New DD venustus angel.

[Toddrtrex]

The FedEx man came this morning and dropped off a new venustus angel that I had ordered from the Diver's Den section of LA. As usual came in packaged great. And was pleased that the recent weather didn't delay the shipment -- the tornado sirens were going off yesterday -- in fact it was dropped off at 9:30.

Here is the box...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel.jpg

Drip acclimating (( after floating for temp ))

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel2.jpg

Since I had to go to work, I put it in a little breeder box -- so I wouldn't have to worry about it.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel3.jpg

When I got home from work, I released it from the box, and it started to hang out in the corner.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel4.jpg

Like the little yellow spot.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel6.jpg

And lastly a close up

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel9.jpg


Shortly after I released it, I thought I would through some food in there -- it was the normal time that I feed all the fish. At first it ignored it, which I wasn't surprised about, since it had only been released for 5 minutes. But, it then went after a few pieces of Rod's food. About 2 hours later I put in some PE mysis and it eat them very aggressively, which I was surprised/pleased about. The other fish in the tank don't seem to care at all about the new guy.

[HomeSlizzice]

BEAUTIFUL Venustus, thats great to hear its eating so well. Nice pickup man :thumbsup:

[roktsintst]

Very nice bud! They are a beautiful fish, but very difficult. You got a great fish and the fact that it is eating already is excellent new!

Congrats!

[Iwishihadgills]

nice!!!!!!!!!!

[BPCEO]

Very beautiful pick up! I hope to some day stumble across a pair/ trio and have the extra dough at the moment :)

[recife111]

nice fish, hopefully you can keep it alive, very hard fish to get eating.

[Toddrtrex]

BEAUTIFUL Venustus, thats great to hear its eating so well. Nice pickup man :thumbsup:

Thanks alot. When I saw it on DD, I had to get it.

Very nice bud! They are a beautiful fish, but very difficult. You got a great fish and the fact that it is eating already is excellent new!

Congrats!

Thanks. Give it another snack before lights off, and it ate again. So far it has eaten 4 times tonight -- small meals.

nice!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks.

Very beautiful pick up! I hope to some day stumble across a pair/ trio and have the extra dough at the moment :)

A pair or trio would be something to see.

[readmeli]

Great pics Todd that is a super fish and I do like the little yellow spot! thanks for sharing the photos.

[GoingPostal]

Beautiful! Really a stunning angel, hope it does well for you, sounds like it's off to a good start.

[Toddrtrex]

Great pics Todd that is a super fish and I do like the little yellow spot! thanks for sharing the photos.

Thanks Melissa, it is doing great.

Beautiful! Really a stunning angel, hope it does well for you, sounds like it's off to a good start.

Granted, it has been less then 24 hours, but so far it is doing better then I expect.


And was able to get a few more pictures last night, which include my "golden" angel.

Have both in this picture -- looks like there had been fighting, but the venustus, was just finishing picking at the underside of a monti. They really didn't seem to care one bit about each other. And if things do change I have other tanks to move of them them to.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/GoldenandVenustus.jpg


And then just the golden by itself -- which is hard to get since it is fairly shy, had to use my 55-200mm lens and was about 7 feet away from the tank.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/Golden7.jpg

[blface]

Awesome addition! I just added one to my tank also. In that last pic the venustus is definetly in a defensive posture, with its dorsal spines spread out for protection. I watched mine do this when my PITA kole tang was attacking it. Here's a pick of mine. It loves NLS pellets.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/thiellei/IMG_4112.jpg

[Romewhip]

oh man, two of my faves in the same tank. congrats on the venustus, it's a beauty

[melanotaenia]

two very difficult fish to keep, good to see you are having such good luck with them. Hope that you have many years of enjoyment to come from those little guys; they are two of my favorites Angels!

[michael_cb_125]

Peter- You make me sick!

I was giving the girl my Credit Card number when she said, "whoops its gone".

At least now I know it went to a good home ;)

~Michael

[Toddrtrex]

Peter- You make me sick!

I was giving the girl my Credit Card number when she said, "whoops its gone".

At least now I know it went to a good home ;)

~Michael

Did you mean Todd, instead of Peter? :)

Sorry about that. The DD email came early that day, and I was still at work and able to jump on it.


Just got home from work and feed the tanks again -- he was a lot more aggressive with the feeding tonight. Was actively searching out the food, as opposed to anything that came towards it.

Is exploring the tank more, though still tends to stay away from the corner with the pink skunk pair. Like seeing it swimming though the rock work and exploring.

[drtrash]

are they reef safe or are coral losses to be expected

[Toddrtrex]

are they reef safe or are coral losses to be expected

I think like any dwarf, each one is going to be different. I have noticed this one picking at a few SPS and LPS -- but haven't seen any damage as of yet.



It is still eating great, and seems to like LifeLine's Herbivore mix as well as the others listed above. It is starting to figure out that when I put my hand near the water I am most likely going to feed.

A picture from tonight,

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel10.jpg

[Recty]

It's a very nice fish, I really like the looks of it. Your rock looks very nice too, nice and alive :)

[nonimmigrant]

I was just going to tell you that we call Venustus Angels here in China "6 Month Angels" because they typically only live 6 months under normal circumstances. That said, however, if you have enough munchies to keep your Golden Pymgy going, then you should be fine. Many people say that there is a "secret ingredient" to their diet in the wild that is absent in a tank environment, which results in deficiency of some kind and then death. Don't know if that is true, but do make sure that you give them foods that contain sponge material if you do not already have good growth in your SPS tank. Good luck.

[jnc914]

Todd- Beautiful Venustus. I have always been gun shy with the fish. I would only try one from DFSLA. Continued luck with this fish. BTW, do you consider this a fish that does better forgoing QT (gasp!) and rather be placed in a mature reef tank? I have seen differing opinions with certain "delicate" species. I QT everything that goes into my tank, but this guy would likely be an exception.

[Sheol]

WOW! Nice pickup & eating too. That little spot really adds character, too!

Sincerely,
Matthew

[Toddrtrex]

It's a very nice fish, I really like the looks of it. Your rock looks very nice too, nice and alive :)

Thanks. Having to use the flash (( the MH's were out )) really brings out the color.


I was just going to tell you that we call Venustus Angels here in China "6 Month Angels" because they typically only live 6 months under normal circumstances. That said, however, if you have enough munchies to keep your Golden Pymgy going, then you should be fine. Many people say that there is a "secret ingredient" to their diet in the wild that is absent in a tank environment, which results in deficiency of some kind and then death. Don't know if that is true, but do make sure that you give them foods that contain sponge material if you do not already have good growth in your SPS tank. Good luck.

Thanks, and I hope that you are wrong. :) But, I have experienced that with a Potter once -- was doing great for 5+ months and then dead the next morning. That rock (( at least 95% of it )) has been in that tank for 3 years and have lots of "stuff" on it -- which will hopefully help. Funny enough it didn't care for the sponge based food that I offered.


Todd- Beautiful Venustus. I have always been gun shy with the fish. I would only try one from DFSLA. Continued luck with this fish. BTW, do you consider this a fish that does better forgoing QT (gasp!) and rather be placed in a mature reef tank? I have seen differing opinions with certain "delicate" species. I QT everything that goes into my tank, but this guy would likely be an exception.

Tough for me to answer that -- since the only fish that I have ever QT'ed was a pair of WC clowns. But, with that said, I do believe that delicate fish do do better in established tanks. Or if using a QT (( just for observation )) having mature live rock in there for it to pick at -- think that goes along way towards survival until the fish will eat prepared foods.

WOW! Nice pickup & eating too. That little spot really adds character, too!

Sincerely,
Matthew

Thanks a lot. Love that spot.

[Toddrtrex]

Nothing too important to report -- except that it is still eating great, and is getting more comfortable swimming into the clowns side of the tank. The female pink skunk will still chase it, but nothing too major.

Was able to get some pictures the other night...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel12.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustusangel11.jpg

The "evil" female skunk (( male in background ))

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/Pinkskunkpair1.jpg

And since I was able to get a picture of it, my golden dwarf

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/Golden10.jpg

[teddyzaper]

lol that blenny is like O_O

[LemonLemon]

lovely venustus angel.

they are difficult to acclimate to aquarium life. glad you got yours from a reputable source.

i've tried 3 times in total and all 3 failed. even while eating pellets, some just die for no "apparent" reason. have since given up on them for now but might try them again in the future or if i come across one that is feeding.

[stunreefer]

Great pics Todd :thumbsup:

Very glad to see she's still doing well for you!

[Toddrtrex]

lol that blenny is like O_O

I know, "he" always has some sort of look -- usually a guilty one.

lovely venustus angel.

they are difficult to acclimate to aquarium life. glad you got yours from a reputable source.

i've tried 3 times in total and all 3 failed. even while eating pellets, some just die for no "apparent" reason. have since given up on them for now but might try them again in the future or if i come across one that is feeding.

So far (( granted, it has only been 2 weeks )) it has acclimated really well -- already has figured out that if I am near the tank I most likely am going to feed it.

But, I have been in that boat before with a Potter's -- doing great, eating for months and then just dead, so we shall see. I think it coming from DD helps a lot.

Great pics Todd :thumbsup:

Very glad to see she's still doing well for you!


Thanks a lot. This fish isn't too camera shy, just as long as I don't do sudden movements when by the tank.

[Toddrtrex]

Been awhile, so I thought I would update this thread.

The Venustus is still doing great, and eats all the time.

Here is a sort of long video of it eating, and then just swimming around the tank,

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fySze-Bfak8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fySze-Bfak8?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

And a shorter one showing all 3 dwarfs. There has been some minor chasing here and there, but nothing too major and no nipped fins. Actually the pink skunk pair has done more chasing then anyone.

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_-Ma1xsjMTY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_-Ma1xsjMTY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

[twelvejewelz]

hey hows the angel doing? How long have you had him now and whats he eating ?

[Toddrtrex]

It has been just over 2 months, and it is still doing great. It eats; LifeLine's Herbivore mix, Prime Reef, PE Mysis and Rod's food (( red, green and blue labels )). It has also figured out when I am about to feed, and will be front and center waiting. And it seems to be perfectly fine with there being 2 other dwarf angels in the tank.

[Toddrtrex]

I have had this little guy for a little over a year now, and it is doing great. It is no longer in my 58 (( now a 65 )) with the other 2 dwarfs. Decided to move it to my 40 breeder when I moved. That tank is in the living room and I wanted to be able to see the fish more (( the 58/65 is in the loft )). It adjusted to the new tank and the move (( bought a new townhouse )) without issue and is growing.

Can sort of see the fish tank in this picture (( need to get a new picture that shows where the tank is ))

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/House/livingroomdone3.jpg

And a few new shots of the fish -- can notice that the yellow, near the top has fully extended.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustus1.jpg

Working on fattening it back up -- the move took a month (( painting, "hardwood" floors, adding cabinets to the kitchen, etc )) and I slacked on the feedings a bit.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustus2.jpg

[snorvich]

That is really one gorgeous fish.

[ENTMogul]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/venustus2.jpg

What a great picture!

[Toddrtrex]

That is really one gorgeous fish.

Thanks Steve

What a great picture!

Thank you. Though the fish makes it easy, is pretty much a ham and will stare at the camera (( though I have a feeling it just thinks it is getting fed. Speaking of, whenever we are at the dinning room table, it will swim to the corner and watch us eat ))

[jcw]

Thanks for updating this thread. Always nice to see a "difficult" fish continues to do well.

Despite your success, I still haven't pulled the trigger on a dwarf in my reef tank yet. :(

Congrats on completing the move!

[125mph]

Nice fish.. There's one at my lfs and i'm tempted to pull the trigger.. but he isn't eating at all and its been there a week....

[Toddrtrex]

The fish continues to do very well. If it didn't like fleshy corals, it would be, IMO, the perfect dwarf angel. Eats with gusto, doesn't bother the other fish at all, and yet isn't a wimp; would say it is the gentle leader of the tank. Plus, its personality is really cool.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/40%20breeder/fish2.jpg

[SDguy]

Gorgeous picture and fish, Todd.

[michael_cb_125]

Great to see one of these doing so well. I simply love the yellow/purple/blue coloration.

One of my favorite dwarf angels for sure!

~Michael

[ziyaadb]

awesome fish

[T ANGel Nut]

am thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these for a 187gallon tank. yours is amazing.

[copps]

Cool shots Todd! I love this species... I especially like this shot... but having studied Centropyge I know this look very well...

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx114/johnjcoppolino/venusta_thinking.jpg

Get that boy a sheila!:love2:

Copps

[Toddrtrex]

Gorgeous picture and fish, Todd.

Thanks a lot Peter.

Great to see one of these doing so well. I simply love the yellow/purple/blue coloration.

One of my favorite dwarf angels for sure!

~Michael

Thanks Michael. Yeah, the coloration is really great on these fish.

awesome fish

Thanks.

am thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these for a 187gallon tank. yours is amazing.

Thank you very much. If you can find a healthy one, I would jump on it.

Cool shots Todd! I love this species... I especially like this shot... but having studied Centropyge I know this look very well...

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx114/johnjcoppolino/venusta_thinking.jpg

Get that boy a sheila!:love2:

Copps

Ha, that picture is great. If I ever happen to find a female, I would love to pair it up. Same holds true for my solid blue dwarf (( which I guess hasn't been officially named yet )), would love to have two of those too.