Angel in a Twenty Litre.

[NewGuy]

In a previous topic I revealed my VT angel si living in a 20 litre tank, and I got these responses:

Originally Posted by swordtailbreedr

Yeah. that angel will die in a few months

Originally Posted by emc7

If you keep the water clean (by frequent water changes), the fish can survive and even grow.

I followed emc7's advice, and the fish has been in there for about three months, and the Platys are not getting attacked- no fighting at food time. The angel has grown, and I think he will be able to survive at least until December, when I've been promised a larger tank.

I've been keeping religious water changes, swapping water once every three days using a 1500ml jug. The tank now holds two plants different plants also.

Any advice? DO you think he will live till December?

[SueM]

For those without a converter, 20 litre is 5.2 US Gals.

NewGuy I admire your diligence for doing religious water changes. However, Angels grow to full adult within 9 months. I'm not sure how long you have had him. But I'm guessing he was very small when you got him. He may survive till Dec. but he will be seriously stunted, and his fins may develop crooked. Although this is not genetic, it may even be that his reproductive organs will not develop correctly, and there for will never be able to spawn, or may be infertile. I am developing a strain of midget angels just for angel lovers like you that love angels, but only have small tanks. They are in their second generation and will be out on the market by Christmas. But to reach their full potential Angels need to grow and develop in a tank at least 56 liters. In a pinch, I have used large rubber/plastic storage containers for my angels, they come in 56 to 151 or more liter sizes and work well as temp housing. Then when you get your new tank in Dec, he will be even happier.

[NewGuy]

Thanks for the advice. i'll keep you posted if somehtign happens.

Yes, i got him very small.His still a small fish, and I hope he doesn't grow too quickly.

9 months? I'm not sure how old he was when i got him, but he's been mine for four months or so. That gives less than five month, meaning he becomes an adult before December

[Pac-Man]

If I were you I would just pick up a 20 High tank, or at least a 10, for the angel. Really they should cost about 20$ or 10$ respectively.

[hollie]

Midget angels sound really interesting! Will they be available internationally, or will you just sell them within the US?

(Sorry for mini-hijack!)

[Zoe]

Originally Posted by NewGuy

Thanks for the advice. i'll keep you posted if somehtign happens.

Yes, i got him very small.His still a small fish, and I hope he doesn't grow too quickly.

9 months? I'm not sure how old he was when i got him, but he's been mine for four months or so. That gives less than five month, meaning he becomes an adult before December

The fact that is still a small fish should demonstrate to you that while he can survive for a while in a 20 litre tank, he is not thriving. I know you're waiting until you get a bigger tank, but if he's 5 months now, he should be a full sized adult by December... A full sized adult is too tall to even fit fully in a 5 gallon tank, and their fins become crooked (if you see an angelfish with a flat dorsal fin - as opposed to straight up, you can be sure he was kept in a tank that was too small, for too long).

You should do your best to pick up a temporary home for him. Search through garage sales and classified adds - I'm sure you can find a 15 to 20 gallon "tall" tank, with filter and heater, for less than $40. It won't be perfect, but it will keep him alive and healthy until you do get your big tank.

If you can't afford that, or can't find one cheap enough, then I suggest that you give your angelfish to a petstore. Then when you DO get your new tank set up, you can get a new angelfish (or several), and know they will be healthy. Angelfish will still be around in December, trust me; you'll feel better about it, and so will your angelfish. It's always a bad indication when someone says "I hope he doesn't grow too quickly". This implies a lack of research, preparation, and funds to properly care for your fish.

I commend you for doing water changes and keeping the tank clean, but it's not enough if you want a health angelfish. Swap him for a betta or a few guppies until your new tank arrives.

[Ice Prince]

Midget angel fish? how small are you going to try to get them?

[swordtailbreedr]

Warning from Moderation Team...............

[Scuba Kid]

Originally Posted by swordtailbreedr

Well If You Read You Would Know Durrrrrrr

What are you talking about? I don't think Sue ever specified exactly how small her strain of "Midget Angels" would grow to be, so that was a perfectly legitimate question...

I've also noticed that most of your posts seem to be short, one sentence replies and have little if anything to add to the discussion in the threads you reply to....Please try to avoid this.

[fishbguy]

I've also noticed that most of your posts seem to be short, one sentence replies and have little if anything to add to the discussion in the threads you reply to....Please try to avoid this.

thank you scuba.

I too would like to know how small these "dwarf angels" are when they are full size. I think they will be very popular with people that read up on fish that theybuy. i have a feeeling that people are still going to buy regular angels because they will prolly be cheaper than the dwarfs.

[CVV1]

You should just pick up a ten gallon for now, it will be much more happy.

[NewGuy]

I know this is an old topic, but I just thought I'de say the Angels doing fine. He's always been pretty territorial, but I have had no death or sickness form him or the other three fish.

He has grown, but still has some room. When he wants to, he will hide behind the filter inlet thing, but comes out very energetic and happy when I walk towards the tank. I have kept my strict water change strategy, but have adjusted it to once every three days.

I know it has been a while, but i thought I might update whats happening.

[emc7]

I'm glad the fish is still alive. The other posters are right about bent fins in veiltails. I have a pair of veils with a backwards hook in their top fins but their fry which have lived all their lives in a 55 gallon have perfectly straight, vertical fins. I don't like to say "move that fish to a bigger tank or it will die", because someone will manage to keep one alive and then say "you are all liars". With very clean water fish can survive in less than optimal conditions for a long while. But once you move the fish to a large tank you will be shocked by how much better it looks. It will get more color, act more secure, and start growing quickly. Do try thrift store and garage sales and sites like craigslist, you can often find used aquariums amazingly cheap. And there is nothing magical about a glass tank. You can keep fish in a lined barrel, a plastic bin, all sorts of things.

[jones57742]

Folks:

Before I reentered fish keeping after 35 years I researched the literature significantly.

A portion of the research was relative the determination of the minimum depth tank necessary to raise angels or discus (I decided to go with angels for several reasons) to their full adult size.

The preponderance of the literature indicated that a 30" deep was the minimum depth required to raise angels to their 6"-8" typical adult size.
(Please note that at that point in time I was not aware that Charlie Chan's statement to his Number Two Son, "One ounce of Experience worth Two Pound of Detective Book", was applicable to fish keeping.)

I spent quite a few $'s in order to procure a 30" deep tank rather than a 24" deep tank.*

Did I slobber up?

TR

*I also "never figured" the pain associated with the bottom maintenance of a 30" deep tank even though I my height is 6'-4".

[emc7]

I feel your pain, I have a 30 gallon extra high (24" long). Its a c h or e. I'm 5'4".