Sick Flame Angel?

[Dee11]

Hi. I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to fish keeping but I'm trying my hardest to ensure that I'm doing everything correctly.
My new addition to the tank a Flame Angel is acting slightly odd. He started off swimming around happily nibbling on the rock but that last few days hes been obsessively swimming up and down the corner of the tank. I moved my bubbler to the corner as thought this was a habit hed gotten into so wanted to break it but he still keeps trying to get there.
Hes till eating a variety of flakes, pellets, dried blood worm etc. He just doesnt seem right.
Newish tank 2 months or so Nitrates can get high but did about a 60% water change the other day to lower this. PH is fine hovers at 8ppm. Amonia and Nitrates at 0. Salentity at 25ppm temp hovers between 26°c and 27.5°c. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Dee11]

Also to add I have 2 yellow tail Damzels in the same tank and have had them for over a month and no issues. Even now they're acting completely normal.

 

[OrionN]

The angel looks OK to me. They would be happier if you have a lot more rocks in the system. It is relatively bare, and his is just not comfortable.

 

[Malifry97]

The angel looks OK to me. They would be happier if you have a lot more rocks in the system. It is relatively bare, and his is just not comfortable.

+1 to more rocks

 

[Dee11]

The angel looks OK to me. They would be happier if you have a lot more rocks in the system. It is relatively bare, and his is just not comfortable.

Thanks for the reply! I do have more rock I've attached a photo. Is this not sufficient? Do I need more?
I need to clean the substrate again but scared to stress him out although parameters are still fine.

 

[Malifry97]

Thanks for the reply! I do have more rock I've attached a photo. Is this not sufficient? Do I need more?
I need to clean the substrate again but scared to stress him out although parameters are still fine.

You definitely need much more rock. Not just for the angel but for any other fish you get. I think you’ll find you also like it too

 

[Dee11]

You definitely need much more rock. Not just for the angel but for any other fish you get. I think you’ll find you also like it too

Ok rock I can do. Do you think hes anxious because of the lack of rock? The fish shop only had one tiny piece in the tank when I got him?
Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.

 

[Malifry97]

Ok rock I can do. Do you think hes anxious because of the lack of rock? The fish shop only had one tiny piece in the tank when I got him?
Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.

Yeah I think he is anxious due to this. Many fish like to have their own little nook to retreat to when they get scared

 

[Dee11]

Yeah I think he is anxious due to this. Many fish like to have their own little nook to retreat to when they get scared

Brilliant. I'll get him some more rock. However he only bothers with two small pieces I have but I'll try anything!

 

[Florida Sunshine]

More rock will also help with nutrient control.

 

[Dee11]

More rock will also help with nutrient control.

Thanks. I'll go and get more tomorrow. I read somewhere when I first started that you could have a FO marine tank. I'm learning very quickly that isnt the case!
I'm just worried hes sick.
Are there common issues with the Flame Angles I need to prepare for?
I already have a stock of the API metafix and anti parasite slime and velvet solution. I researched everything before I got him thinking I was prepared but never thought to look into what to do if they got sick! My lack of knowlege could be fatal for my little buddy and now I feel awful.

 

[Florida Sunshine]

You can keep a tank without live rock, but you will need something else for filtration. Most of us use the bacteria in/on the live rock to process the ammonia excreted by the fish, but that is not the only way to run a tank. Some use canister filters or even trickle filters for biological filtration.
What the flame is likely looking for is hiding places. If you want to provide those hiding spaces in a different way, that is really up to you.
I am not aware of anything specific about flame angels, but definitely check out our disease forum to get a feel for the issues and treatments common in the hobby.

 

[OrionN]

Flame angel swim in and out of the rock structure. Get rocks that have large crevices in it and arrange so that there are caves and hiding place for him to be in.

 

[Dee11]

You can keep a tank without live rock, but you will need something else for filtration. Most of us use the bacteria in/on the live rock to process the ammonia excreted by the fish, but that is not the only way to run a tank. Some use canister filters or even trickle filters for biological filtration.
What the flame is likely looking for is hiding places. If you want to provide those hiding spaces in a different way, that is really up to you.
I am not aware of anything specific about flame angels, but definitely check out our disease forum to get a feel for the issues and treatments common in the hobby.

Thanks I appreciate the assistance

 

[Malifry97]

Brilliant. I'll get him some more rock. However he only bothers with two small pieces I have but I'll try anything!

Ok cool!