Flameback Angel Behavior Change

[amannelin]

Hi all, my Flameback angel has been in my display tank for about 4 weeks now, and last night it’s swimming became more erratic and he was giving little head shakes. This morning he has been swimming around fine but a little quicker than usual. When I fed this morning he ate the most food I’ve seen it eat and it ate much more aggressively. Is this normal behavior or should I be concerned? Physically I can’t see an issues and my water parameters are all good. All the other fish in the tank are acting normally as well.

 

[i cant think]

Hi all, my Flameback angel has been in my display tank for about 4 weeks now, and last night it’s swimming became more erratic and he was giving little head shakes. This morning he has been swimming around fine but a little quicker than usual. When I fed this morning he ate the most food I’ve seen it eat and it ate much more aggressively. Is this normal behavior or should I be concerned? Physically I can’t see an issues and my water parameters are all good. All the other fish in the tank are acting normally as well.

How big is the tank? And can we get an FTS of the rock?

 

[nereefpat]

Welcome to R2R.

Head shaking can be a sign of flukes. PraziPro can work for that, and it can be used in a display. It could also be nothing. Do you practice any QT for new fishes?

 

[Cheese Griller]

Hi all, my Flameback angel has been in my display tank for about 4 weeks now, and last night it’s swimming became more erratic and he was giving little head shakes. This morning he has been swimming around fine but a little quicker than usual. When I fed this morning he ate the most food I’ve seen it eat and it ate much more aggressively. Is this normal behavior or should I be concerned? Physically I can’t see an issues and my water parameters are all good. All the other fish in the tank are acting normally as well.

Are the fins clamped at all? The head shakes remind me of a similar situation I had two months ago with my flameback and it turned out to be flukes, which I was able to treat and now it's back to normal.

 

[Shibaken3]

+1 to fluke

Welcome to R2R.

Head shaking can be a sign of flukes. PraziPro can work for that, and it can be used in a display. It could also be nothing. Do you practice any QT for new fishes?

 

[amannelin]

How big is the tank? And can we get an FTS of the rock?

Hey I’m not sure what FTS is, but the system is 30gallons total and the display is 15

 

[Shibaken3]

Hey I’m not sure what FTS is, but the system is 30gallons total and the display is 15

that is so small...

 

[Cheese Griller]

Hey I’m not sure what FTS is, but the system is 30gallons total and the display is 15

FTS would be a full tank shot. IMO a 15 gallon display is too small for a flameback, which is likely the root cause for a stressed out fish which in turns makes it more susceptible to parasites like flukes

 

[amannelin]

Welcome to R2R.

Head shaking can be a sign of flukes. PraziPro can work for that, and it can be used in a display. It could also be nothing. Do you practice any QT for new fishes?

Hi, thanks for the response. I have Prazi on hand, just wanna make sure it’s safe for my inverts. I unfortunately don’t have a QT tank but my LFS quarantines for a little while before selling the fish. I know not having a QT setup is less than ideal and I’m working to get one going.

 

[amannelin]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Im new to saltwater and was heavily recommended the fish for my setup by my LFS. The fish is only about an inch and a half right now and I am getting a 70 gallon tank shortly. I will move him over asap. I only want the best for my tank and the inhabitants and might be over trusting of the advice my shop gives me, they have been “coaching” me every step of the way.

 

[Cheese Griller]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Im new to saltwater and was heavily recommended the fish for my setup by my LFS. The fish is only about an inch and a half right now and I am getting a 70 gallon tank shortly. I will move him over asap. I only want the best for my tank and the inhabitants and might be over trusting of the advice my shop gives me, they

A 70 gallon will be an excellent long-term home for a flameback. No shame in learning along the way, we've all been misadvised by shops in the past. But I would definitely be skeptical of this shop's advise in the future.

 

[amannelin]

I posted a text reply but for some reason popped up as a separate comment.

 

[amannelin]

A 70 gallon will be an excellent long-term home for a flameback. No shame in learning along the way, we've all been misadvised by shops in the past. But I would definitely be skeptical of this shop's advise in the future.

Yes, I definitely will be. I posted a few shots of the tank in a separate comment. If it is flukes, can I dose Prazipro into the display even with inverts?

 

[amannelin]

A 70 gallon will be an excellent long-term home for a flameback. No shame in learning along the way, we've all been misadvised by shops in the past. But I would definitely be skeptical of this shop's advise in the future.

Yes, I definitely will be. I posted a few shots of the tank in a separate comment. If it is flukes, can I dose Prazipro into the display even with inverts.

 

[Cheese Griller]

Yes, I definitely will be. I posted a few shots of the tank in a separate comment. If it is flukes, can I dose Prazipro into the display even with inverts?

For my fluke treatment I used prazi in my tank with LPS and softies and everything was fine. It's mostly reef safe, but can sometimes kill tube worms and feather dusters IIRC

 

[amannelin]

that is so small...

This has been brought to my attention, I’m working towards getting a 70g setup in the very near future. I just want a healthy tank with healthy inhabitants and appreciate the sound advice.

 

[nereefpat]

If it is flukes, can I dose Prazipro into the display even with inverts.

Yes. Certain 'worms' will be a possible casualty.

 

[Feartheturtle!22]

A 70 gallon will be an excellent long-term home for a flameback. No shame in learning along the way, we've all been misadvised by shops in the past. But I would definitely be skeptical of this shop's advise in the future.

Hi, On the bright side you now already have a QT tank. Hope your 70 comes soon! I am never surprised at what some dealers will do to make a sale. New concept, be honest, your business will thank you many times over for being so. I've been with my same LFD for 40 years and he's still there, because we all know he cares.