michael_cb_125
Active Member
I would like to start a thread regarding the Bandit Angelfish (A. arcuatus).
This seems to be a fish that many folks consider, but shy away from due to the information readily available online. They are definitely not a beginner fish, but are they really as difficult as many make them out to be?
How many folks here currently own, or have owned this species?
Please share your experiences, success and failures
Size of Fish?
Diet provided?
Water Temp?
Water Quality?
Health Issues?
Source Obtained From?
Longevity?
Tank Mates?
For me this was always my holy grail fish, I have been fortunate to have a pair for a little over 10 years. I purchased mine a tiny juveniles (both were 1"). They arrived with ick, external flukes and intestinal worms. Both fish ate well from the beginning which aided me greatly. It took almost a year in QT before I felt they were 100% clean.
Since they were both juveniles, they were mean little girls and did not enjoy each others company at first. It took 6 months of being separated with eggcrate before one became the dominate fish, and they could be allowed to swim together.
They have always been in a cool water tank with extreme low temps being around 58 and extreme high temps around 74. I run the tank as though there are seasons, a warm and cool.
Without a doubt the fish are happier in the cooler temps. When the water is above 70, they are much more lethargic. Drop the temp to around 68 or lower and they are like frisky little puppies.
Other than the initial problems that the fish arrived with the only other issue I have delt with has been HLLE in the female. This occurred after adding a large carbon reactor about 8 years ago. Within 2 days of adding the reactor she started showing symptoms. I removed the reactor, the issue progressed for another 2 months and stopped. She has slowly healed some, but still has scarring around the eyes today.
I feed a mixed diet of fresh seafood and NLS pellets. I have never had any issues with these fish being picky eaters, but I attribute this to acclimating them to prepared foods as juveniles.
Wild adult bandits will often never feed in captivity.
So let here some other Bandit stories.
~Michael
This seems to be a fish that many folks consider, but shy away from due to the information readily available online. They are definitely not a beginner fish, but are they really as difficult as many make them out to be?
How many folks here currently own, or have owned this species?
Please share your experiences, success and failures
Size of Fish?
Diet provided?
Water Temp?
Water Quality?
Health Issues?
Source Obtained From?
Longevity?
Tank Mates?
For me this was always my holy grail fish, I have been fortunate to have a pair for a little over 10 years. I purchased mine a tiny juveniles (both were 1"). They arrived with ick, external flukes and intestinal worms. Both fish ate well from the beginning which aided me greatly. It took almost a year in QT before I felt they were 100% clean.
Since they were both juveniles, they were mean little girls and did not enjoy each others company at first. It took 6 months of being separated with eggcrate before one became the dominate fish, and they could be allowed to swim together.
They have always been in a cool water tank with extreme low temps being around 58 and extreme high temps around 74. I run the tank as though there are seasons, a warm and cool.
Without a doubt the fish are happier in the cooler temps. When the water is above 70, they are much more lethargic. Drop the temp to around 68 or lower and they are like frisky little puppies.
Other than the initial problems that the fish arrived with the only other issue I have delt with has been HLLE in the female. This occurred after adding a large carbon reactor about 8 years ago. Within 2 days of adding the reactor she started showing symptoms. I removed the reactor, the issue progressed for another 2 months and stopped. She has slowly healed some, but still has scarring around the eyes today.
I feed a mixed diet of fresh seafood and NLS pellets. I have never had any issues with these fish being picky eaters, but I attribute this to acclimating them to prepared foods as juveniles.
Wild adult bandits will often never feed in captivity.
So let here some other Bandit stories.
~Michael
