Successfully keeping an Adult Emperor Angel

[crypt keeper]

Originally Posted by JGall
http:///forum/post/3151020
No pictures yet, too embarrassed, definitely sides sunken in, no quarantine, was using Cupramine (non chelated copper) in main display because display will be fish only.
He is either starving or has an internal parasite. You need to medicate with Prazipro. Issue with that is he if he isnt eating this will further delcine his appetite.
If you cant get him to eat in the next week Im afraid he will be too far gone to fix. Try the clam. IME he is probably a lost cause. The stress from too many fish and a small tank and probably an internal parasite.
Copper in your main tank ouch. Cupramine is very safe as far as trying to replace stuff. I have used it in a 40 breeder and then replaced my invert and live rock and everything has thrived. It has happened to others.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3151023
Im going to be brutally honest. Your fish list is way too much for a 4 foot tank. Its not gallons in this hobby I have learned. People can argue it all they want. Its swimming room. Left to right not up and down for big fish like angels and tangs.
In all honesty you need to get this guy eating. I think your tank is overstocked and he is stressed out. Not very much room.
perfect example is your chromis. They killed each other off. You will eventually be down to 2 then 1.
If I had the money. 8 foot tank by atleast 2 feet wide. That would ideal for your list IME. You can choose height but anything over 2 feet is a waste and a pain in the rear to clean. an 8 x 2 x 2 would be great for many many years
I can try to get fish to LFS for quarantine but he will probably be in a smaller tank yet. What do you think about totally revamping my fish list and keeping the tank. I willing to get rid of (trade in) all tank occupants.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3151030
He is eithe rstarving ior has an internal parasite. You need to medicate with Prazipro. Issue with that is he if he isnt eating this will further delcine his appetite.
If you cant get him to eat in the next week Im afraid he will be too far gone to fix. Try the clam. IME he is probably a lost cause. The stress from too many fish and a small tank and probably an internal parasite.
Is the medication you spoke of ok for a display tank (as far as bilogical filter bed)? should I keep it on hand for future reference and where do i get it? LFS not exactly well stocked would be ordering via internet, like I order everything else.

 

[crypt keeper]

well you put copper in your main tank. Anything is okay right now.
heres the thing. Its your tank. You can make sacrafices to make yourself happy. I can name a hundred awesome fish that would be awesome in your tank.

 

[crypt keeper]

The pictures would go a long way. We can help you better with rock work. Power heads.
what type of filtration do you have?

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3151037
well you put copper in your main tank. Anything is okay right now.
heres the thing. Its your tank. You can make sacrafices to make yourself happy. I can name a hundred awesome fish that would be awesome in your tank.
I want to hear your opinion of what would make a great looking display. I was obviously headed way down the wrong path, and am making a u turn back in the right direction. Like you said what originally wanted would have been great for a 180 but I want to fully stock this 120 (appropriately) and I am lost now. Can I put any large angel in there what so ever, safely. What else would compliment it if I can????

 

[cranberry]

Maybe make a list of fish you really really would like to have. We might get a feel for the general fish you like also.
I would think the navarchus may go in there. Others opinions?
You won't be lost for long.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3151039
The pictures would go a long way. We can help you better with rock work. Power heads.
what type of filtration do you have?
Large open pieces of liverock formed into arches centered in the center of the tank approximately 10 inches away from the glass and stacked up to just below the overflows. (I promise I will submit photos tonight). I am using (3)maxijet powerhead with the upgrade kits on them secure with the magnet mounts. I am willing to change that in anyway. Was told by Reefhotspot to have these for high flow to keep the anthias out and swimming.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3151044
Maybe make a list of fish you really really would like to have. We might get a feel for the general fish you like also.
Dont really want to get rid of powder blue tang, he is eating well and doing well, but other than that only thing I really wanted was 1 large angel and lots of activity. Was going to leave tank open top so wrasses were kind of out of the question but willing to change that as well.

 

[crypt keeper]

powder brown is an aggressive fish. he may not allow you to place any more fish in the tank.
First thing. Get rid of any fish you dont want. Like the butterflys. sell them as a trio on CL or trade them back in.
The flame angel and flame hawkfish are great fish than will be fine in this tank. But you need start over IMO.
The copper crushed your biological filtration. I would start over. Some may say not too. Your live sand wasnt live and isnt live anymore anyway. That caribsea sitting on the shelf for months. Nothing is alive in there.
To save yourself lots of time and money. I would start from stratch. Start a 30 gallon qt set up. Let both cycle at the sametime. In a few weeks the qt should be fish ready. This tank needs water a bio wheel filter and some pvs piping. Nothing else.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3151039
The pictures would go a long way. We can help you better with rock work. Power heads.
what type of filtration do you have?
Filtration is an old pro clear sump 35" L x 12.25" W x 18" H 300 gal or 1200gph bio area (filled with bio balls) 9 gallons and sump gallons 24.
Just ordered a precision marine redline series skimmer (125) (needle wheel)

 

[cranberry]

Originally Posted by JGall
http:///forum/post/3151045
Large open pieces of liverock formed into arches centered in the center of the tank approximately 10 inches away from the glass and stacked up to just below the overflows. (I promise I will submit photos tonight). I am using (3)maxijet powerhead with the upgrade kits on them secure with the magnet mounts. I am willing to change that in anyway. Was told by Reefhotspot to have these for high flow to keep the anthias out and swimming.
Okay... the anthias. Are you willing to go for something a little smaller than a lyretail? I wouldn't have a harem of lyretails in that size tank. I personally feel a harem of lyretails should be more than 3. They will pick on each other too much in that number, especially with those tank dimensions.
I edited my post above to suggest the blue-girdled.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3151055
powder brown is an aggressive fish. he may not allow you to place any more fish in the tank.
First thing. Get rid of any fish you dont want. Like the butterflys. sell them as a trio on CL or trade them back in.
The flame angel and flame hawkfish are great fish than will be fine in this tank. But you need start over IMO.
The copper crushed your biological filtration. I would start over. Some may say not too. Your live sand wasnt live and isnt live anymore anyway. That caribsea sitting on the shelf for months. Nothing is alive in there.
To save yourself lots of time and money. I would start from stratch. Start a 30 gallon qt set up. Let both cycle at the sametime. In a few weeks the qt should be fish ready. This tank needs water a bio wheel filter and some pvs piping. Nothing else.
I am willing to do the quarantine tank, pretty much have everything I would need. What do you want me to cycle either tank with?? Im not really experiencing any problems wiht nitrite or ammonia in display.
What were you thinking for a stocklist.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3151058
Okay... the anthias. Are you willing to go for something a little smaller than a lyretail? I wouldn't have a harem of lyretails in that size tank. I personally feel a harem of lyretails should be more than 3. They will pick on each other too much in that number, especially with those tank dimensions.
I edited my post above to suggest the blue-girdled.
No don't have to have lyretails just thought they were the hardiest and knew they would keep the tank busy. I am fine with the blue girdled so long as the tank isnt too small. What else were you thinking?

 

[jgall]

powder brown is an aggressive fish. he may not allow you to place any more fish in the tank.
First thing. Get rid of any fish you dont want. Like the butterflys. sell them as a trio on CL or trade them back in.
The flame angel and flame hawkfish are great fish than will be fine in this tank. But you need start over IMO.
The copper crushed your biological filtration. I would start over. Some may say not too. Your live sand wasnt live and isnt live anymore anyway. That caribsea sitting on the shelf for months. Nothing is alive in there.
To save yourself lots of time and money. I would start from stratch. Start a 30 gallon qt set up. Let both cycle at the sametime. In a few weeks the qt should be fish ready. This tank needs water a bio wheel filter and some pvs piping. Nothing else.[/QUOT Crypt Keeper are you ok with a Blue Girdled in the main Display after start over? What do you think about putting the powder blue in quarantine until after other fish are introduced to the main display?

 

[jgall]

So far we after starting over, I would have a flame angel (mated pair would be really nice), flame hawk, and possibly powder blue and possibly a Blue Girdled Angel.

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3151058
Okay... the anthias. Are you willing to go for something a little smaller than a lyretail? I wouldn't have a harem of lyretails in that size tank. I personally feel a harem of lyretails should be more than 3. They will pick on each other too much in that number, especially with those tank dimensions.
I edited my post above to suggest the blue-girdled.
Cranberry or Crypt Keeper any other suggestions????

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3151058
Okay... the anthias. Are you willing to go for something a little smaller than a lyretail? I wouldn't have a harem of lyretails in that size tank. I personally feel a harem of lyretails should be more than 3. They will pick on each other too much in that number, especially with those tank dimensions.
I edited my post above to suggest the blue-girdled.
Cranberry or Crypt Keeper any other suggestions???? As for a stock list.

 

[cranberry]

There are smaller anthias that like being kept in harems. Depending on final stock list, would you be interested in a different species?

 

[jgall]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3151087
There are smaller anthias that like being kept in harems. Depending on final stock list, would you be interested in a different species?
I am all ears, just like schooling fish and want to be able to keep them had trouble with bartletts in the past. Squarebacks are even bigger. I want all of your ideas for stocking this tank.