Help with angelfish ID 5/26/2010
Hello WWM crew.
I recently received the attached angelfish.
It came in Identified as Chaetodontoplus dimidiatus.
I thought it might be Chaetodontoplus melanosoma.
<Mmm, this specimen is 5-6 inches in length overall? Maturely coloured... More likely the latter, or>
It doesn't really look like either to me.
What do you think?
Thank you in advance.
Michael Stern
www.NYAquatic.com
<Could be a cross... perhaps w/ Chaetodontoplus chrysocephalus. Bob Fenner>

Re: Help with angelfish ID 5/27/10
Bob,
<Mike>
I really need to get my hands on a better camera, but here's the best I've been able to do so far.
What do you think?
<Oh! The first pic looks more like C. melanosoma to me. B>
Thanks in advance.
Michael Stern
www.NYAquatic.com
Jack... will you look at these pix of a Chaetodontoplus... give us your input re the likely species here?

Chaetodontoplus meredithi Queensland Yellow-Tail Angelfish... ID Black Velvet Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma) has my vote 8/28/07 Hi Crew! <Hi Rhonda, Mich here.> I was out the other day and bought an Angel I was told was a Poma Angel. They said it wasn't eating because it just came in. <Careful.> I was leery but I loved the fish and bought it for 46.00. After a couple of hours on your site and fishbase.org and a couple of others I think it's not a Poma but a Queensland Yellow-Tail Angelfish. Please see pics. <I do not think this a Chaetodontoplus meredithi. I believe this is a Black Velvet Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma) See a remarkable similar pic here: http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=2&ID=10472&what=species > I have had it for 8 days now and she has taken 2 bites of Angel flakes and ate a few frozen krill. <Something is better than nothing. I would start by offering Spirulina and Mysid shrimp soaked in Selcon. Other marine Algae and high quality meaty foods may be offered as well.> Also she is very shy. Swims back and forth and around when I'm not in the room but hides in the corner when I enter. <Hopefully will become a little less timid with time, but needs to be in a passive tank with plenty of hiding places.> Should I be concerned about her not eating <I would keep an eye on, she may be picking from your LR as well.> and if it is a Yellow Tail I'm not sure what to feed her? Fish looks in perfect health. The body is like black velvet like I have never seen. Eyes are clear and focused. I have other fish I have bought and some never started eating for 2 weeks or more and then did fine. If it is a Queensland Yellow-Tail Angelfish is there any info I should know about its eating habits? I can't find out anything on these? <I do not think this is a Queensland Yellow-Tail Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus meredithi).> If it's out of my league would you know a worth so I could know what to trade for? <I believe this to be a Black Velvet Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma), which are generally well suited for captive care.> I like the fish but I'm not use to Angels that are so shy and picky eaters. <Give this fish some time, and offer a variety of high quality foods, many swear by Pablo Tepoot's' Spectrum foods.> Thanks for any help. <Welcome! Mich> Rhonda Rick

Re: Chaetodontoplus meredithi Queensland Yellow-Tail Angelfish... Unrelated? Related? Fish Deaths 9/2/07 Thanks for your fast reply Mich! <Welcome!> It does look like a black velvet. Hard to tell. Other pics also look like it. I will try to send more so you can see better. I have a new and bigger problem now. Since this email my passer angel has died and my blue indigo??? <I'm sorry for you loss.> No apparent reason? I'm thinking a virus? No signs of parasites. <Was the Black Velvet angel placed in this tank with out QT? If so I would be concerned about a potential pathogen.> All levels are great 0 on everything except nitrates are 10 PPM. <Not high enough to be concerning, but lower is better.> The 2 fish went fast. I also have a red Coris wrasse in there and that's all that's left. <I'm sorry for your troubles. Hopefully the Black Velvet is in QT.> It's a 135-gallon tank. The problem I have is if all my levels are good how do I know I can put another fish in? <I would not be in a hurry.> I know with parasites you say leave empty for a month. <Yes, can be efficacious.> I would like to take the wrasse out and put in QT but in the past I have had a wrasse kill himself trying to bury at night. <You could add sand to the QT tank.> Is it possible I have electric current running through the tank and my fish were electrocuted? <I guess anything is possible.> How can I check for current running through it? You can use a "multi-meter" tester that measure down to the "milli" which you can find at you local hardware store.> I don't feel anything when I put my hand in? <Mmm, not the best way to test... What if you could!!!! You could have been seriously hurt or worse!!!!> If I leave the wrasse in and he lives for a month should I try another fish. <Always a risk.> Thanks for your help Mich! <You're welcome, not always helpful, but not for a lack of trying.>

Re: Chaetodontoplus meredithi Queensland Yellow-Tail Angelfish... Unrelated? Related? Fish Deaths 9/3/07 Thanks Mich! Yes the black velvet is in QT <I am very glad to hear.> and looks great but still no eating??? <May still be acclimating.> I QT everything is why I'm so confused about what killed the other 2 so fast with no symptoms? <Yes, I understand your confusion and I'm not really sure what to tell you other than I'm very glad to hear that you QT.> Yet the Coris wrasse looks great and is eating fine? <Good.> I went and bought a red ball sponge today hoping that will entice the black velvet to eat it??? <Mmm, I understand your thinking but would be very careful with such sponges.> Funny thing is he looks great! Very shy but getting better. <A good sign and a signal that s/he is still adjusting and may take some time.> How long can he go without eating? <A while, I know, is vague, but like humans, we can last while without food. Many fishes that are kept prior to shipping are withheld food so there is less of a chance of fouling the water in the shipping bag. This process can take a couple of weeks, just to give you an idea.> I was thinking about putting a 2-inch Koran with him for a while for social reasons that eats great? <Mmm, I think I would hold off on this for a bit. I think it might just add to the stress level.> I did not use my hand to check for current in the tank. <Heehee! Good!> I realized after I removed the sick fish I didn't feel anything. <I'm still thinking your hands were in the system!> Thanks for a Great website and help! <On behalf of Bob and the crew, you're welcome! Mich>

Oh yeah. RMF.