Passer Ang Fs

FAQs About Baja/Trop. E. Pacific Angelfishes

A grouping of Passer's in the Galapagos.


A 2" Passer Angel in the wild	A 4" Passer in captivity	A one foot Passer in the wild

Angelfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here
by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Passer Angel & Noxious Soft Corals 10/17/16
Hello-
<Hey John>
My set-up in question here. I have a 220 gallon reef tank, 50 gallon sump, a 3200 gph return pump, oversized protein skimmer, and two internal power
heads (4500 gph each),
<Wow>
plus two 72 inch LED strip lights. I am considering the addition of a Passer Angel. I've extensively read about them.
My main concern and question is that I have some noxious soft corals, i.e.; various types of mushroom species and a toadstool leather. Would these soft corals be destroyed or OK?
<Mmm; I've collected, had several Passers... and know of others; For Holacanthus sp. they're generally (more than 80%) usually "okay" with such noxious Cnidarians. I therefore give you good odds>
I am considering a 2 inch Passer to purchase.
<And even better likelihood of all getting along if started small>
Thank you!
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: Passer Angel & Noxious Soft Corals 10/18/16
Thank you Bob!
<Glad to share John. BobF>

Passer Angelfish/Compatibility 5/17/12
Hey crew!
<Shea>
I have a question about Passer Angel compatibility. I have a 220 gallon FOWLR tank that has been set up for about three years now. It's current residents include a Harlequin Tusk, Volitans Lion, and a Dogface Puffer. I am looking at getting an angel and thought the Passer would be a more suitable option over the Queen or Emperor. What are your thoughts on this?
<They are all about the same as far as aggressiveness is concerned but the Passer would be better for your size tank as it doesn't grow quite as large as the other two choices. regardless of your choice, you will eventually need a larger tank. A 220 gallon tank doesn't offer a lot of room for a one foot fish.
Thanks, Shea

Ghost white Cortez Angel...first ever. 6/29/11
OMG!
Look what we just caught in Mexico...
<Ahh, the royal "we">
This is the first and only white Cortez angel I have ever seen in 30 years of diving.
Clarion angels and hybrids are much easier to get.
I wonder what to charge for it?
Japan will take it for 3.5 k.....but perhaps it might stay on this side of the world.
Better photos very soon i.e.. Friday.
Many Cortez and passer angels coming in as well.
<I thought you were still in jail for the Clipperton incident. BobF>
Steve Robinson

Re: Ghost white Cortez Angel...first ever. 6/29/11
Jail?
I have been working . Mexico all this time!
You must have been talking to a competitor...always a source of good info.
<Ahhh. Thank you for this correction>
We got 2 hybrids in February, I nearly went to Easter Island in March....Mexico in April again.... and the permits for our new station were issued in May....I set up a new station and we have been shipping for over a month.
<Nice!>
The white Cortez is a first [ the photos terrible] and although many passers have shown a melanistic streak, we have never seen it in Cortez.
It will help pay for the new station.
<I collected in Baja and the Revillagigedos before you... have never seen such a genetic mosaic period>
[USFWS killed the Clippertons they took....by aquarium error i.e.. too many fish in a instantly set up tank.]
<Rats!>
Clipperton was to be again with the Monaco Aquarium on board this time but the tanker grounding put everything off the table for now.
Steve Robinson
Re: Ghost white Cortez Angel...first ever. 6/29/11
I've only been collecting in Baja since the first permit in 1979....
We shipped our first ever.....20 boxes on Jan 4th, 1980.
<Has it been this/that long? I remember first meeting you in the early 80's w/ Chris Turk, here in San Diego... I testified to a federal court re Bob Snodgrass and Don Wilkie (the then Chief Aquarist and Director of the (William T. Vaughn) Scripps Aquarium) re charges against them re collecting during the ban... in 93 I believe. BobF>
Steve Robinson
CORTEZ MARINE
3144 Diablo Ave
Hayward, Calif.
94545
Our Blog --->>> http://cortezmarine.blogspot.com/

Hey everyone.... Passer Angel sel., sys. 2/26/10
<Hello Jason>
I wanted to get a few opinions on the Passer Angel.
<A quite wonderful fish, and hardy as well>
My local pet store has a 4" Passer and I am really interested. I have done thorough research and I see that they are rather aggressive.
<Yes, they can be>
How aggressive and to what other Angel could they be compared?
<Mmm, maybe a Queen although this fish gets much larger>
I have a 100g FOWLR setup with just Butterflies and a Tang. Will this be a suitable home for him temporarily or is he going to destroy my Butterflies?
<No, I'm sorry to say Jason that your tank is far too small for this fish.
It does grow smaller than some of the larger Angels (to about 14 inches max, and less in captivity) but you still need a tank more than twice the size of the one you have now. Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PasserAngF.htm>
I have a Raccoon, Heniochus and a Yellow Tang (all at 3" or below). The research states they need large quarters and that they are very aggressive but do you think this could work since my tank is lightly stocked?
<No I don't>
If not, which other angels could you recommend for a 100g in the larger genus (not pygmy/Centropyge).
<None of the Pomacanthus or Holacanthus genus will work here. You might find one of the smaller Genicanthus, Chaetodontoplus or Apolemichthys species that grow to a max of about 6 inches in the wild. Perhaps something
like a Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus, or an Apolemichthys xanthotis, but these fishes really do better in reef set ups. Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/apolemichthys/index.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/chaetodonoplus/index.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/genicanthus/>.
Thanks a lot
<No problem, Simon>

26/02/10 Hey everyone....trying to shoehorn large Angels into small tanks... Passer, Pomacanthid sel. f'
<Jason>
Based on what I read within the links you gave, it pretty much states what these fish "should" be housed in.
<Yes>
Basically I was asking if it was possible to house this fish in my 100g and after reading I see that it is.
<Yes. It is also 'possible' to keep an Alsatian in your garage its whole life, but you can pretty much guarantee that it won't be happy or healthy>.
I see your trying to give this animal the largest living space possible
<No, for this I would recommend 500 gallons+, and I believe I stated that you need at a minimum more than double what you have. I would say 250 gallons>.
but based on what I read it can still live in the quarters I have.
<It can stay alive for a while, yes, but it will have a shortened lifespan for sure. Large angels like this can live 30 years. That is what you are taking on with this fish, but it won't go anywhere near that long in your tank. Had you really spent some time 'reading' you would know this. The fish if crowded will be stunted in growth. This is cruel, and you will be guilty of cruelty, especially if you have been warned, which you have.>
Kinda like having a bird in a cage and/or around your house, yes it's used to much larger quarters but it does just fine in the not-so-large quarters it's in (considering you provide a good home, nutrition and exercise).
<This depends on the bird. Obviously a canary would be ok. Do you think an Eagle would be ok in your living room? No, this fish will not 'do fine' it will be stunted. With a large head and small body. And it will die young. Does this sound 'fine' to you? Have you ever seen large angels that have been kept in small tanks like this for several years? With HLLE and deformed spines? No, you obviously have not but I have and I can tell you it is not a pretty sight. Is that what you want in your living room?>
From what I know through my experience, unless severely constricted, most animals will learn to adapt (I am less knowledgeable about fish though lol).
<This IS severely constricted, and no animal can 'adapt' to a smaller body.>
I could see if I was putting a 17" angel in a 55g tank but this is a 100g.
<? You are under the impression that 100 gallons is a large tank. It is not, it is a medium-small tank, and for an animal like this it is tiny, in fact putting an Angelfish like this in a 100 gallon tank is, to be perfectly honest, ludicrous.>
But after all this I see now that the size of it's home is more based on it's temperament rather than overall size.
<No, it is not, you have this backwards. Where have you been reading/ who told you this? The size of it's home is based on its maximum size, and it's nature. These fishes need space to grow, and to roam. It's temperament determines what fish you place with it. Totally different, you do not understand the fishes needs at all. You need to go back to the drawing board here Jason>.
I guess I just wanted to know what type of personal experience you had with this species regarding it's aggression.
<I have never kept this fish personally, but I have seen it in aquariums, and I have kept similar species (Holacanthus). This is an aggressive fish, but that is not the issue. You have been warned, Jason, and I leave it to you and your conscience about what you decide to do>
I'll just do some more research.
<I would. If you don't understand the basic needs of these difficult fish, then you are not yet equipped to keep one>
Thanks anyway Simon
<No problem>
Re Passer query; sel., Pomacanthids as well 3/1/10
Hi Simon,
<Hi James>
I think you did a good job on the Passer query.
<Thanks! I do think, that in my passion to see these fishes housed properly I do get a bit emotionally carried away sometimes, but I suppose if I have conveyed the correct message then that is the main thing>
In my 30+ years experience, I have always came across folks like this who believe things will be different for them, like they are going to change the physiological process of animals.
<I surely believe you have heard it a million times...>
You pretty much told it like it was and now it's up to him whether to attempt to defy nature.
<Yes, and even if he does not, then hopefully others might be dissuaded from taking a similar path by reading and learning from proper resources such as WWM>
James
<Simon>

SICK FISH EMERGENCY... Passer Angel mistreatment 4/26/08 Hi, <Tim> I need some urgent help here and seek your advice. I have a passer angel who has suffered some poor water quality conditions, namely enduring a tank cycle and subject to elevated nitrite levels after dealing with the prerequisite ammonia battles. <Why?> The tank now appears to be cycled and water quality is good on all tests. The problem he is facing now appears to be an infection of some sort with visible sores, lots of mucus on the outside, and rapid gilling. He looks like he's on the verge of death. I am trying to think of what to do for him. I am thinking of doing some type of medicated freshwater dip, but not sure what to go with. I have Methylene blue on hand but I'm thinking he needs something more. Is there something I should do to treat this as a bacterial infection? <Perhaps a Furan compound...> Is there a stronger medication I should try with dipping him? <... insufficient data...> What remedies would you suggestion for the triage and longer if he makes it? Any help is GREATLY appreciated! Tim <This species of Holacanthus really suffers from being overly-stressed... It may well be too late for this specimen. I'd be reading here: http://wetwebmedia.com/fishindex3.htm the first tray... on Marine Angels... Bob Fenner>

Passer Angel... Sys. 3/14/08 Hello Bob I'm looking at getting a smaller of one of the larger angels, and have been reading alot <... no such word> on the Passer/King Angelfish. In one of your articles you had stated they should max out at around 9", but I have read 9", 10", 12" and 14". Could you point me in the right direction for the passer's max size in a aquarium. <... really mainly depends on the size of the system... the nine inch is a good general maximum length for almost all hobby sizes...> I have a 125 gallon, <Won't get even this size here> will a 4" to 5" through adult size passer be ok with blood shrimp, boxer shrimp, cleaner crabs and snails, <May eat any/all...> 1.5" neon goby, 3" p. clown, 4" yellow tang and a 3" regal tang? If not would one of these be a better angel for my system, and are these max sizes right? Annularis (max 8")Queensland Yellow Tail ( max 10") Black Velvet (max 8") <None of these Pacific Angels is really suitable for a 125 gallon volume> Also I would like to get a dwarf angel, maybe a flame, can you mix dwarfs and large angels? Thanks alot Todd <See WWM re... BobF>

Re: Passer Angel... Large angels, sel., need to proof writing... for grammar, clarity ? 03/18/08 How's it going Bob I didn't realize a passer angel was such a bruiser, with more reading I have realized that. <... run on...> It sounds like a asfur angel or a emperor angel would be ok with my shrimp, crabs and some of the smaller fish, they sound a little more peaceful (or at least not as aggressive). Do you agree? <With what? Relative compatibility? Not really> Would a queen angel be ok with shrimp, crabs and smaller fish, I've heard good and bad about the queen's, What's your opinion? <... posted> You stated that a passer angel will not even get 8" in a 125 gallon, I thought angels would out grow their tank if it was not big enough, and that was the point off getting a big enough tank or a small enough (growing to max size adult) angel, to start with. <...? What? To provide adequate living space, expression (age...), health...> That's why I was looking for one of the smaller, bigger angels. The asfur angel and emperor angel get about 15" to 17" max size, and the asfur angel will max out at about 8" to 9" in captivity, Will the emperor angel max out at 8" to 9" also in captivity? <Often> I though a 72"X18"X20" aquarium would be plenty big enough for a 8" to 9" angel, <Not really> I know they need room to swim, but that seems like enough for that size angel, I can see that size not being big enough for a 15" to 17" angel, but i figured it was plenty for a 8" to 9" angel. What size do you suggest for a 8" to 9" angel? <... For what? Size system? Eight feet long or larger, 2-3 hundred gallons> In a previous email on cleaner shrimp and gobies you stated that (they don't eat the encrusted stage of ich lying on the sand and rocks, or at least reliably, and the other two stages can't be seen). So how do they help control ich then, if they can't see two of the stages and the third one they barely feed on? <Ahh! Posted also... Control, not cure... mostly (apparently) by making the host fishes feel better> I have seen them cleaning fish lots of times, I always thought they were picking the parasites off? <Nope. RMF>

Re: Passer Angel, responding to folks who don't have the common courtesy to follow simple instructions... go someplace else ? 3/18/08 Bob <Todd> I know a lot of that stuff is posted, I just don't understand all of it, which is why I'm writing you about the stuff. And I'll be the first one to tell you my grammar isn't the best, but I try my best for you. Don't you enjoy talking about this stuff???? Seems like you just want to use your expertise to be a jerk to the inexperienced!!! You were a teacher right? When your students didn't understand the material and asked questions, did you just tell them its posted? It's obvious you care more about belittling me and other fish hobbyists about our grammar and what we don't understand, then to give us a hand and help us out. I've always been very nice to you in my emails and it's ridiculous the way you act towards me in your replies (considering how much you say you love the hobby). One of my hobbies is racing and sports cars. I couldn't imagine acting like you do towards somebody that was asking a question about something that was one of my favorite things in life. I would love to help them, no matter how bad their grammar and how stupid the question. Seems your only nice to the knowledgeable one's with good grammar. <Thank you. Go elsewhere. B>

Adult passer angelfish, shipping trauma. 12/15/2007 <Very common... specimens more than about 4" total length don't "ship well"> I recently received a large adult passer angelfish from a mail order fish store which shall remain nameless since they have been nice about this. The fish arrived in terrible condition, dazed and confused and in ~65 degree water that was loaded with waste. I've had it in my 175 gallon tank for a day now and not surprisingly it won't eat and it is very sluggish though mobile, taking laps around the tank occasionally. <The last behavior leads me to have hope...> I wonder if any of you know what types of stress tropical marine fish can take and what the prognosis for such a fish is and what I can do to maximize chances of keeping it alive and even better acting like the bold, curious fish it is supposed to be. It really is very sad seeing such a beautiful fish like this fall apart. Thanks, Omar. <I'd keep the lights off to low... if you have to for other livestock... and not be overly concerned if the fish doesn't feed, do much of anything for a few days. Again, the swimming about behavior is a good sign. Bob Fenner, who did collect this and other "key" (i.e. expensive) species al sur off and on for decades.>

Re: Adult passer angelfish, shipping trauma. 12/19/07 Hi Bob and crew. The Passer has not visibly gotten parasites or anything out of the ordinary since I last emailed you but it is still not eating and has gotten very sluggish, lying on its side much of the time until today. <... I would notify the shipper... These symptoms are case-perfect for a specimen that has been chilled... Happens... quite often... in hauling, live-shipping "up the line" from its E. Pacific subtropical distribution...> I tried blowing Cyclop-Eeze at its mouth last night and I don't know if it was only coughing or eating but today it was more alert and even elevating itself off the bottom. I know you aren't here to see this fish but I'll ask anyway. Is this just a last burst of energy before dying or did inhaling the Cyclop-Eeze actually help it? I've given it Cyclop-Eeze several times today and after just about giving up on the fish I'm once again hopeful it may live. Its eyes are still presenting as very alert and actively scan and follow motion. It is just the fact this guy won't eat I think that is getting him down. Any suggestions beyond what I have done would be helpful. <There is naught to do really... Either this fish's protein-enzyme systems have been overly challenged and it will perish... or rally. Keep the system, specimen stable... and hope. BobF>

Live Sand Storage and Passer Angel... sel., dis. 8/3/07 Hi Crew, I just set up a 125 a few weeks ago for a Passer Angel I bought that is 10 inches. <Needs a world of more than twice this size... and large angels (for the species) are indeed not often good-adaptors to captive conditions... Best to start with a "medium size"...> I first saw him when I went to look for a Marine Betta that he was housed with and he bit off the Bettas tail right before I bought him. I still bought the Betta and his tail grew back plus the clerk cut 10.00 bucks off the price. He will not be having a rematch since they will be in separate tanks. I have the Passer in a QT tank of 50 gallons and he came down with velvet? <...> The pet store held him for a month for me and I bring him home and he gets velvet in a week? <Maybe... where is the parasite coming from?> This has happened in the past with all Angels I have bought? None of the other fish ever get it? <???> Yesterday I freshwater dipped him and today it was coming back and freshwater dipped him again and put him in another QT tank or hospital tank for his 15 day copper treatment. 125 should be done cycling by then. He looks healed after the freshwater dip and Im shocked how fast it comes back. In my QT tank I understand the copper will kill my bio filtration. How much of a water change should I do to keep water decent and how often? <As much as necessary. See WWM re> Also would I be better off using cycled water or premixed water for the water change? <The former... if you can be assured that it is parasite-free> One last question and Im sorry for be long winded. I bought a used 90 gallon just for the filtration because it was to good to pass up. The live sand I don't need right now and was wondering how I should store it? <Yes... but not as such. That is, it won't be very live with time going by in storage... and will need good rinsing, perhaps bleaching and dechlorinating ahead of future use> I see it in bags in stores but not sure if that's the right way. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I thank all you guys for making this complicated hobby make since! Rick <A bit of a definition difference. There are sand products that tout being "live"... but this is a bit of a misnomer... They may be primed for bacterial population growth, but definitely lack higher phyla presence. Bob Fenner>

Passer angel compatibility 7/20/07 Hello to Bob and crew, I have a Passer Angel on reserve for me at the local fish store, and I have a few questions about compatibility. First the tank is 125G long (6') with a wet/dry filter with UV and protein skimmer as well as 80lbs of live rock in the tank. Yes, I am expecting to upgrade in a year or so. Although I think I would be fine with the wet/dry, I have started the project of turning the wet/dry into a sump/fuge and should have that done shortly. The tank has been up for about six months and currently holds a Foxface Lo, Longfin Goby, and cleanup crew. On to the fish list; the Passer is 4-5" and has been at the LFS for more then two months. It has survived Popeye from its initial shipment into the store and the stores system going through an ich outbreak and subsequent copper treatment. The Passer is eating well and quite personable. I swear the other day when I went to look at him he came up to the front of the tank to say hello. After getting the Passer acclimated to his new home, I would like to add a trigger and a tang. Would I be ok adding a Hawaiian Black Trigger in a few months and then a tang, looking at red sea sailfin, powder brown, or yellow, a few weeks to month after that? Thanks for your help and I appreciate all the knowledge I have already learned off your website. James from TN >>>Greetings James, Jim here. Passers are very aggressive fish, and should almost always be added to the tank last, even when we consider that you're going to add a trigger (which normally should be the last fish added). Best Regards Jim<<<
Re: Passer Angel compatibility 8/10/07 Well sad day... The Passer has since died and the culprit from what I can tell is the Foxface Lo. He loved following the Passer around and every now and then the Passer would turn and give him what I call, "the get off me stance." They had been together for nearly two weeks and I came home to find the passer dead on the sand with a swelled area on his side. His color was still good and he was eating a variety of foods two to three times daily so I do not think it was diet or environment. I tested the water regularly and Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates were at 0, salinity of 1.024, Ph 8.4, and temp at 79 degrees. Am I missing something or would I be ok with taking the Foxface back and trying again with another Passer in the near future? Thanks in advance. James in TN >>>Passers are as tough as nails, with good water parameters you shouldn't have any trouble. Just keep in mind their eventual size and VERY aggressive nature. He'll end up alone eventually in anything smaller than a 150 gallon tank. Jim<<<

Angel, passer sexing 4/14/06 Dear Bob <Alan> I am a marine aquarist of some 30 years, living in South Africa. <Greetings to you> I purchased a Holacanthus passer six months ago, <Wow... a long way from its TEP "home"> and have just purchased a 180 gallon aquarium for the fish, which is currently growing up in a 63 gallon. The passer is approximately 11 cm in length and has slowly begun to change to adult colouration. <Gorgeous> The fish has yellow pelvic fins, and I would be really keen to know its sex. Half of the literature I read says that males have white pelvic fins, and the other half indicates that females have white. Which is correct? <You know... I don't think/believe either is. Have seen this fish in S. Baja, along Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Galapagos (in huge numbers), collected it commercially in the Islas Revillagigedos... and there did not appear to be a consistent sexually dichromic pattern> I would dearly like to attempt to house a pair in the 180 gallon. <Mmm, this is really too small a system for this... Perhaps a 300 plus... or just having an "adult" and another much small sub-adult specimen> Many thanks in advance. My best Alan Jardine <Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: passer sexing, Holacanthus beh. - 04/19/06 Dear Bob <Alan> Many thanks for your comments and speedy reply. Much appreciated. <Welcome> I am still a little perplexed as to why certain individual passers have white ventral/pelvic fins, while other have yellow ventral/pelvic fins. <Have pondered this myself...> Would this then just be an individual or locality difference? <More of the latter in my experience. Specimens further South seem to have more yellow "on average" by far... can send/show you pix of aggregations in the Galapagos with all yellow pecs... but there are populations/times when they're quite yellowish further to the northern limits of this Holacanthus species range... and no real whitish and yellowish individuals mixed in either> Apologies for being painful, but being stuck out at the tip of Africa, we do not get to see many of these species. If it were possible to sex, I could source a 300 gallon as per your recommendations. Would need to be sure that I was obtaining a passer of the opposite sex though before purchasing, as these guys are costing close to a months salary. <Mmm, having collected several hundred "pieces" (term in the industry for individuals), and having a liking for the species, knowing a bit re others (part. H. tricolor) reproduction ala Thresher et al., am given to ask what your interest is in attempting to house a male and female together. This species has a large lek territory... with males "flitting about" over even larger territories... much larger than aquariums. There are likely very few actual males as a ratio... Bob Fenner> Many thanks again My best Alan Jardine Looking for Passer angels I have started a new business and are trying to find a good wholesaler in Mexico that could give me a good price on passer angels could you help me <for their nearby collection to you in the Sea of Cortez you should be able to find someone in Mexico to ship these to you. I know of none... perhaps Bob does. Else, inquire at these US places- http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/home.html http://www.themarinecenter.com/ kind regards, Anthony>

Passer Angel I was wondering about my passer angel. I just got it last Sunday (the 25th, I think) and it is getting along wonderfully with my maculosus and black durgeon. I noticed that the water in the bag it came in had some left over food in it. About a day or two after it went into the tank, I noticed what I believed to be rapid gill movements. Tim Koberg from FFExpress suggested that I lower the temp of my tank from 80 deg to 76 deg. His reasoning was that the passer is collected from cooler water. So I did that. he did say that if problems still persisted then it was prolly a gill parasite but that a "strong, healthy fish like a passer should be able to fight it off w/o medication" My passer never seems scared, swims fast and all the time and gets his far share of the food. I feed three times a day, Angel formula, trigger formula, and formula 2 and the passer is as big a pig as my other two fish. However, I have noticed him scratching. I DO NOT see and visible parasites and I actually think his gill movements may have returned to normal. What do you think? Should I do a fresh water dip? Should I install a UV sterilizer that I have in non-use in my basement? Any advice would be appreciated. Have a good holiday- Yaron >> >> TK's advice seems sound... and/but it's too late for a dip... what happened to quarantining the new livestock? I would attach the UV and hope for the best at this point. Bob Fenner

Passer Angel I recently wrote to about what types of food to feed my Passer Angel. He was eating a variety of frozen foods and "popcorn" shrimp. He has now stopped eating and gone into hiding. He has very rapid gill movements and his swimming is very sporadic. He does not have any external parasites or markings that I can see. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. >> Do you suspect some sort of "gill parasite"? Did you introduce something to the system that might have brought this in? Do you have any biological cleaners? This angel will "present" itself to unfamiliar ones... I would place them... maybe Lysmata Shrimp(s). Or, another real possibility... some form of chemical poisoning/trauma... a very large water change, change in salt mix, loss of protocol of pre-mixing before use... utilization of a "medication", "supplement" that could well have "burned" the animals gills.... Do you have the fish in a system with Live Rock? I would... and wait a good week w/o "doing" anything (don't move, dip, net the fish) and see if the situation solves itself. Better to be a patient observer at this point. Bob Fenner

Passer angel I have a 75 gallon fish-only system that has been running about 8 months. I have a wet/dry filtration system with a built-in-protein skimmer. I recently purchased a Passer (King) Angelfish and a Harlequin Sweetlips. I am having a hard time finding foods that they will eat. The Passer will take brine shrimp and blood worms, but the Sweetlips will not eat anything. What foods do you recommend? >> Actually, I would return the Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus spp.)... my least favorite group of grunts (family Haemulidae)... they rarely eat anything in captivity... have the worst score for historical survivability... Try some of the frozen "Angel" foods to get the Passer eating prepared foods... it will soon be accepting most any/everything. Bob Fenner, whose many survey pieces on suitable and not species can be found on the URL: www.wetwebmedia.com

Angelfishes for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Please visit our Sponsors