My nemesis, the French Angel

[Anonymous]

I have been trying for two years to keeo one of these alive. Every time it is dead in less than a week. Ordinarily I would have given up assuming it to be a difficult to keep species, but everything i have read seems to indicate otherwise? I've tried several different suppliers and several different sizes. I had great success with other angels including flames, queens, bicolors, lemons and coral beauties. Any suggestions?

Glenn

[ September 29, 2001: Message edited by: Rover ]

 

[JennM]

How are they dying?

Are they eating in the store before you take them home? I love French angels, they are quite personable, and I like to spoil them by hand-feeding them. I've seen various specimens in my work, from tiny juveniles to dinner-plate sized (who IMO should have been left in the ocean!)...I've not seen problems with them.

Jenn

 

[Wookaka]

Do you have any other fish in the tank with these angels that are dying?
You mentioned keeping flames, queens, bicolors, lemons and coral beauties but IMO queens would be the only ones to go in the same boat as a french. The full size sound like a different ball game than the pygmy angels.
I know the full size can be picky some times. Naturally they'll eat algaes, sponges, coral polyps and may not enjoy the average aquarium foods.

 

[Anonymous]

I work in "an" LFS so I'm usually able to quarantine them in my system. The system itself is fine. Lots of critters in the sand bed. Lots of live rock. Sometimes they are eating sometimes they aren't. They always look fine until one day they're dead. My guess would be stress, or improper handling. I just wanted to rule out any possibilities.

Glenn

 

[Bomber]

Hi Glenn,

You caught my attention by mentioning one of my favorite fish

.

We have no problems on this end. Which leads me to agree with your assumption that's it's shipping stress. If your source is Keys based, would you please let me know. I might be able to help you from here.

Jerel

 

[Anonymous]

I remember your pics from a while back. Most of them have come from an Atlanta wholesaler. A few from LA. (Not while I was in charge). I've lost four so far. Five is my limit.

Glenn

 

[Vins Fins]

I have had mine for 6 months now, i got it from Jeff's Exotic. When i ordered mine it was early spring, the shipping was delayed and the fish were in the bags for 2 days, i thought they were gonners. I opened the box and to my surprize they were still alive. i drip acclimated them for 3 hours,i put the french angel in my oceanic 180 built in over flow, in their no other fish can bother it so it gives them time to acclimate, and i can see whats going on. the french was starting to tip sideways, for the next 2 hours i had to help the french keep it balance by proping it upwards, the next day he looked good, i then started to feed him and placed him in the tank. heres a pic, it has already trippled in size.