Injured Flame Angel - Assistance Needed

[MaxxdOut]

On Saturday I added a small adult, Flame Angel to my tank. Unfortunately my Yellow Damsel didn’t appreciate the addition and proceeded to relentlessly beat on the Angel, shredding his fins, etc. To-date the Damsel has been an issue in the tank, past attempts at catching him failed. However, his aggression towards the new Angel brought me to my breaking point and I tore the tank down, caught and removed him. Now I’m in the process of trying to save the Flame.

As mentioned before, the Angle’s fins were badly picked at. Most of his posterior caudal fin is down to bone and the tip of his dorsal also has some bone exposed. Unfortunately he hasn’t eaten since his introduction and he’s spent most of his time hiding behind some rocks. He seems to be swimming fine, but understandably (given the beating) isn’t getting out much. I have tried to spot feed him with a long syringe using different foods, froze Mysis, frozen Cyclopseese, small cut up krill, Rods Reef Food, and mixing everything with Selcon Garlic and he still won’t eat.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I feel if I can get him to eat he will likely overcome his injuries. I'm open to any ideas or suggestions.


Thanks in advance for the help.

[scooter86]

Try a live clam placed in or near his hide spot.

[Dr Colliebreath]

I would try some live brine shrimp and live blackworms. It may take a couple of days for the flame to recover and start eating again.

I would keep the lights low for a while.

What size tank do you have and what other fish are there? You should be prepared to move the flame to a hospital tank. You also should watch for signs of bacterial infection and be ready to administer an antibiotic.

[flameangel88]

Not eating for a couple of days is fine. I would keep it dark for a day or two to let the fish recover from stress.

[MaxxdOut]

The tank is a 75 gal. His tank mates are a pair of maroon clowns, six line wrasse, and lots of snails/crabs etc.

I have reduced the lights to 3hrs a day and I picked up a live clam last night, cracked it open and placed it near his hiding spot. Although he showed some interest he didn't eat any of it. My wrasse quickly found it and may have scared him away. My thought at this point is to place him in a QT tank for treatment.

Any other thoughts?

[Dr Colliebreath]

I would leave it in your dt for another day or twoand see whether it becomes comfortable enough to come out, unless it is being harassed by your existing fish or it shows signs of infection or disease that need treatment right away. The stress of moving is something it can do without right now.

Was it eating aggressively at the fish store (more than tentative bites or spitting food back out)? How long was it at the lfs before you bought it?

[humaguy]

agree with flameangel88...lights off for a few days, keep water clean, feed her live food soaked in garlic and selcon, if possible...add some aloe or antibiotics to prevent infection...

[MaxxdOut]

I would leave it in your dt for another day or twoand see whether it becomes comfortable enough to come out, unless it is being harassed by your existing fish or it shows signs of infection or disease that need treatment right away. The stress of moving is something it can do without right now.

Was it eating aggressively at the fish store (more than tentative bites or spitting food back out)? How long was it at the lfs before you bought it?

Colliebreath - Thanks for the input. The other fish have to-date left the Flame alone and I don't expect that to change as they are reasonably well mannered. I purchased the Flame at a local frag show, from a local, well respected frag farmer, that I trust. I didn't see the Flame eat while at the show as he was already bagged for me. However, I have full confidence that he was eating fine as he appeared to be in good health (I know it's hard to tell just by looking, but more importantly I trust the source as he wouldn't intentionally sell me a sick fish).

Thanks for all the help guys. Please keep it coming.

[Dr Colliebreath]

I would ride it out for a while then with low light and see what happens. Keep trying to spot feed and the fish should come around once it gets confident it won't be attacked and its appetite returns. That may take some time but it sounds like the fish was healthy to start and should bounce back. Just watch for infections or disease. Keep posting updates.

[LargeAngels]

Ride it out for now as more stress right now isn't good. If there is plenty of live rock with algae I wouldn't worry too much about it eating prepared food. A couple foods I have good luck with getting angels to eat is veggie flakes and Hikari small mysis. If he gets worse take him out and treat appropriately. Maroons and sixlines can be nasty towards other fish so keep a close eye on how they react to it.

I don't add any fish to a tank with other fish until it has gone through QT. I don't care who it is from. QT isn't just for disease treatment, but a place to allow the fish to recover from all the stress it has gone through and make sure it is eating really well before it has to compete with other fish. A fish that has recovered from stress and eating well has a much much better chance of handling stress from other fish when first introduced. Plus, no matter how healthy a fish looks it still may be carrying some type of disease and you sure don't want to introduce that to the rest of the fish.