Originally Posted by peter1215
Based on the different experiences(good and bad) on this thread and research Ive done on emperors ,its seems external factors are the culprit of cutting its life short, not the species itslef. I know people who have had this fish for years and thrived while others had them for months. I believe the correct size tank, habitants and parameters are what allows this fish to thrive in the home aquarium. Like "Grouperlover" mentioned above, people need to look at the entire picture and determine , do i have the right tank for this fish? Too many people blame the fish for dying and dont examine their tank to find out what exactly caused the death. For example, anyone with tank less than 9 months or under 180 gallons and no LR has no business getting a large angel. It dont matter hown many bags of LS you buy at an LFS , there is no way a tank you just cycled in three weeks is ready for a fish that requires a mature tank. Even if you have the correct size DT, then you have to look at factors such as tank population and protein skimming. If your tank looks like Times Square and nitrates are at 100 dont expect your Emperor to thrive . Same applies if you have another fish harrasing him 24/7. Nutrition is another important factor. Again, lets look at our tanks before we say that Emperors(or other Angels) are hard to keep in home aquariums.
Then there is also the possibilty of the fish caught using cyanide as someoen mentioned earlier. So its also good practice to know where your lfs is getting their fish from. BTW, I've had my Queen for 21/2 years and Emperor for six months. I also have a french in a separate tank for 18 monhts. Good luck to everyone with your angels.
While this is an excellent post; lets not forget that LR has not always been around, I raised at least 3 large angels from juvi to long-lived adult without it. I did lose my very 1st one, cyanide is my guess. The main ingredients in their diets was romaine lettuce, spirulina flakes, and brine shrimp, unheard of now. I am not trying to steer anyone away from the more "purist" use of LR, nor arguing that LR is not generally a superior media; but all the needs of angels (Maybe not mandarins, but most other fish) can be met with other diets and methods of filtration. Let the public stoning begin; but, I just get a little nostalgic at times. That's why i still have a small (55g) "retro tank, that is probably overstocked, but thriving. There are very few "absolutes" in this hobby, I just don't think LR is one of them.
