my hair cut today (an unnecessary detail....) and they had received by accident a large Passer Angel. I bought it.
<...>
Ok, lemme tell you why. You know I've got an 80gal. The missus and I, next weekend, are finding that bigger tank. But here's the real deal... the Petco had the guy in a 55 gallon.... this dude is 6" long. You know, I would not have bought this fish, but a) he was $72.00, b) he was eating well and looked healthy, and mainly c) he had no chance at a Petco in a 55 gallon tank with 15 assorted tangs and a few triggers and the mother of all ich magnets, the powder blue tang.
I AM about to go read all I can about the Passer, and we're getting the big tank next weekend... (as I said, I'm going to see the wild ones in Cozumel this week...), but if there's any thoughts on a Passer that you think would be helpful, share them. Gotta go now, I need to go read.
Thanks!
<Please... don't write (we have tens of thousands of users per day), READ, contemplate, think/reason.... Bob Fenner>

Mixing Big Angels - 02/11/2007
Hi, Crew
<Hi Mark, AJ with you tonight.>
Thanks again for such a great site.
<Welcome.>
I have a slight dilemma about angelfish compatibility.
<Okay.>
I have a 125 gallon aquarium with a couple of black and white percula clowns (juvenile) and a 2 inch blue angel. I also have a 4 inch passer angel in a 75 gallon aquarium. Sadly, I feel that I will have to choose between them eventually as the 75 gallon
<Understood.>
cannot house the passer much longer and I am reluctant to mix such similar species.
<I would be as well.>
Is compatibility between these two angel fish totally out of the question
<In this size tank the latter, even in large, public tanks 1000 gals+ it is rare that two angels of such common lineage and size can co-exist peacefully.>
because of the similarity or do you feel it is possible to mix these two angel fish?
<No, see above.>
Also, If I can not co-habituate these two species would a small French Angel get along with one or the other of them better?
<No I don't believe so, 125 gallons is in my opinion not enough for these animals at their potential size...let alone two together...not to mention aggression.>
(for the 125 gallon eventually) Thanks again!
<Anytime.>
Best regards, Mark
<To you as well AJ.>

Passer Angel question and more   1/3/07
Hi guys,
<W and K>
I have a strange question about my Passer Angel.  He has a very strange habit that is also very cute, but I want to make sure it?s not harming him.
He likes to be scratched.  I have a tooth brush attached to a very flexible feed stick.  When I put this in the tank he comes running!  He?ll let me scratch him on one side and then turn around for me to do the other side.  I get tired of it before he does!  I know I?m not scratching him hard because of the flexibility of the feed stick, but wanted to make sure I?m not doing any harm; perhaps to his slime coat?????This is the funniest thing to watch!
What do you think?
<I do think this is a pleasurable activity for both of you... As you're likely aware, there are quite a few "cleaner" organisms... that really pick and pull with some strength... in the wild>
Also, I sent in a question that I didn?t get a response to, and was wondering if it got lost in email heaven?
<We can only hope... but, yes, we're having some missing mails now!>
  I?m including the text of that message as well.  This is a great site and I thank all of you for all the help you provide!!!!  I?ll tell on myself here.  I did find a couple of misspelled words and have done my best to correct them.  Spell check only works if you don?t spell bad enough to make it another word!!!  Happy New Year!
<Heeeeee! Thank you, Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Kathy

Queen Angel Hybridization... happens     7/29/06
Hi Bob. I'm at it again trying to get an ID of a fish I picked up. A pic will follow in the upcoming week, but for now a little background.
First off, the fish is definitely some sort of Holacanthus. It is a bright yellow overall, with some blue and black markings on the head, caudal fin, dorsal fin, and chin. The tail is yellow and white. The back half of the fish is a duskier yellow, not dislike the pattern of a Clarion. The fish has been in captivity in a customer's tank for several years, and had been traded in to a LFS due to a move. I've looked through Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes by Scott Michael, and I've found a few pictures that make sense.
Page 290, Bottom Left of a Clarion - the headband is almost exact. Now what gets me is the color, and the crescent shaped fins. The other photo that I see resemblance to is on page 286, bottom left of a Hybrid Blue x Queen.
I've talked to a few associates in the trade, and I've gotten a bunch of mixed responses, ranging from a Townsend to a Hybrid Queen x Rock Beauty.
In any case, the fish eats like a champ and has a fantastic personality. I just wish I could figure out what it is. As always your input is greatly valued,
Best Regards,
Joe Russo
p.s. I've gotta get some pics to you of my A. arcuatus. It eats from my hand, and not my corals either :) Now if I could just find a Golden Hawk I'd be set.
<Looking forward to the pix. Bob Fenner>

Passer and SPS  - 04/22/2006
Hello, I have fairly recently set up a 225 gallon reef tank.  I have about 40 or so coral in there right now that I have been adding over the last month or so.
<Wowzah... a bunch of acquisitions!>
  The tank is 5 months old.  Everything was doing great, the SPS were growing, the zoos were spreading and everyone seemed like they were doing well.  And I am guessing that I screwed that up.  I went to the LFS
last weekend and saw a gorgeous Passer angel, about 2.5 inches.  I debated a
long time with my friend who works there about getting it.  We discussed how
all my LPS may get eaten and how he will likely be the dominant fish in the tank.  
<Mmm, perhaps some...>
And as those didn't seem like big concerns I ended up getting him, and
have noticed that all of my SPS are retracted all the time.
<... not from this fish>
  It started with
my Millepora
<Fire coral... a hydrozoan... can be trouble...>
first but now it seems as if all of them are unhappy. My first thought was water quality but I checked everything and it was great.  The
funny thing is that my zoos are doing great, I don't think the passer has touched them one bit.  They were the ones that I could afford to lose
because I have frags of all of them in a 12 gallon tank.  But that is not the case with my SPS.  I have seen the passer nip at 2 of them, although it doesn't seem to do any visual damage.  I am wondering if he is just systematically testing them and will leave them alone after seeing that they are not edible. (they don't eat SPS right?)
<Not generally... and less in larger systems...>
I am almost positive that the passer is the problem because it began the day after I put him in and
nothing else in the tank has varied.  Plus all the other inhabitants seem happy.  What is your opinion?  What should I do?
<... Slow down on the introduction of all the Cnidarian life... and read on WWM re these species Systems, Compatibility... likely spiff up skimming and increase use of chemical filtrants...>
Thank you,
Mike
<Bob Fenner>

Angel, passer sexing    4/14/06
Dear Bob
<Alan>
I am a marine aquarist of some 30 years, living in South Africa.
<Greetings to you>
I purchased a Holacanthus passer six months ago,
<Wow... a long way from its TEP "home">
and have just purchased a 180 gallon aquarium for the fish, which is currently growing up in a 63 gallon. The passer is approximately 11 cm in length and has slowly begun to
change to adult colouration.
<Gorgeous>
The fish has yellow pelvic fins, and I would be really keen to know its sex. Half of the literature I read says that males have white pelvic fins, and the other half indicates that females have white. Which is correct?
<You know... I don't think/believe either is. Have seen this fish in S. Baja, along Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Galapagos (in huge numbers), collected it commercially in the Islas Revillagigedos... and there did not appear to be a consistent sexually dichromic pattern>
I would dearly like to attempt to house a pair in the 180 gallon.
<Mmm, this is really too small a system for this... Perhaps a 300 plus... or just having an "adult" and another much small sub-adult specimen>
Many thanks in advance.
My best
Alan Jardine
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Re: passer sexing, Holacanthus beh.  - 04/19/06
Dear Bob
<Alan>
Many thanks for your comments and speedy reply. Much appreciated.
<Welcome>
I am still a little perplexed as to why certain individual passers have
white ventral/pelvic fins, while other have yellow ventral/pelvic fins.
<Have pondered this myself...>
Would this then just be an individual or locality difference?
<More of the latter in my experience. Specimens further South seem to have more yellow "on average" by far... can send/show you pix of aggregations in the Galapagos with all yellow pecs... but there are populations/times when they're quite yellowish further to the northern limits of this Holacanthus species range... and no real whitish and yellowish individuals mixed in either>
Apologies for
being painful, but being stuck out at the tip of Africa, we do not get to
see many of these species. If it were possible to sex, I could source a 300
gallon as per your recommendations. Would need to be sure that I was
obtaining a passer of the opposite sex though before purchasing, as these
guys are costing close to a months salary.
<Mmm, having collected several hundred "pieces" (term in the industry for individuals), and having a liking for the species, knowing a bit re others (part. H. tricolor) reproduction ala Thresher et al., am given to ask what your interest is in attempting to house a male and female together. This species has a large lek territory... with males "flitting about" over even larger territories... much larger than aquariums. There are likely very few actual males as a ratio... Bob Fenner>
Many thanks again
My best
Alan Jardine

Re: passer sexing, life, pet-fish   4/21/06
Dear Bob
<Alan>
Many thanks for your reply.
<Welcome>
As mentioned, I have been in the hobby for over 30 years and have spent almost 30 years of my working career in the zoo field (holding various
posts, including Chief Conservation Officer at South Africa's National Zoological Gardens, and currently, the position of Chief Executive Officer
of the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) - the organization that in the year 2000 used 12 000 people to
wash and rehabilitate over 20 000 African penguins after the devastating "MV Treasure" oil spill off the coast of South Africa).
<Outstanding>
I imagine that my career in conservation has impacted on my involvement in the marine hobby, and to this end, I have put a fair amount of time in some
20 odd years ago to pioneer larval rearing techniques in Amphiprion species (pioneering as far as the hobby in SA goes, ...... I realize that folk in
America were far ahead of me, but I had limited means of sourcing contacts in your country in those days).
I have subsequently had the great pleasure to visit your country many times and attend various MACNA and AZA (American
Zoo and Aquarium Association) conferences ..... and have visited around 20 wonderful Zoos and public Aquariums across America. We have a single
National Zoo in South Africa, so I was / am tickled that you have more than one National Aquarium. I visited the super National Aquarium in Baltimore
(during MACNA) and on another trip was amazed to be taken to the National Aquarium at the Smithsonian in Washington DC (below the commerce ?? building
I think).
<Oh yes... I visited this derelict and the just-new Baltimore Aquarium as part of the AVMA (Aquatic Veterinary Medical Assoc. meeting/conf. at its opening in 1983>
I am one of only two South Africans who have had books on the hobby published. My book, title "The Marine Aquarium" was published in 1997 by Struik.
<Will have to look for>
I have been fascinated by the clown trigger for many years, .... have kept 42 individual specimens (not all at once)
<Wow! I had thought to do a series monograph on Tetraodontiforms... other "worthless plectognath fishes"... as my doctoral thesis... and "stuffed shirt" ticket... ala Michael Novacek... to the USNM>
and have tried to pair different individuals together. I can not prove it, but believe that one can sex clown triggers using skull profile.
<I do think this is possible/probable>
I have seen "nest construction" repeatedly in my different tanks over the years and believe that there may have been egg laying at least once from one of my pairs ???. One of the triggers remained over the deep depression it had excavated in the substrate and was particularly aggressive, as was its mate???
<Have been chased and bitten by Titans and Queens...>
, rushing at the glass with lots of head shaking (the mate). Not usual behaviour at all for either of these two fish. Not keen to interfere or stress the two fish, I resisted trying to
look for eggs, and two days later the fishes behaviour was back to normal, and no eggs were in the nest. Not sure if there ever were, or if they were
eaten (seems hard to believe as the pair were so protective, and were not disturbed). All wonderful mysteries that need more time to look into.
So, on to the passer. I have always tried to house marines in the largest possible aquarium and  normally house a single specimen with one or two
cleaner wrasse and or cleaner shrimp. .....Try to be conscious of territoriality and not crowding fish, so I sacrifice keeping a community tank for the most part. I have only seen one other living passer, and that was in a display tank in the commercial hall associated with the AZA Conference at Disney World in Florida, some years ago.
<Was there a few months back... the place, animals were in bad shape unfortunately>
I was fascinated by the fish, and thrilled when I saw one on sale in South Africa last year. I figured that it would make for a more normal housing situation for the fish if I housed a pair together in the 300 gallon you suggested, with two new world cleaner wrasse (also need to be sourced). However after your latest mail, if the fish forms
aggregations, my thought of a pair may not be worth much.
<Holacanthus are not easy to "spawn"... some work has been done with the genus and hormonal manipulation/injection>
I would be MOST appreciative to receive any pictures of the passer, and  / or any additional information, particularly regarding captive husbandry.
Thank you so very much for your time Bob.
My best
Alan
<I have many... will post some separate from this transmission, but today (on another machines hard drives). Cheers. Bob Fenner>

Re: Some Passer pix!
Hi Bob
Wow, some amazing pictures,  ..... imagine that they were taken by you.
Really great. Thank you Bob.
<Heeee! Thank you Alan... many more where these came from... spent some two years of my life en toto dive-traveling in and about Baja California... and worked for rich folks years back who had ships that plied the waters of the Islas Revillagigedos... including collecting there years back... and of course have seen the species along its TEP range... the mass aggregations with the suffix GAL are taken in the Galapagos>
I figure that I have already asked a lot, and you have been very generous with your time, but if you ever have a chance to pass on any husbandry practices for the passer, or web sites, I would be most grateful.
<You're familiar with Ron Thresher's tome on reef fish reproduction? I do think Robert P.L. Straughan had some recorded observations (likely for congeneric TWA (trop. West Atlantic) congeners... Would have to at least look at notes if not make a run to a/the college library to use their computer bibliographic services to say more (am away at a hobby conference presently)>
Enjoy the weekend
My best
Alan
<Am doing so. Thank you my friend. Bob Fenner>

Passer, life ongoing.... general and Angel feeding FAQs  - 4/24/2006
Hi Bob
<Alan>
Wow again, sounds like you have lived the life I would give a great deal to have experienced.
<... It's not over yet my friend...>
For whatever reason, I have never had / made the opportunity to be involved with the sea outside the marine hobby. ......
became involved in the zoo world and have not seemed to shake it.
<"Zoa" from the Greek, "animal"... including lower invertebrates... non-verts>
Had some interesting experiences though, having had my back badly torn open by an adult male gorilla (they can be amazingly gentle and quite retiring, but
have the capacity to be incredibly dangerous, with their substantial canine teeth used for battle and to tear bark from trees etc), and having survived
an attack by a 18 year old African elephant bull.
<Yeeikes, and folks have asked me if I fear sharks>
Well back to marines. I am aware of Ron Thresher's work (have a / the book of his on reef fish reproduction) and a copy of one of Robert Straughan's
books somewhere on keeping marines (published in the late 1960's or even 1950's I think),
<Yes... and amazing that we should share these>
but am not aware of his recorded observations on reproduction.
<Mmm, well, this may well be a function, or lack thereof, of my "memory">
Many thanks for the offer to look at your college library Bob, but I truly never meant for you to go out of your way, I just hoped that if
you had any internet sited, that you could pass then on.
<I do make regular sojourns to use their (expensive) computer tools... A blessing to/for the public in much of the U.S.... and largely subsidized by them>
My wife and I purchased a home in Cape Town this weekend (moving from the suburbs),
<Ah, congratulations>
and believe all the paperwork will be through by mid July, so I will put up the 180 gallon tank I mentioned (still in a crate at the moment)
and move the passer into it for the first time when we move. Most of what I have read, indicates that the passer as a species is pretty outgoing in the
aquarium and fairly belligerent, but my specimen is very shy, even after many months in the tank.
<This will change abruptly with age/size (about past ten cm. overall length). Not an outright agonistic species, they are nonetheless the alpha
animal of most of their habitats>
Although the tank it is in is small (63 gallons), I believe that I have managed to create a good balance between rock work
(caves, ledges etc) and open swimming space. There are no children or pets rushing about to panic the fish either. When the passer arrived, I put added
an old breeding pair of common clowns (approximately 16 years old) in its tank so that there would be some relaxed fish to calm the passer down (not
from the geographical area I realize, but hoped that their really relaxed attitude would be a plus). Figure I will try to replace the clowns with a
royal Gramma or two in the 180 gallon tank. Part of the passers diet is pellets, which I drop through a clear plastic pipe to prevent current
whipping them away. The passer has been conditioned to come a one corner when I tap on the glass, and watches the pellets fall down the pipe, and
takes them as they leave the pipe.
<A good technique... will add to our general and Angel feeding FAQs>
Of interest though, if I am wearing anything dark blue, the fish, which spends more time under ledges that
swimming in the open, is less keen to come and feed. If I remove the shirt or jacket, the fish will immediately arrive to feed.
<Interesting>
The passer has been turning blue for a while, so all I can figure is that I represent a huge potential rival passer if I am wearing dark blue........ there could be
other explanations, but I can not think of any. The fish may just be hell of a spoilt though and over pampered.
Enjoy the week.
Best
Alan
<Have done so. Cheers, my friend. Bob Fenner>

Marine Angels: (Holacanthus bermudensis) 10/11/05
Bob and the Crew,
<Adam J with you tonight.>
Thank you so much for this awesome site...I have come across this site a few months ago and I have enjoyed reading all the posts here tremendously...(not to mention learning new things every day). Thanks!
<And thank you for the kind words, I will share them with rest of the crew.>
Today I have a question and I hope you guys can help me with... I have a 29g Fish only tank running for 6 months, fully cycled with
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5 ppm
Ph 8.3 and stable
Currently I have one tomato clown and everything went well...Recently I bought a juvenile Blue Angel fish (1" size).
<Small sizes like this rarely adapt to captivity (most perish in shipping and acclimation). Best to purchase specimens around 3”. I am also glad to see this tank is temporary.>
Since I am planning to upgrade to 125g tank
<180-gallons would be better for the adult size of the angel.>
in 6 months time and I love raising this beautiful fish, I decide to go ahead trying out this plan.
Upon bringing him home, I then had this Angel quarantined for three weeks and he was very lively, eating and playing actively... 
< A good sign.> 
The only unusual thing was that I notice his swimming was erratic occasionally (like charging or bolting forward unexpectedly). I checked all water parameters carefully (including electrical grounding) and everything was normal and I
thought it could be due to his shyness (when he saw shadows etc...).
<In the wild, juveniles of this size rarely venture out into open water, they are usually hiding amongst the shadows and rock, be sure to have lots of hiding spaces. Intense lighting can also spook them. Subdued lighting would be best to “comfort” him.>
Today I take him to the display tank where the tomato clown is and I notice his behaviour did not change. He is hanging around with the clown (they are both the same size) and the clown does not bother him at all... 
However he is still occasionally bolting/charging forward which is now staring to stress the clown as he may be startled and probably thinking the Angel starts attacking him... His erratic behaviour looks very unsettling and I am not sure what is wrong with him...The clown behaves normally as always, but a bit stressed out if anything.
Please help...
<Sounds like he is insecure of his surroundings. Make sure there are plenty of caves in which he can hide himself. Furthermore even at this size I suspect the confines of 29 gallons is getting to him, Angels love room to roam.>
I have a short movie clip as well of his behaviour, if this helps...
Thanks much, Rob
<Read here for more info: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/holacanthus/, Adam J.> 

Holocanthus passer disease = Shipping/Temperature Stress
Thank you in advance for your assistance. I purchased my king angelfishes from Costa Rica about a week now, they started sloughing on the second day. I did quarantine them for 4 days but decided to transfer them when 'sloughing' began to worsen. Treated with tetracycline & copper sulphate....when more died I tried Praziquantel about 1.5ppm for another 3 days; still no improvement; in fact more died. Now my other angelfishes is affected as well. Please advise. Tony yen
<This sounds very much like "shipping stress", particularly the mal-affects of chilling. We used to collect and ship via air or boat this species... and if they were too long in getting to where they were going or the temperature dropped on them, they would invariably "break down"... as yours are. I would not add more medicine chemicals to their water, but would lower the specific gravity to about 1.018 and add a teaspoon of Epsom per ten gallons of water... and hope that some self-recover. Bob Fenner>

Robbed by the bandit (angel)
Hi Bob, I have acquired a black banded angel from a fellow fish fancier. He
has given me the angel in hopes of ME being able to keep it alive.
<A real challenge>
The fish is
about 3 month's in captivity and has now stopped eating regularly.
<Typical... actually, not so... this one has lasted much longer than most all>
I have had
my best friend build me an acrylic tank (155 gal) to house this treasure that
should have been left in the ocean. I am going to put 175 pounds of Fiji
premium live rock in with a mixed sand/crushed Puka substrate. I have designed a
filter and it should be completed Thursday.  The angel will be housed only with a
cleaner wrasse, and 5 cleaner shrimp. I am going to put a Beckett style
skimmer and lightly ozonized in the column. I have access to all the local wholesale
houses and have asked for their help in acquiring sponges, clams, small
shrimp, mussels and a cleaner wrasse (just in case). My question for you is, in your
vast knowledge can I get this beauty to eat again. I have tried your tried and
true method of the "FENNER BLEND" to no luck this far. Any suggestion would
be appreciated. I know leave the damn fish in the ocean where it belongs!!!
Thanks
<May seem strange, but do look into the larger pellet sizes of Pablo Tepoot's "Spectrum" fish food... have been friends with Pablo for years, and this past weekend made it down to visit him at his farms in Homestead (FLA) and see firsthand the types of fishes he is keeping solely on this food... including Parrotfishes, some finicky Butterflyfishes and Tangs... even some very nice Apolemichthys spp. angels... Training this fish onto this basic food might "do the trick". Otherwise your plan for the set-up, providing sessile invertebrates to graze on sounds good. Bob Fenner>

Looking for Passer angels
I have started a new business and are trying to find a good wholesaler in Mexico that could give me a good price on passer angels could you help me
<for their nearby collection to you in the Sea of Cortez you should be able to find someone in Mexico to ship these to you. I know of none... perhaps Bob does. Else, inquire at these US places-
http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/home.html
http://www.themarinecenter.com/
kind regards, Anthony>

Blue Angel
David,
Thanks for your reply. I have taken the wrasse & Dottyback out &
back to the store, which leaves me with the blue angel & damsel & 60 lbs. of LR.
<Okay>
I agree this tank will be too small,( two stores said it could take 2 - 3 years before I would need a larger system - good sales pitch) If I notice problem's I WILL take action. He eats very well, I did throw some algae plants which he seems to enjoy as well as the usual Nori strip.
<He needs the macro algae and sponge>
He almost seem to want to eat from my hand when I put the algae in, a very curious fish, Swims all day so hopefully that is a good sign to come. I will continue to feed the sponge formula along with others each day( 2 - 3 x ). My only questions are do these fish enjoy a strong current which I believe I have ( cycles 9 times an hour with an additional head near the bottom in back ) ?
<I would not consider your current strong. Angels, like most marines, like a brisk current. Your turnover at 9 times an hour is adequate>
I have purchased Vita-chem to use instead of garlic, as you
mentioned, what is your take on this product?  
<Sounds okay. I would rotate these vitamins also. Maybe when the Vita-chem runs out you can try some Selcon>
I will do my best to maintain the water quality ( 10 gal. wk. ) & give proper nutrition & keep your last reply handy !
<Glad to be of assistance. The less crowded this fish is the more it will feel that it has open space. This fish, of course, is a showcase fish and will look gorgeous even if it is the only one in the tank! David Dowless>

Re: Blue Angel info.
David,
Thanks for your reply. I have taken the wrasse & Dottyback out &
back to the store, which leaves me with the blue angel & damsel & 60 lbs. of LR. I agree this tank will be to small,( two stores said it could take 2 - 3 years before I would need a larger system - good sales pitch)
<Remember...These guys are selling fish and equipment...I ain't>
If I notice problem's I WILL take action. He eats very well, I did throw some algae plants which he seems to enjoy as well as the usual Nori strip. He almost seem to want to eat from my hand when I put the algae in, a very curious fish, Swims all day so hopefully that is a good sign to come. I will continue to feed the sponge formula along with others each day( 2 - 3 x ). My only questions are do these fish enjoy a strong current which I believe I
have (cycles 9 times an hour with an additional head near the bottom in back)?
<Angels, like most all marines, like a brisk current. Your current should be adequate but it would not be considered a strong current by any means>
I have purchased Vita-chem to use instead of garlic, as you
mentioned, what is your take on this product?  
<It will work. I suggest rotating the vitamins also. After you finish the Vita-chem try some Selcon or other vitamin supplement>
I will do my best to maintain the water quality ( 10 gal. wk. ) & give proper nutrition & keep your last reply handy !
<Sounds like a winner! Even if the angel is the only fish in your tank, it will be show-stopping beautiful! David Dowless>

Blue Angel info.
Hi,
Thank you for reviewing my question. I have acquired a 3.5- 4" blue angel to go into my 80 gal along with a 2.5" lunare wrasse, yellow tail blue damsel & orchid dotty back. I plan on no further purchases unless I take out the wrasse. Would a purple tang be fine if the wrasse was gone?
<These fish are aggressive and your tank isn't very large. It's very risky. With the above combination that you describe, absolutely not>
I was told this angel is a hardy fish, ( is this true?)
<Hardy as far as angels go. The problem is this baby grows to 15 inches and is a free ranging fish...needs lots of space to swim. Your tank is already too small!>
I can't seem to fine much info on the Holacanthus bermudensis.. know of any links to get info?
<Wetwebmedia.com>
What is the key to maintaining this fish till he grows too large,
<Large swimming space, perfect water quality, and proper diet of sponge and algae>
which I believe will happen. at what length should I turn him in?    
<Large or small...this fish needs lots of room to swim. Would you put a 2' long dog in a 4' long fence?...and expect it to live long and prosper?>
I do have frozen angel food with sponges etc. in it & use Mysis shrimp & krill currently .
<Needs lots of algae and sponge>
I also use ecosystem garlic with most of my mixtures - is this ok, and recommend?
<Yes but I personally only use garlic when I see a problem in my tank>
Do I need a daily dose of Nori as well
<Yep>
Should I look to purchase a live sponge
from time to time, or mussels/crab ?
<No>
What type if any sponges do I ask for
& size, and do you know the average price?   
<May I give a dose of honesty? All of these things that you have asked really should have been asked before you purchased the fish. These are living animals/pets...and they depend on us for their needs! Sorry for the soapbox. David Dowless>
Thanks so much for your help !
D. Mack

Larger pic of passer/Clarion cross
Hello Folks,
           here's the coolest passer mulatto/xanthic genetic freak ever collected!
                                       Steve Robinson, Cortez Marine
Clarionreef@aol.com
PS. First $1,000. takes it!
<Will post on WetWebMedia.com with your email addr. Bob Fenner>

Passer Angel
Happy Holidays,
<The same to you and your family! Scott F. here tonight>
Thank you for replying to my email so quickly. Your help and guidance is much appreciated!! There is one question I left out of my prior email. If I do put this 3 inch angel into my 48 gal. tank for the next 10 months will his growth be stunted in the long run?
<Good question/thought. I don't think that he would become stunted if you maintain high water quality, under crowded conditions, and do move him within the year to the much larger tank you mentioned in your previous email.>
Will he end up being a significantly smaller specimen? If I use the one inch of angel per 10 gallon formula I could keep this fish in this tank until 5 inches in length. Is this an accurate assumption? Thank you very much for your expert opinion. Sal
<As above- I don't think that he will become stunted if he's moved within the year. And, I don't think that he'll hit 5 inches in this tank/time period (not that he cannot achieve this size, but I doubt that he will). I don't really think that the old "1 inch of fish per gallon" rule is valid for most marine aquarium scenarios. My rationale for this is that most marine fishes have a "psychological need" for large amounts of space in order to be comfortable and  healthy. Also, a 5" fish in a 40 gallon tank will produce a lot of waste material, which needs to be removed by various means (filtration, skimming, water changes) in order for the fish not to be swimming in a "stew" of his own wastes (gross thought, I know). Also, a 40 gallon tank does not really hold 40 gallons, once you account for sand bed, rockwork, etc. (obviously, this applies to any size tank). Anyways- I think that your fish will do okay in this setup if you take into account the things that we've discussed. Best of luck!>

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.>

CLIPPERTON ANGEL
Dear Bob,
First of all thank you for your prompt reply and sorry to bother you again.
<Not a bother>
I have seen from a magazine that Reef Rascals aquarium have Clipperton Angels available.
<Which magazine?>
I have tried to visit his web site but I cannot got any information.
Will be appreciated if you can give me their e-mail address and person to contact.
<This company is unknown to me, search engines, the industry business directories. I would try the BB's, Chatforums here. Ours: http://talk.wetwebfotos.com/
Bob Fenner>
Thanks with best regards,
Danny :)

Re: Tank Suggestions
Dear Bob,
Thanks for responding in such an astonishing manner.
<Wonder what about such responses warrants them "astonishing"?>
I have a couple
questions that I hope you can find time to answer. I went ahead and
bought the 440g tank, and just the tank from a friend of mine. I want to turn
it into a reef but for now it is just empty in my shed! 
<Must be a big shed!>
My questions have to
do with the 55g reef setup I wrote about earlier! While I wait for my skimmer
to get here can i go ahead and start mixing the water in another bare bottom
55g and add a few damsels to start the cycling process?
<Hmm, good idea... no need for the damsels... I'd use a bit of live rock>
Also I have already
had success with all of the angels mentioned in my first e-mail, I was just
wondering if the Potter's was more likely to pick on corals than the Fishers?
<Both out of Hawai'i range... but the Fisher's much smaller... both about the same likely to pick...>
Also I did the math, how is 9.8 watts per gal for this tank, 
<This is a bunch... you will need to "match" the availability of carbon dioxide, biomineral, alkalinity... to the boosted illumination...>
I plan on
keeping all types of coral later on so I figured why not upgrade the combo I
just bought, it now houses 2 -175w 10,000k German bulbs and 2-VHO Actinic
"03" 95w tubes, they are housed in a fan cooled oak canopy! Would I be able
to keep Flowerpots and clams down the road what about Blue Ridge and Birds
Nest?
<Perhaps>
As for lighting the hang-on refugium, what would you recommend? It's
only 24"L * 4"W * 12"H! 
<A small compact fluorescent fixture would be ideal>
Would one of the sand swallowing cucumbers be alright
even with the jawfish having their burrows in the sand? 
<S/b fine>
Would 3 Jawfish work
in the 55 with the rest of the fish? 
<Not much space for three on the bottom... would limit this to two individuals...>
I ordered a Berlin H.O skimmer hows that
one? 
<Okay>
One last question and I'm off of your screen for a while, Doe you know
of any sources on the internet besides The Marine Center, that would maybe
have the prices on either a Clarion or a Clipperton angel, and any sites with
picture of the most beautiful angelfish?
<The Clipperton I've only seen in the UK (at Tropic Marine Centre) at a wholesaler's... the Clarion is now available through Robinson's efforts at LA wholesalers, but only know Marine Center in TX to sell to the end-user... Images: http://wetwebmedia.com/clariona.htm of the Clarion we have, not Connie's Holacanthus... do you have Allen and Allen and Steene's latest Angel and B/F book? You should... ref. to it on the WWM site.>
Thanks a bunch! I'll send you some
pics of the reef once it's up and running!
<Bob Fenner>

Clipperton Angel and Clarion Angel
Dear Sir,
I'd read all of your articles. It's really knowledgeable.
<Thank you>
Do you know where I can get a Clipperton Angel (Holacanthus Limbaughi) and a Clarion Angel (Holacanthus clarionensis) around 4" to 6"?
<Clipperton's are exceedingly rare (the Island is very isolated, expensive to get to as you know) but they do occasionally "show up" in the wholesale markets... usually to be shipped to folks in Japan and elsewhere in the Far East who will pay well for them... And the Clarion can be gotten the same way, through expressing your desire to a dealer in your country and having them contact one of the larger wholesalers in the Los Angeles, California area: Quality Marine, Sea Dwelling Creatures, Underwater World... and more are buying Clarions from time to time from the few, new collectors in Baja (and a few further south), now that the Mexican ban on their use is reversed... Put your request in for the Clipperton, and the dealer's here (US) will gladly contact you if/when someone makes that long haul...>
Approximately how much are they costing now? If they can be purchased, would you please advise me the place where I can buy them?
<Retail? A thousand or two dollars US for a small Clipperton, about half that for a Clarion>
Please reply to my e-mail alexc@axion.net
Thank you in advance for your help.
Alex Choi
<You're welcome. Bob Fenner>

Clipperton Angelfish
Dear Sir,
Again, thanks for your immediate response.
I do contact the folks in Marine Center but it seems that they do have a hard
time getting the Clipperton angelfish.
<Everyone does... due to the distance from any other frequented site nearby... and the fact that Clipperton is not en route from/to other commonly exited ports.>
As I see a few of Clipperton angelfish on the web site, can you give me the
contact method for this person who have those in stock? So can you advise him
to contact me by e-mail?
<Hmm, the contact method? By whatever means they post... if folks say they have this Angel, e-mail, call them...>
Thanks a lot!
Best wishes, Alex Choi
<Bob Fenner>

About Clipperton Angel
Dear Bob,
Thanks so much for your quick reply to my e-mail regarding the pricing of small Clipperton Angel and Clarion Angel.
Sorry for my late reply as one of my closed relative had passed away and I had to return back to my home town to attend the funeral.
<Ahh, it does seem a shame that we should pass>
I have reviewed the pictures on reefrascals.com but cannot find a method to contact the person who got the Limbaughi. I really want to get a smallest one. If possible, could you give me his e-mail address or phone number? If not, could you advise him to send me a e-mail to my e-mail address alexc@axion.net?
<Will post yours, but don't retain other people's... Do contact the fine folks at Marine Center re this rare Angelfish though... as these are their specialty. Link on most all WWM pages>
Your kind assistance on this matter is highly appreciated.
Best wishes, Alex Choi
<Bob Fenner>

Passer angel and queen angel
 Hi BOB,
 i have a passer and a queen angel in two separate q tank.
 Before i introduce them to my 180g f/o tank are they ok with one another.
 Should queen be introduce first and two day later then passer angel or
 introduce them together. My passer is 6"inch and my queen is half inch
 smaller than passer. Pls advice me on that. THANKS and MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
 HAPPY NEW YEAR.
KELLVIN LIM
 SINGAPORE
<Only the experience will prove the outcome... but these two similar angels should get along in this size, type tank. I would place them simultaneously.
Bob Fenner>

Clipperton? Let's go!
Hi Bob,
Conducted a search for the Clipperton angelfish, Holocanthus limbaughi. Noticed you might be in need of a photo and I might be able to help. I conducted a collecting expedition there a few months back, and I still have about 15 in my possession. E-mail me for more info, and you can preview them (nothing else yet) at reefrascals.com
>>
Wowzah, what a trip. Have heard of a couple of hauls out to Clipperton, but have not made it to there as yet myself... Don't know about the pic... but you might want to do a "pro" article about your company, the experience and the species for one of the end-user fish mag.s... probably FAMA. Do like the individual pic of the two!
Bob Fenner, who thanks you for the offer, input.

Hi, I'd like to know if the Venustus Angel and invertebrates are compatible.
Thank you. Oleg
>>
Many non- or invertebrates are compatible with this gorgeous, mid-size marine Angelfish species. They generally leave corals and other stinging-celled life alone. However, I'd like to caution you re this choice of Angels, they're not that tough... mostly due to rough capture, handling traumas... and the vast majority don't live three months... They unfortunately get my worst of three levels of survivability scoring.
Bob Fenner, who would only try one in a very well established system.