Angels are Dying

[mokmu]

I can't understand? I have been reading that Angels are more or less hardy fish and are easier to take care of. My fish have been dying. I just bought 6 angels last Monday from two different LFSs(two of each kind --- banded, marble and tri-color). One of the tri-colors disappeared over night. This morning the body reappears pretty much almost eaten. This afternoon, one of the banded disappeared. This evening, the banded died and one of the marbles is already swimming sideways plus the last tri-color is hiding by the substrate. I am afraid I don't know how to take care of them.

No ammonia, nitrites, nitrates are around 10. Temp is around 33 degrees. Tank is a blackwater main river channel 75 gal. pleco tank containing 1x5" Spinosus, 1x3.5" Adonis, 1x3" Butterfly Pl*c, 1x2" Starlight Bristlenose, 1x4.5" Vampire Pl*co, 1x3" Vampire Pl*co. 1x2" Leopardus (L114). Tank also has current from a 2200 li/hr powerhead (unfortunately the venturii device is off) <--- Do the angels need a lot of oxygen via the venturii device?. Filtration is 2x4 layer wet/dry trickle filters run by a 1600 li/hr. powerhead. I am very diappointed. I have been keeping rare and wild plecos for more than a year now but I can't take care of ordinary angels? I am really frustrated. I need some help.

Any answer will be really appreciated. Thanks.

Mike D.

PS: So far the silver dollars are doing fine in my driftwood snag 75 gal. with loads of current. The tank is also a pleco tank with mostly Panaques and Panaqolus pl*cs.

[VoodooChild]

The venturi shouldn't matter much since the other fish are breathing fine. The angels we get in ship really poorly and I've heard this from other folks. I'd see if your two LFS get their angels from the same place. That can make a big difference. Also, depending on where you live, the gills of the angels are often damaged in prolonged exposure to the cold and this can make them very lethargic and heavy breathers. Just some possibilities.

[OrionGirl]

Any chances that one of your plecos has a taste for slime coat?

[mokmu]

Nope, the plecs have been hiding in the rocks. I haven't really seen them even late at night or early in the morning.

Most probably the fish are poorly conditioned. They were in severely crowded tanks when I got them except for the tri-colored ones.

Any other sugestions? Thanks.

Mike D.

[OrionGirl]

I'd try finding a breeder to purchase the fish from instead of the LFS. I don't know where you are, but IME there are angel breeders all over.

[famman]

I have had several new angels die on me in a similiar fashion. I was able to save the latest one by quarantine with 'Had a Snail', 1 drop per gallon, plus a full course of 'Maracyn-Two'. He and his buddy are now doing very well.

My research indicates there is a 'virus-like' disease that often hits young angels. It is very contagious to other angels. You have to begin treatment within a day or so of noticing symptoms or it is too late. I lost 6 angels in a row before I tried this treatment regimine. I have not lost any angels since.

good luck
:)

[TomFromStLouis]

Is it just me or does that sound really warm for angels? It sounds too warm for anything but discus.

[OrionGirl]

Good call--the high temp is probably contributing to problems. Is that a typo? I just wonder because the higher temp would lower oxygen considerably, and may be causing a problem as you suspected. As a lower temp--around 27C--would be considered normal.

[KateA.]

I'll bet your LFS gets their angels from a huge wholesale distributor. We used to, but constantly had troubles with them. Fortunately, a local breeder contacted us and we now get them directly from him. Much nicer fish. He tells us what the pH has been in their tank, what they've been eating, etc. And we always hold back our angels for a few days until they are eating well and swimming around. When you buy them, ask how long they've been in the store.

You might also look for a local fish club and see if you can purchase some through there.

[mokmu]

Famman and Kate A., thanks for the info. I shall look into it. I am seriously looking at that as the culprit.

The rest of the guys. Unfortunately, yes, the temperature is correct. I live in the Philippines which is a little near the equator. To be quite frank, that temperature is the normal room water temperature here in my country now-a-days which is a lot like the temperature and humidity in South America. It is summer here in the Philippines at this time. Good thing is that I never need a heater ever, even during the Christmas Season.

Yes, I have started to use the venturii device plus added an extra airstone. I have also lost all my angels save for the Tri-colored one. I can't do anything with the temperature right now. That is how it is in my country and the wild plecs are still doing super. Maybe I can get a better batch later on? The hot season shall last another two more months. I shall probably wait till then. I hope I don't lose my last angel.

Geez, I only found out now that what I had were all angels were already crossbread species! Thanks everyone.

[thalassic park]

I would advise to leave the commercial bred angels alone. Try to access one of the genuine spp.. They are far more attractive.

[mokmu]

You bet. I am not really for these commercially mixed-bred fish. I shall try to get them. How much more expensive are they?

Mike D.