What is on my Black Angler?

mygatt

mygatt

Member
I have had my Black Angler for about two months now and he got a White raised spot on him? I didn't think much of it, knowing that they have a tendancy to change colors and have raised spots all over them, only the rest are his skin color- Blackish/ brown - depending on his mood. After a while he seems to have a white powdery substance on him and it seems like its spreading, none of my other fish, thank god, have any signs of it. I have a picture below, does anyone know what it is? I'm hoping it isn't ich and have never seen ich before, Thanks for anyones help!!
 
aw2x3

aw2x3

Active Member
For one, just by reading your post, it seems that you have your Angler with other tankmates. Rule one...THAT'S A NO-NO.
About the white spots...dont worry about it. It's normal coloration change for Anglers. I've had 6 different species of Angler. They'll change color, grow "algea" and other skin formations, to fit into their environment.
 
mygatt

mygatt

Member
I agree with you about not having him with other tank mates for the long run, but the tank mates are getting transferred next week, he is only about 1.5 inches long, and he is with a grown male and female bird wrasse and a bigger yellow tang. There is nothing to worry about for now - Also I have a 120 gallon cycling right now so I am transfering the wrasse and the yellow tang next week into the 120. I have heard that when the Anglers grow up they will eat just about anything that is the size of them or smaller. Thanks for the concern and the info.
 
mygatt

mygatt

Member
I'm still a little skeptical about it being natural color change because it is like a white sand type growth, it doesn't look like part of the skin. plus it seems to be spreading, do you still think it might be natural given that info? - I know you've had a few of these Anglers- did you notice a sand type fungus growing on any of them? Should I try a freshwater bath or should I just leave it alone, I'd hate to have it really be a problem and it be too late to do anything. also - does anyone have a link on how to do a freshwater soak properly, thanks.
 
aw2x3

aw2x3

Active Member
I'd bet money that it's normal. I once had a yellow Wartskin Angler, that started growing pink/purple "fungus" all over it...just a normal color change, trying to blend with it's surroundings.
I had a purple/lavender Commersons that started growing grey/white "fungus" on it.
A freshwater bath is highly discouraged...it'll cause more harm than good.
Here's a few pics of mine, that grew the same type of thing you're talking about, on yours.
Commersons:

Wartskin:
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Originally Posted by AW2x3
For one, just by reading your post, it seems that you have your Angler with other tankmates. Rule one...THAT'S A NO-NO.
About the white spots...dont worry about it. It's normal coloration change for Anglers. I've had 6 different species of Angler. They'll change color, grow "algae" and other skin formations, to fit into their environment.
Wow, didn't know that about this species. The chameleon of the sea, right? Pretty amazing, I'd say.
 
mygatt

mygatt

Member
Wow!!!, thanks for the pictures, he is awesome!! That is exactly what it looks like. I know you cannot keep other tank mates with them - Is there anything at all you can keep or just the same species. Actually can you keep them with other Anglers? I am converting my 30 gallon just for my black angler and wanted to see if there is anything else I can put in there. Also are anglers reef safe? I was thinking of doing a small Reef tank with him. Thank you once again for your info.
 
aw2x3

aw2x3

Active Member
I know we're not allowed to link to other retail sites, as SWF is also an online store, but if I may...I'd like to link to another forum, that has no retail ties and also, where I'm a senior member (AW2EOD is my screen name).
There's a member there, that keeps nothing but Anglers. He's got the most impressive/beautiful collection that you could ever hope to see.
He does keep numerous Anglers in the same tank, but only those are the same size and have no chance of eating one another. His member name is Uberfugu, so be sure to search the rest of the forum for his other posts.
But, HERE is a link to the thread, where he posted pictures.
 
1911_guy

1911_guy

Member
Yeah, those fish look wicked. I was just reading the recommended minimum tank size is 20 gallons. I'm tempted to turn my QT into a frogfish tank. :happyfish
Not gonna happen though, gotta have that QT!!!
 
E

emeralcrab

Guest
Those are some amazing fish.....are they hardy? I might have to do some research on them. I'm guessing they are coral safe and would look like a coral some day maybe?
 
mygatt

mygatt

Member
I agree Emeralcrab, I am turning my 30 gallon into a Angler/ Reef Tank. My black Angler is great, he eats pretty much right out of my hand. He sees me come over with a mollie and his fishing pole comes out and starts wagging, I put the fish up close to him and all of a sudden it disappears - pretty wild. The only hard part of it that i'm finding, is getting anglers the same size so that they don't eat eachother.
 
aw2x3

aw2x3

Active Member
Originally Posted by EmeralCrab
are they hardy?....I might have to do some research on them. I'm guessing they are coral safe and would look like a coral some day maybe?
Definately not hearty fish. Extremely sensitive to water specs, temp change, etc.
Their diet is also very strict and must be carefully watched, to prevent overfeeding.
Originally Posted by 1911_Guy
I was just reading the recommended minimum tank size is 20 gallons.
Depends on what species you get. I'd recommend 30gal. for just about every species that's available, for a single specimen. Commerson Anglers, however, can reach length of 14" and should be housed in something more appropriate, such as a 75gal.
 
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