Is this fish okay to bring home?

1MCp · Nov 1, 2016

Hi everyone,

Quick question. I have a LFS that is selling flame angelfish, I have been wanting one for a while and I made some space for one.

I was planning to get it in a week or so, but when I went to look at it beforehand it looked to be sick? Maybe some sort of flesh wound. Anyone know if this is the kind of thing that might clear up? Or should I looked for another to bring home? It looks like the scale is slightly transparent and coming loose? It swims on its sides next to cleaner shrimps and cleaner wrasse as if it is requesting to be cleaned.

In the LFS tank it looks to be swimming actively around and pecking at rocks.

DeniseAndy · Nov 1, 2016

Honestly, unless you are set up to make sure to treat the fish and willing to spend the time and money with a possibly sick fish, I would pass. Could be injury or could be signs of more serious issue. JMO

coral-boss · Nov 1, 2016

+1 no reason to buy a sick fish from lfs no matter how bad I want it. If it's more than a flesh wound you could possibly put your other fish at risk.

1MCp · Nov 1, 2016

DeniseAndy said:
Honestly, unless you are set up to make sure to treat the fish and willing to spend the time and money with a possibly sick fish, I would pass. Could be injury or could be signs of more serious issue. JMO

coral-boss said:
+1 no reason to buy a sick fish from lfs no matter how bad I want it. If it's more than a flesh wound you could possibly put your other fish at risk.

Yeah thought so. Was thinking perhaps it's just something common with angelfish. I do have some medication, but I will not risk it. Perhaps when I go back in a week when I was planning to buy, it might be better and I'll reconsider.

Thank you

melypr1985 · Nov 1, 2016

looks to be the start of an infection. Possible other issues with parasites as the cause of the infection. As stated above, unless you're set up to deal with it and treat for these things, then I would pass. Heck, I'd pass anyway just on principle

steve&mari · Nov 1, 2016

Totally agree with @melypr1985

erinmegan85 · Nov 2, 2016

Didn't the coral beauty that you had have a similar spot? Did it come from the same LFS? If so I would kind of lean towards they have something going on with their system. I would steer clear from them for a while if that's the case.

Lionfish Lair · Nov 2, 2016

Agree to pass.

1MCp · Nov 2, 2016

erinmegan85 said:
Didn't the coral beauty that you had have a similar spot? Did it come from the same LFS? If so I would kind of lean towards they have something going on with their system. I would steer clear from them for a while if that's the case.

Different LFS but yes the symptoms looked similar. I was thinking this was a common angelfish thing, thought it could be treated in my QT tank. I shall wait for another chance to grab myself a flame angel. Thanks!