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FAQs on Genus Chaetodontoplus Angels Foods/Feeding/Nutrition

Related Articles: Chaetodontoplus Angels,

Related FAQs: Chaetodontoplus Angels 1, Chaetodontoplus  Angels 2, & FAQs on: Chaetodontoplus Identification, Chaetodontoplus Behavior, Chaetodontoplus Compatibility, Chaetodontoplus Selection, Chaetodontoplus Systems, Chaetodontoplus Disease, Chaetodontoplus Reproduction, Marine Angelfishes In General, Angelfish ID, Selection, Behavior, Compatibility, Health, Feeding, Disease,   

Angelfishes for  Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
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by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10
Hi Crew
<Hello Ignatio>
I bought a 9" Scribbled Angelfish 1 week ago and I'm having trouble to get him to eat. The only thing that he eats only live Mysis shrimp and chopped shrimp (in small amount). I have tried Nori, pellets but he ignored them. I put him in 220 gallon (water parameter is ok) with 2, 4" Regal Angel and 4 pygmy angelfishes. Sometimes I see him nip on live rock but sometimes I've seen him behave not normal/not active searching for food... he floats in the corner but still aware if I come near to him.
Need advise how long normally it would takes for him to eat aggressively (eats with various diet) and what do you think the success rate for big scribbled angelfish to keep them in captivity.
<A healthy, properly acclimated fish should begin feeding within a few days, no real time frame exists.
Scribbled angelfish eat sponges and tunicates in the wild, so offer frozen food formulations (Ocean Nutrition Angelfish Food) that contain a lot of sponge tissue in their food. Supplementing with Mysis, chopped shellfish, enriched brine shrimp and dried algae (Nori) including vitamin supplements such as Selcon are highly recommended. As for the success rate, I would rate the degree of difficulty a 5 to 6 on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the most difficult as would be your Regal Angelfish. It is always best to observe fish eating a variety of foods before purchasing.>
thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
brgds
Ignatio
Re Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10 - 8/31/10

Thanks James for your input.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
brgds
Ignatio 
Re Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10 - 8/31/10 - 9/7/10

Dear James
<Ignatio>
Back again on the road ... I did what have you suggested, I mix Selcon with chopped shrimp+nori+spinach+squid... and seems he liked it but today he refused (he spit it out) and he just only eat directly from my hand (only chopped shrimp
without any mixing) and didn't want to take food in the bottom. Another problem is... seems he doesn't "fit" in there, his behaviour is not normal. He swam left.. right and then floating in the corner....So what do you suggest then..should I take it out the regal.. in order for him to be the "boss".
<I do not believe that to be the problem, but more so an acclimation problem. Large specimens such as yours are generally more problematic to acclimate. Best chances to wean away from wild foods are with specimens 4-5 inches long. What are your tank parameters/test readings?
You did not mention these in the previous threads.>
thanks for your advise ..again
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
brgds
Ignatio
Re Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10 - 9/8/10

Hi James
<Hello Ignatio>
Water parameter is ok
<Whatever that may be.>
otherwise my Regal and Pygmy angel would stress also. Today I try to arrange my rock to be rocky high enough and yes I knew it is best to acquire smaller specimen but in lfs I've seen he ate chopped shrimp already and he seems aggressive ok anyway I've learned my lesson.
thanks James
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
brgds
Ignatio
Re Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10 - 8/31/10 - 9/7/10 9/20/10

Hi James
<Hello Ignatio>
Finally the fish is ok now, he eats a lot of pellets, mixed seafood and Nori.
thanks for your advise anyway.
<You're welcome.>
Sorry for another question for you, coz it's really bothering me some times ago.
I had a 5" female Scribbled Angelfish 2 years ago and this is regarding the swollen stomach area... it has a bulged out belly on the left and right side. I read also many people had a same problem with this ..with Scribbled Angelfish.
The first time I received this fish, seems it is Ok, feeding and behavior for 1 month, and suddenly I notice it has a bump in the left and right side of the stomach area, and the fish also seems stress, floating in the corner, and never eat the food I offered and eventually she died after 2 weeks.
How can it be happening? the water parameter are all ok, all the fish except her is behaving normally.
Now I saw my new scribbled also had a small swollen in the stomach area, should I worried now? Is this because of the stress, then screwed the digestion system of the fish so the fish cannot defecate? Or another infection maybe?
<Mmm, now we are getting into something I'm not real familiar with. My best guess is that damage to the gas bladder may have occurred and/or the possibility of a idiopathic tumour. I'm not sure if either is curable and I will ask Mr. Fenner for his valued input here.><<My two most likely explanations are the same as yours James... Perhaps this is and was the result of botched de-gassing on capture... Nothing treatment wise to do. RMF>>
thanks James
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Ignatio
Re Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10 - 8/31/10 - 9/7/10 - 9/20/10

Hello Ignatio,
Should you miss the daily FAQ's today/tomorrow, below is Mr. Fenner's comment regarding your query.
<<My two most likely explanations are the same as yours James... Perhaps this is and was the result of botched de-gassing on capture... Nothing treatment wise to do. RMF>>
Cheers, James (Salty Dog) <Ahh, I always send such responses to the original querior as well James. B>
Re Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10 - 8/31/10 - 9/7/10 - 9/20/10 - 9/21/10
Hi James, Hi Mr. Fenner
<Hello Ignatio>
Thanks for your input. I've read also Epsom salt sometimes can treat this problem, should I try it? (when my fish will begun have no appetite)
<?...In Mr. Fenner's comment that I sent you, he stated "My two most likely explanations are the same as yours James... Perhaps this is and was the result of botched de-gassing on capture... Nothing treatment wise to do. RMF". Need I say more?>
thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Ignatio
Re Scribbled Angelfish/Angelfish Feeding 8/30/10 - 9/22/10

Ok James I understand actually, just only still want to save this fish.
<I understand your concern, Ignatio. I would not want to lose a gorgeous fish as well. All you can do is maintain the best water quality possible and feed healthy foods soaked in Selcon or a similar product and hope for the best.>
Anyway thanks a lot.
<You're welcome, and good luck. James (Salty Dog)>
Ignatio

Singapore Angel Not Eating For One Day'¦No Panicking Just yet; 3-23-2008 Hi <<Peter.>> Nice to meet you again :) <<Well I don't remember the first time . . . I hope cocktails were not involved.>> My Singapore angelfish is the newest fish I have for almost a month, he was suddenly not eating since yesterday, and now. <<A very short amount of time I would not panic just quite yet.>> Don't know what went wrong? <<A lot of variables to consider.>> He was eating very well on any foods I drop into the tank, but now he seem to ignore at the foods, and also his mouth seem not opening as usual. <<Do you see any apparent wounds or was there any trauma'¦bullying/outside forces on the tank?>> Any details I can follow to make him back to normal? <<At this point I would not worry, not eating for a day isn't cause for panic if the specimen is exhibiting otherwise normal behavior. I could give some recommendations as to the animals diet but I would like to know what you are feeding? Also can you provide other details, size of specimen, tank mates, tank set up, water parameter, did you quarantine the animal and for how long? All in all don't stress yet it's common for animals, even in the wild, to fast from time to time. In the meantime please read through WWM FAQs re marine angels.>> Thanks <<Welcome.>> Peter <<Adam J.>>

Feeding gray poma -03/13/08 Hi folks, I use the site often, great resource and I have asked questions in the past. Always got good advice so now I have another. I recently acquired an adult gray poma angelfish. I did not order an adult but that is what came in. Without going into all the details, I ended up having to take him home the same day he arrived. I had a fully conditioned 55 gallon tank ready to use as a quarantine so I figured I was ok. I have had years of experience with angelfish but I am beating my head trying to get this thing to eat. I checked my water parameters, all levels were at zero, except nitrates - but that was negligible. Specific gravity is about 1.026, a bit high but not harmful. I have tried Mysis, Nori, brine shrimp, bloodworms, prime reef flake, frozen angel formula smashed on a rock - all this fish does is swim around this stuff and ignore it. It is alert, reactive, inquisitive, even harasses the damsels that are always in there but I haven't even seen him pick on the live rock. No sign of a parasite, there is algae growing on the back glass - never touches it. I have run out of tricks. Any ideas? It has been about 9 days since he's been in the tank. Ultimately he was going into a 90 gallon but not until I have him eating, he'd never compete in that system. <Try New Life Spectrum foods for marine fishes... might work.> thanks for any ideas Rob <De nada and good luck, Sara M.>

Butterfly Fish/Feeding 3/1/08 Hi again, <Hello Peter> I'm interest in going to your website I have been learned there before I go in aquarium I have success quite a while with tropical freshwater I started saltwater from the summer, 2005 Lately I've got a new fish as butterfly fish it's been 4 days in my tank and noticed that he haven't start eating so what do I do to make him eating I've remembered my first Ocellaris clownfish start eating after 1 night. but this one never eating at all, so any recommended diet for him? <Peter, what kind of Butterfly Fish do you have? James (Salty Dog)> Thank you, Peter

Re: Butterfly Fish/Feeding, and Angel ID  3/2/08 Hi again and thanks for your reply. <You're welcome.> I really don't know the name of butterfly fish I have I may try to attach a picture hmm.. the picture maybe too dark for you to see. <Not too dark, but awfully blurry. From what I can see, this is not a Butterfly Fish but a Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus, commonly called a Singapore Angelfish. Not an easy fish to acclimate. Do provide plenty of hiding places and do not keep with aggressive tank mates. You may want to try feeding some finely shaved shrimp or brine shrimp with Spirulina algae to get it going. A Caulerpa growth in the tank will also help. Do read here for more info. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/chaetodonoplus/index.htm  James (Salty Dog)>

Re: Butterfly Fish/Feeding 3/3/08 What a wonderful info, and it's true an angelfish :) I thought it's a butterfly fish. Thank You
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Uh, yeah. RMF.

Grey Poma I recently bought a 4" Grey Poma angel. It's in my 60 gallon reef until I'm confident enough to put it in the 240.  <Good idea> My water parameters are 0 ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Temperature is 78. I have 1 marine Betta, 2 green clown gobies, 1 sailfin tang, 1 Wardley's wrasse, and 1 tomato clown. The Angel is eating, but it's getting skinny. I'm thinking intestinal parasites. <Possible> I feed a lot, but the fish is extremely shy, the tang is a pig. I was wondering if I took the tang out and put it in the 240 until the Poma is all nice and fat would make a difference. <Maybe, or...> Or I can put the Poma in the 240. the 240 has 6 true perculas, 1 blue damsel, and 2 striped. the water is 76°. It's been set up for 1.5 months. It's relatively understocked for now. I'm not sure of the water parameters. I feed flakes, frozen Mysis, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, Angel Formula. I'm trying to get it to nibble at the Angel Formula, but the other fish get to it first. It'll eat everything else. <I would move this fish... and possibly try soaking whatever it is eating in one of those new "Garlic" materials (or make your own)... I don't endorse their use for "Ich" remedying... but have seen positive results for "skinny fish" (presumed intestinal parasite) disorders (especially in Puffers)... And do try placing some new live rock (a type with a maximum amount of sponge and tunicate material on/in it. This will help on a few counts... as food, water conditioner and disrupter of current hierarchies. Bob Fenner, who would do all this for your Chaetodontoplus soon, like now>

Re: your personal dealings with the Personifer/meredithi what kinds of food would you recommend? <As wide an offering of prepared mashes and frozen "formula" foods as you can offer, or make...> my reef has a growing crop of macro algae, so there will be a constant source of macro algae. I have this leather like stuff growing on the bottom of my live rock. it has spouts on it. it has "veins" well looks like it anyways. its also transparent in some places, white mostly. is that a tunicate? <Maybe... more likely a type of encrusting sponge. Bob Fenner>
Re: your personal dealings with the Personifer/meredithi
if it is a tunicate or encrusting sponge. why wont any angels touch it? do they only eat certain types? <Of a certainty yes. There are some very distasteful, even toxic sponges and sea squirts... Bob Fenner>

Vermiculated Angel Hello! I doubt you remember my, but I wrote you this past fall about xenia-eating butterflies!  <I do remember> Anyway my FOWLR is doing marvelously, I now have a small Raffle's BF and a threadfin. Both are doing very well and eating like goldfish! (pigs don't swim!) <Actually, they do... admirably> So I was at the local fish store this weekend and noticed this very beautiful Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus for a very reasonable price. It was rather small. only 2-3 inches, but seemed in very good health and was picking at the rockwork in the tank. So I brought her home with me.....such beauty is irresistible. I did your recommended fresh water/Methylene Blue dip, which she did not take kindly to, but recovery came quickly. Didn't see any eating the first few days, but this is nothing unusual. Now here is the catch, she was getting noticeably thin in the belly area, and that has stopped. The belly is nice and full so she is eating something. But she ignores food I put in the tank. I have tried Formula I and II, live brine, and blackworms. She picks at the rock, but I don't see her consuming anything of visible size. I think in the short term I am o.k. here. She is feeding on the live rock and that is keeping her happy. But I am worried about the long term. I don't think it is feasible that the live rock will be enough for the years to come.  <Perhaps a larger system with more live rock?> Do you have suggestions as to foods to try? Should I just be patient with the foods I am adding for the BF and hope that she comes to the table? The BF's eat so voraciously I am afraid they might scare her away? <All these are possibilities... sometime with growth, experience these animals become more generalized feeders... Maybe a sump, live rock, macro-algae, Mysid culture....> Suggestions? Thoughts? Thanks in advance for your time! Jim Coughlin <As long as the fish is full and interested don't be overly concerned. Keep offering a mix of frozen/defrosted crustaceans and worms... Bob Fenner>

Conspicuous (Angel, that is) Hi Bob, I am an importer of fresh Nori seaweed and supply Tropical Marine Centre here in the UK. <Yes, good folks/friends, sell them my articles, images...> I also set up and maintain reef aquariums with about 1000 gallons of my own. I have been given a Conspicuous Angel fish with the daunting task of trying to get it to feed. It has been in my tank for about 4 days and when I received it has a nasty mark on its side which I treated with mercuric bromide and has now nearly cleared up.  <Good move and speedy> The fish is definitely 'picking' at some xenia and the odd bit of food but is not eating substantially and hasn't done so for about 4 weeks since it was bought into the country. I do not believe that the fish has 'given up' on living and there are encouraging signs. I would, however, appreciate any hints tips, experience with this reputedly difficult to keep species as I loathe the thought of it slowly dying in my tank. <I as well... if this fish is of size (like over 10cm/4in) I would go quickly to the oriental food store of size and inquire as to whether they stock dried tunicates/sea squirts, sponges and jellyfish... soak these materials in freshwater to do your best to reconstitute them... and offer a few times a day (removing in a few minutes if unaccepted)... If the specimen is smaller, do place it in one of your most established, largest systems with live rock (or add new live rock with obvious sponge material on it)... If the animal starts to accept any foods, do soak them in Microvit, Selcon, equivalent vitamin prep. If the animal starts to appear appreciatively concave, let's talk about preparing a mash and tube feeding it forcibly with a plastic baster.> Any info would be helpful. many thanks Best regards, Martin <I, and my thoughts are with you. Bob Fenner>

Re: Conspicuous Thanks for the very rapid reply. Just to add that it is already looking concave. There is a very large oriental hypermarket near here and will try buying them out of any weird jellyfish, squirts and anything else they have to encourage this fish. Like I said it is picking and therefore am a little optimistic. <Ah good... and to offer more support/background here, have actually seen this Angel and related species in the genus eating these in the wild, as well as reading stomach/gut contents analysis work by fisheries folks... Some pix I believe stored on my site: www.WetWebMedia.com > One thing I have noticed is that when it tries to eat something in doesn't quite go near enough to 'gobble' it up...it just kind of nips it. I do have living sponges (orange) in the tank but if Chinatown has some other dried/canned species will grab it. I am loathed to try catching and tube feeding...can this really be done? if so how? I am worried that the stress of doing it would kill it. What do you think? <Yes, can be done... as last resort... as you understand, very stressful.> Best regards, Martin <Life to you my friend, Bob Fenner>

Finicky Angel Dear Bob, <Hi there! Scott F. here today> I purchased a Singapore angel about a month and a half ago.  After a small outbreak of Ich the fish has been pretty healthy.  However the problem is he will not eat. <An all-too-common problem with these fishes, unfortunately> I have him in a 85 gallon FOWLR, however most of the live rock is covered in coralline algae.  I did try to give him some fresh macroalgae, but my Yellow Tang wolfed it down (he only got a little bit).  I have tried every other type of food imaginable.  He is only about 3-4 inches long.  The Singapore has gotten noticeably thinner.  Could I put him in a 20 gallon reef that contains a lot of different macroalgae? <That may be a good idea, too help "turn the corner" on this finicky eater. I'd give it a shot for a while.> The only corals are button polyps, mushrooms, and starburst polyps.  He will only be in there for about a month until I can set-up a 55 gallon FOWLR (hopefully to become a reef). Thank you. Sam Reef <The Singapore will nibble on soft corals and Zoanthids, so do be prepared for some losses. Certainly avoid LPS corals. However, if it were me- that's a risk I'd be willing to take to keep this beautiful fish alive. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Help for a (Singapore) angel.....please... fdg.   5/27/06 Hello-I sent you a question 2 weeks ago but no one replied. <Mmm, don't recall seeing this. Thanks for re-sending> Anyway I have another question, but this time it's a matter of life and death! <Yikes! Some drama now!>   I purchased a vermiculated Singapore angel and it has been in quarantine for the past 3 weeks. The problem is that I can't get it to feed. <Some don't...> It is an incredibly shy fish-I have never encountered any like it. It often picks at my rocks and I'm not certain if it's eating the hair algae or the large number of pods in the qt tank. Either way, it always has an apparent full belly! However when whatever it is eating runs out, I'm afraid that it won't eat. I have offered it sushi Nori and flake/pellet food <?> but it completely ignores them. Do you have any suggestions for how/what I can feed this unbelievably flighty fish? THANK YOU! <Is just a very shy species... best to place in the main system, keep trying to add small meaty zooplanktivorous foods, plenty of live rock, a healthy DSB et al. in a tied-in refugium. Please take a read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/chaetodonoplus/faqs.htm Bob Fenner>

Angelfish/Feeding  3/30/06 Hello James! (maybe Bob ?:-)  <James today>  Thank you very very much for the quick reply! I really do not want to get on your nerves, but I have another problem.  I have a Vermiculated Angelfish, and he has got white spots all over him. See picture. Otherwise he is very healthy, swimming a lot, and eats right. I'd appreciate any advice from you.  <Sonny, a very difficult angel to acclimate/keep to begin with.  I believe the problem you have here is largely due to nutrition and water quality.  Salinity should be kept closer to the higher end of the scale and weekly 10% water changes are recommended.  These fish feed on tunicates, sponges, etc. in nature.  An angel formula should be fed, such as Ocean Nutrition, as it does contain sponge and other foods  they feed on.  I wouldn't treat the fish but concentrate on water quality and nutrition.  I see you mention 'eats right'.  Just what does this include?  Do read here for more info on marine angelfish.  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/index.htm Thanks again guys! Sincerely, Sonny.   <You're welcome.   In future queries, please do not use italics, bold, and/or colored print.  James (Salty Dog) P.S: The fish doesn't scratch at all. Very strange. <<This fish is being poisoned... ammonia, nitrate... something else... RMF>>

Personifer (Blue Masked Angel)...Feeding   8/4/06 Hallo Mr. Bob Fenner, <James with you today.> My name is Trevor and I thank you for taking the time to answer my queries. <You're welcome.> I recently asked my supplier to get me a 4" male Personifer Angelfish. He got me a 19- 10" angel. <19-10"???  Show quality for sure.> When I protested about the size, he gave the fish to me at no cost because he said he would never sell it. <Lucky you...so far.> I must say it is a stunning fish but I need some advice in maintaining this fish as well as feeding it. It is housed at the moment in a 250 gal tank ( 6' x 2' x 30"). I do realize that a larger tank is required <Tank should be large enough.> and that will come soon but at the moment, I really need to know what foods I should be feeding it because at the moment it does not eat. <Not unusual at first, but would have been a wonderful idea to do all the research before you ordered the fish.> Also if I may, is it possible to house a male and female Personifer together in the same tank? <Would be iffy as they are semi-aggressive, and I'd try to keep this one alive first.  As far as foods, I'd try Spirulina, marine algae, Ocean Nutrition Angel Preparation, Mysid and/or frozen shrimp.  Do read here and related links.  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/index.htm> Thanks heaps, <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Trevor Goodson

Gray Poma Wont Eat?  9/10/07 Hi Crew I'm at my wits end. I bought a Gray Poma 3 weeks ago today. It is still in QT and looks very healthy but will not eat anything???? <Could be the stress of collection/holding/shipping... or just the QT...> I have tried formula one and two, frozen angel formula, Mysis shrimp, krill and I even bought a red ball sponge that he doesn't seem to be eating. Ho swims about and checks everything out but will not eat and is starting to look thin. He's about 4-5 inches <A good size> and his colors are great. Anything I can try before he dies? <Yes... live rock... and if not this quickly, dipping and moving this specimen to the main display> Is this a hard fish to get to eat? <Chaetodontoplus angels can be> Any thought would be so much appreciated. Thanks Crew <Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Scribbled Angelfish Finicky Angelfish... fdg.  12/1/2007 I am having trouble getting a 9" Scribbled Angel to eat enough for his size. I have tried shrimp, scallops, mussels, Nori, Caulerpa and frozen preparations for Angelfish. He is in a 210 tank with only a Flame Angel, 5 damsels, Snowflake Eel, and some urchins. Water quality is excellent. The only foods he is eating at all is a preparation I make with shrimp, scallops, red algae, and green algae ground up together. Any suggestions? James Wedel <Well, James, I'd consider feeding frozen Mysis shrimp. There are several quality brands out there, such as Hikari or Piscine Energetics, which I really favor. They are high in protein and essential fatty acids, providing both excellent nutrition and natural appetite stimulation for the fish. In my experience, even rather finicky fish do eat this food. Of course, you could always try the old standby, frozen brine shrimp, but only after enriching with a vitamin solution, such as Vita Chem or Selcon. Another old trick is to cut open a small, fresh clam and placing it on a rock in the half shell. Personally, I have rarely used this technique, as Mysis seems to work for me. The food you are preparing seems quite good, but I agree that it is important to offer a variety for the long-term health of your fish. Best of luck to you on your effort! Regards, Scott F.>

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
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