Angelfish Breeding Journal

[Big Vine]

Thanks guys...I've decided that the true biotope idea is simply too restrictive, so I've decided to stick with more of a 'themed' tank than anything else. Accordingly, I've swapped out the anubias and crypts with various swords, which I think gives it a more SA feel. I've also scraped off all the algae...finally!

In order, from left to right---Ozelot sword, red melon swords (2), Amazon swords.
Not sure if the first three will stay...I may end up ditching the melon swords and replacing the Ozelot on the left with Amazon swords.

Jeff...great to see you back on the boards!
Lotus...thanks for the recommendations.

Thanks for following along!
BV

 

[MOsborne05]

Looks great BV I think you should get some jungle val to put in the back, behind the driftwood. The leaves are big enough that the angels can lay their eggs on, and if they do you can just snip off that piece. Also, its one of the few plants that really thrived in my 38 gallon tank!

 

[FishGeek]

Good idea Mo!! BV it looks great!

 

[Big Vine]

Thanks!
I just might give those vals a shot sometime. For now I wanna wait and see how the swords do. I've added some Seachem fert tabs to the substrate by the plants, so hopefully that will help.

BV

 

[FreshwaterJeff]

Very cool looking set-up. I think I owe you some photos of my angels for comparison purposes

 

[silver dollars]

Nice pic BigV!!!! Any updates with the angels(like pairing up or any of that)?

 

[IDunnoWhy]

Absolutely stunning tank BV! *SUNSMILE*

I really like the contrast between the tetras & the Angels, they compliment each other nicely (cute cories too ).

Any signs of pairing yet?

 

[Big Vine]

Major setback.
'Fang,' my favorite angelfish, has died.

I have a feeling the causes of death may have been parasitic---more specifically, some sort of nematode infestation. And I think this may be directly related to the illness harbored in several other angelfish that used to be in this setup. You may remember one of them:
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/disease-forum/49668-bvs-sick-angelfish.html
(and a more in-depth discussion here: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=159640)

I'm going to consult with the same veterinarian who helped me treat my oscar for an aeromonas (bacterial) infection. Hopefully he is well-versed in fish parasitology. I am basing my diagnosis hypothesis on information I researched online in two articles from the University of Florida which deal with fish parasites, including nematodes.


Prior to undertaking any sort of corrective action, I will wait until I have spoken with/visited the veterinarian. My hope is that I will be able to bring in the deceased fish and possibly one or several other live specimens (for instance, one of the two older angelfish which had been in this tank previously...it is still in QT in a smaller tank) in order to get an accurate diagnosis of the problem(s) at hand.

I welcome any and all feedback---particularly if you have experience in dealing with these sorts of issues.
BV

 

[FishGeek]

Awww! That sucks BV. I lost one of my Angels too, but I have not geuss as to what it was other than maybe stress. You amaze me with the knowledge on parasites that you have! One of my other Angels refuses to eat too so Im not sure if he will make it.

 

[Big Vine]

Thanks, Jess.
I hope the rest of your angels pull through.


In light of the apparent health issues I've been having in this tank, I've decided to give up the current setup and will relocate one of my other fish to this tank instead. Changes to tank stocking levels are reflected in my sig.

Thank you to everyone who has followed along.
If/when I ever get this problem identified, I'll let you know over in the illness section of the forum, but for now that will have to wait. I'm just not prepared to pay the $50.00-60.00 the vet quoted me for examining the fish and sending it to a lab. I'd probably shell out that much for my oscar---actually I have already done that once for him---but not for these guys I'm afraid.

Whether the vet confirms it or not, my suspicion is that I simply have an infestation (meaning overpopulation) of parasites---most likely nematodes---many (if not all) of which would normally exist in more 'manageable' numbers in any fish tank. According to my sources, it is perfectly normal for healthy fish to contain 'some' nematodes. However, their presence can get out of control and become problematic in a hurry, given the right conditions. With that in mind, I'm going to pull out all the driftwood, all the plants, and a good majority of the gravel---the latter of which will simply be discarded. I'll leave just enough gravel to cover the bottom of the tank. I'll also leave enough to cover up the roots of the plants, but that's it. The tank will be vacuumed as thoroughly as possible prior to adding any driftwood back into the tank and before adding fish.

BV