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.