Angelfish problem!

[Netherways]

Hi Guys,

I have just introduced a very small Angelfish into a small (10gal) bedroom tank. The guy in the shop (have dealt with him on many occasions and he knows his stuff) said that 75 fahrenheit was the ideal temp for the fish.

Now the fish has been in the tank for about 3 days now and it just spends its time hiding round the heater. Im a little worried that it is trying to get some warmth or is it just hiding?

Never having kept angelfish before I was really excited to get it home but its just sat there by the heater!

The only time it got up and had a bit of a run round was when I fed it yesterday. Then after about an hour it resumed its position by the heater!

Ideas people?

Many, many, thanks in advance.

Alex

 

[finnster]

I keep my Scalare Angels at 78 and my Altum Angels at 82 - though 75 should really be no great problem.
You didn't mention what's in the tank with your Angel nor your water conditions.
I presume that you've 'cycled' your tank and that you matched your pH to that from where you got your Angel. If you did then there's not a lot more you can do other than raise the temp a little.
It's probably still settling in. If it's on it's own then it may just be very timid in a tank on it's own and be nervous of it's new surroundings. You could try adding a few small tetras like Black Neons and this may help. When your Angel sees these dither fish swimming around then it will see that it's safe to 'come out' and that nothings gonna do it any harm.
Providing that it's eating ok then I wouldn't be overly concerned just now.
Good Luck.

PS - remember that Angels can get big - you'll eventually need to give it a bigger home.

 

[Netherways]

Finnster,

Thanks for the prompt reply;

I presume that you've 'cycled' your tank and that you matched your pH to that from where you got your Angel.

Yes the PH has been tested by both myself and the place where I bought the tank and the match is fine. Tank has been cycled aswell.

It's probably still settling in. If it's on it's own then it may just be very timid in a tank on it's own and be nervous of it's new surroundings.

I have some tetra's arriving on Sunday which I will introduce in to the tank and hopefully that will help it feel less lonely.

PS - remember that Angels can get big - you'll eventually need to give it a bigger home.

Yep, Don't worry, Its just in a bedroom tank for the moment but I shall move it to the larger tank downstairs when she grows a little bit. I was just a little worried that she might not make it that far.

Many thanks for that advice, I will try knocking the temp up a degree or so and see if she improves. Im always paraniod when I Put a new species into an "untried" environment so you have helped me put my rind at rest!

Alex

 

[lizard]

I do believe Angels find Neons (and perhaps other little Tetras) to be tasty snacks!

Although, if you Angel is still small enough to be in a ten-gallon, then perhaps it won't bother the Tetras just yet.

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[finnster]

Lizard is quite right to an extent about 'tetra snacks' but if managed correctly - that can be avoided - except with very big Angels.
If you bring up young Angels alongside tetras then there are rarely any problems - except with very big Angels. It's when your Angels start to grow and get used to their 'home' - that the introduction of small tetras can be a problem - they see them being introduced as 'live food'.
In my tank, I have a shoal of Cardinal Tetras and some Black Neons which were brought up with some Scalare Angels. I now have those breeding in my garage and the Cardinals and Black Neons now spend their days living quite happily with my Altum Angels.
I've always kept my Angels well fed without 'overfeeding' and perhaps this regime helps too. I do know that when my Angels get really big, there may be a problem but so far so good.
I did make the presumption that a small Angel was the one in question.
Once again netherways - good luck!

 

[finnster]

Netherways.....
.....further to my last post.....
.....here's a reply I put on a couple of days ago to someone who had lost a Neon Tetra.
I did read somewhere 'if you believe in reincarnation - pray you don't come back as a Neon' - funny but true!

The only thing I can add (from experience) is that Neons can be extremely weak and it's always odds on that you will lose some.
We have a local stockist who sells 10 for around £6 and always puts 12 or 13 in the bag anyway.
I have a tank which now houses Altums, Corys, Brissy's and a shoal of Cardinals. I purchased a dozen Cardinals initially and lost all but three, the shop were good enough to offer me another bag foc.
In all to establish the current shoal of 18 - I lost 26 in all. This I see as no fault of my own as my water parameters are spot on with pH at 6.5 and GH around 8 - practically the same as the shop from where purchased. I take well over half an hour to acclimatise any new fish and gradually change the water in the bag whilst doing so.
A good friend of mine had the exact same problem, he didn't lose quite as many as me but he's eventually ended up with a shoal of 12 in his Discus set up.
I've quizzed many shops and retailers and they all say that "it's just a thing with Neons and Cardinals".
One thing I have found out is that there is a difference in quality between UK suppliers. I have a friend now working in the aquatic trade and he has told me that fatalities from a certain supplier is much lower than another. I do not wish to enter into 'names' here but we have proved this to be true in recent months.
I guess all in all - if your water parameters are good and they're near as damn the same as your local shop - then take time to settle them in - and be prepared to lose a few if you want a decent sized shoal.
Please remember that these are just my experiences and opinions from our 'neck of the woods' - it's not gonna be the same for everybody - good luck!

.....this is why I recommended 'Black Neons' - they seem to be a bit hardier and they're also 'deeper' in body size (not so easy to snack upon).
Hope all this helps.

 

[Spyderdf]

A 10 gallon tank is way too small for any angel.
they should be in atleast a 30 gallon tank with 10 gallons to them selves. This is due to angels get very tall. And unless u want to see something that looks like jaws with the angels fins outta water i would not suggest AT ALL keeping an angelfish in a 10 gallon tank.

 

[Cali]

I think you'll be OK keeping the angel in the 10 temporarily. A 10 gallon is fine for an angel on a temporary basis or as a hospital or QT tank, IMO.

I'm expecting 3 angelfish in the mail tomorrow (they should have been here today *sigh*) and all three will go into my 10 gallon as QT before they go into my 45. I said all that to say that I think you'll be OK for a short while...

 

[Netherways]

Thank you for all your replies.

It would appear that some people in this forum are rather pre-occupied with size, I DID state in one of my previous posts that I have the angel in the 10g tank for the moment but it WILL be moved to my larger, main, tank downstairs when she grows.

Many thanks for the constructive responses

Alex

 

[Boggle]

Hi,

I had the same problem with my Angel, it would hide behind the heater when it was on at 72F. Turning it up to 75F seemed to do the trick. Also, they take a few days to socialise with the other fish. Adding another angel would probably make it more confident, otherwise just let it be for a few days & it's personality & confidence will grow.

Cheers

 

[Boggle]

Just noticed u already had ur heater on 75F, lol... maybe going to 80F would help

 

[Netherways]

Boggle,

Many thanks for your response, If she hasn't improved by the weekend then I may turn it up a little bit. I think she is getting a little bit better though. So it was probably just settling in!

Many thanks to all,

Alex