Trouble with Angels

S

Shanners09

Registered Member
Feb 27, 2008
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Hello All,

So I have a problem!

I have tried introducing angelfish into my tank for the past month or so, and so far I've tattempted his with 5 different fish. The first time I introduced 2 fish at once, then the next time it was a single fish, and now I'm attempting it with two fish.

This is becoming an expensive adventure because the fish keep dying, and very quickly, as in 24 to 72 hours.

I acclimate them as best I can in a separate bucket with a drip line, make sure the temperature is adjusted, turn off the lights. Unfortunately I don't have the abilities to quarantine these fish in a separate tank for a week or so. I have bought the fish from chain pet stores, as well as a breeder, but nothing seems to be working.

I have had angelfish in this tank in the past, so I know that my water quality can support them.

Currently in my tank I have:

-4 Red and Black Tetras
-1 Cory Cat
-2 Chinese Algae Eaters
-1 Rainbow Shark

I removed the two platys that I thought may have been nipping at the fins of the angels, but even these two new angels are acting off.

I love angelfish, but I dont know what to do. I did catch my Rainbow Shark acting VERY interested in the one fish that was swimming poorly and trying to avoid the others. I have seen him eating at another angel I found dead, so i'm worried that he may be traumatizing my new additions.

I know that Rainbows are not supposed to be aggressive, but I'm at my wits end! I can't afford to keep fueling his expensive diet. He doesn't seem to bother my other fish at all, however they are quick moving and highly active, whereas the angels are slower. The dead angels show signs of fin damage before they die and after, so I know that someone is nipping.

If anyone has ANY suggestions, I would be highly grateful for opinions, advice, whatever you can give me.

Is there something I could to better acclimate my angels? Are they just highly sensitive? I've had angels that were aggressive and would fend off anyone who came too close, but my recent additions are very docile.

Thank you!!!
 
I lost one angel less than 12 hrs after I purchased it. The other is about the size of a quarter
 
what are your parameters? nitrates..? ammonia..? pH..?

I don't know anything about angels but make sure you are keeping them in the right pH (even if you've kept angels in the same water before!) I'm not sure but I think they like their water soft, somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

my next best guess would be that they are dying from stress from being attacked.
 
You did not state the following which perhaps I may have missed.

Water parameters-ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH
Tank size
Strain of angelfish
Size of angelfish
Size of other fish
Unusual signs before they died aside from what you have described above (if there is any more)

Obviously, CAE's and sharks are territorial and should not be ruled out as suspects. If your tank is smaller than 55g, then their territorial behavior is quite a possibility. Do you have photos of these "red and black tetras"? I need to know what species are these.

As far as angelfish needing soft water, it is not necessary except for wild-caught specimens. Domestically-bred angelfish have been bred to tolerate various range of water conditions and as long as acclimated properly, they shouldn't be of any issue.
 
Are your tanks water parameters vastly different from your lfs?

Had an issue years ago where I went to a different shop and the neons I bought were kept in tanks with pH 8.4 - the neons couldn't cope with my tanks pH 6.5, even with gentle acclimitisation over 2 hours, they died within 24hrs.

Just a thought...
 
Rainbows & CAEs - neither is good w/ Angels, both species get a lot more aggressive w/ age & size.
 
If the parameters are all good.
Are you getting the Angels from the same place, have you tried a different LFS?
Are they hiding/act stressed when you introduce them in the tank?
 
I'll have to get back with some of the water parameters.

-My pH is right at 8.4; the water quality in my area is poor, i've struggled w/ trying to bring the pH down for several years with no success
-My ammonia levels are perfect, as are the nitrites
-Nitrates were at 10, possibly b/c of a dead fish
-I have a 30gal tank
-I'm not sure about the breed of the angels, I'd assume either Marble, or Zebra and a Golden Marble. I bought a Pearl Angel from the local breeder.
-The tetras are Red Minor Serpae Tetras (4) - body size = approx a nickel
-The red-tailed shark is probably about 5 to 6 inches long

The only unusual behavior in the angels that they hang out at the bottom of the tank and that is when I think the red-tailed shark is going after them. Its just odd because he's never gone after any of my other tank additions before.

My remaining angel has made it this far, he's hanging out in the back of the tank, near the heater. I added alot of long fake greenery that goes from gravel to surface, so he should have some places to hide from the redtail. I also placed a peice of driftwood in the tank, and so far the redtail is enjoying it very much.

 
Zero ammonia? Nitrate level is in safe range. The strains of angels you tried are hardy enough except the pearl, I assume pearlscale. Your tetras aren't exactly good tankmates with angelfish owing to their notorious fin nipping behavior. My thoughts are if your red-tailed black shark is already harassing the angelfish prior to introduction, then you must get rid of that fish if you want to keep angelfish because the moment it harasses them, they are already stressed especially from being transported to the point of losing the will to live. For a 30g though, it can hardly support more than a pair of angelfish. You must remember any new fish will be considered as an intruder regardless of the size and species.
 
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