| Just one look at a saltwater angelfish in your local | | | | be in the early stages of disease. Look for clear |
| fish store will tempt you to take one home. | | | | and shiny eyes. Also make sure the fish's body |
| Unfortunately, many novice aquarists do not fully | | | | color is uniform. You do not want a specimen with |
| comprehend the thought of what is entailed in | | | | white blotches, blemishes or pitting. Last but |
| raising a marine specimen that has the potential to | | | | definitely not least, put a deposit on the fish you |
| grow in excess of 15 inches in length. Large | | | | intend to purchase or have the retailer quarantine |
| angelfish require a 100+ gallon aquarium. Most | | | | it for at least three weeks before taking it home. |
| large angelfish are rated at an intermediate or | | | | If you own a quarantines tank, an additional |
| expert care level. An Angelfish will die in the hands | | | | isolation period of two weeks before introducing |
| of an inexperienced hobbyist. | | | | your angelfish to the general population is |
| Large angels in general have exceptionally high | | | | advisable. Angelfish are long lived species. A |
| mortality rates in captivity. Here are some handy | | | | healthy Large Angel may easily live 15-20 years. |
| tips to help you insure your angle's survival. Do | | | | Angelfish are much more sensitive to water |
| not choose a baby or an adult specimen. Babies | | | | parameters than may other marine species. A top |
| have not yet developed a strong enough | | | | notch filtration system and frequent water |
| constitution to endure the transition into a life of | | | | changes will help keep them healthy and fit. An |
| captivity. They are far more susceptible to | | | | aquatic system with a protein skimmer is also |
| improper handling techniques during capture and | | | | advisable. |
| transport. Adults have spent their entire lives in | | | | Angels are omnivorous. In nature their diet |
| the wild. It may well prove extremely problematic | | | | consists of a mixture of sponges, corals, algae, |
| getting them to feed and then further modifying | | | | worms, mollusks and crustaceans. Needless to |
| their behavior patterns to accept non-living food | | | | say angelfish will not make suitable candidates for |
| offerings. Juveniles are generally hardy enough to | | | | a marine reef aquarium. Begin training them to |
| endure the acclimation process between their | | | | accepting non-living food offerings by mixing larger |
| native habitat and life in an aquarium. Additionally, | | | | and larger amounts of flake, pellets or frozen |
| since they have not yet grown to their full size | | | | preparations with live brine shrimp. Once they |
| they are much more likely to fit into a | | | | have been successfully acclimated, the protein |
| pre-established population. A 4-6 inch juvenile is | | | | part of their dietary needs can be supplemented |
| ideal for a community tank. | | | | with chopped crustaceans and mollusks. They |
| Always make sure an angelfish does not show | | | | should also be fed a variety of algae and plant |
| signs of labored breathing before making a | | | | matter. Chopped spinach, zucchini, yellow squash, |
| purchase. Angelfish are susceptible to gill-burn | | | | and broccoli are suitable veggies. Try |
| from improper shipping and poor water conditions. | | | | experimenting to see which ones they find the |
| At normal activity levels the fish's gill should open | | | | most appealing. Algae are an essential part of an |
| approximately once per second. Always choose a | | | | angelfish's diet. An abundance of well established |
| specimen that has a full body and face. Hollowed | | | | live rock is mandatory for properly maintaining |
| out features are a sure sign of malnutrition. Ask | | | | theses species. Dried algae sheets will help insure |
| to see the fish feed before making a purchase. A | | | | optimum nutritional levels. Products such as Ulva |
| fish that is feeding for the pet store is more likely | | | | (sea lettuce), Nori, Kombu, and Caulerpa can be |
| to feed for you. Choose an active fish with full | | | | purchases at most Asian food centers. |
| fins. Sluggish fish and ones with tattered fins may | | | | |