What's the best temperature for Angels?
ANGELS LIKE high temperatures -- 80 to 85 degrees F (27 - 29C). I use submersible heaters, attached low on the back tank wall so they won't interfere with cleaning, or crack when water levels are low. Colder temperatures may cause health problems.
I may run as high as 90-95 degrees F (32-35C) for a few days for stressed fish. Keeping the temperatures on the lower side (75-80F, 24-27C) may slow metabolism, and be better if you have to leave them for a week, or to condition juveniles headed for unheated tanks in the pet stores. Below 75F (24C), fish will be sluggish and weak.
Treating for diseases could be a special case. Angels seem to thrive on very warm water, as they would find in the Amazon, their home. White-spot disease, Ich, and many parasites and other bugs will not survive temperatures of 93-97F (34-36C).
Here's a theory of mine... as yet untested. What if Angels are like people? Normal human body temperature is 98.6F (37C). 'Getting a fever' is nature's way of fighting infections. Perhaps short treatments at 102F (39C) for a few hours might kill bad bugs, but I'm only guessing. At 106F (41C) I'd expect permanent brain damage. If you can design an experiment like this with sick fish or your culls, please do so and let me know the results.
If you want quick help from the experts, please go to The Angelfish Forum!
Topic: Comments about the temprature
Author: Handi Lau
Email: handilau@bdg.centrin.net.id
Date: 03 Aug 1999
Time: 12:07:00
Remote Name: gwbdg2.centrin.net.id
Remote User:
Comments
I have seen an angelfish breeder who never use any heater in a quite cold area. I notice that the temperature can reach about 22 C, but the babies and the big ones are all healthy. However in the afternoon the temperature is quite hot. Any idea why??
I'm stuck with tank heaters... wish I lived in a temperate tropical climate, or at least in a place where folks have basements... so I could build a fish room. The ten tanks I have here in my upstairs office are about all the War Department will allow.
I'm sure Angels are subjected to extremes in the wild. Do any of our readers here know the conditions they face in nature? If so, please comment. We know they can take 90-95 degrees F (32-35C) just fine, even higher. If held at 22C (72F), they won't show good color, they will move slowly, they will be stressed and weakened, and they will not pair off and breed... in my experience. Still, breeders who sell to pet shops may indeed hold them at 22C (72F) for a few weeks, since that's what they'll probably have to take in the stores...
Reggie Dawes
Webmaster
Topic: angelfish oddities
Author: barbara
Email: peterook@myna.com
Remote User:
Date: 15 Sep 1999
Time: 19:51:11
Comments
I have a 35 gal tank with a 8" pond orange fantail goldfish & a black/sliver striped angelfish 5" diameter. They get along just fine with each other & actually sleep together. Age is about 3 years. I noticed temperatures decreased when I put the tank in the basement. The angelfish started to get fin rot. I checked temp & added a heater. Increased temperature to 80 f. & Added 30 ml of aquarium salt now both fish are happy as always.
Wow, I thought gold fish needed COLD water, 70F or so.
Salt is controversial. No doubt Angels can tolerate 500ppm (0.5%) Sodium Chloride or more. But they also thrive in salt-free, even distilled water. Many try shocking an aquarium with salt to help clear up parasites. But it's a nuisance, the way it leaves crystals around the top when evaporating.
Topic: HOW TO MEASURE??
Author:
Email:
Remote User:
Date: 19 Jul 2000
Time: 17:54:33
Comments
Topic: HOW TO MEASURE??
Author: cchhrriiss
Email: enenue@aol.com
Remote User:
Date: 19 Jul 2000
Time: 17:58:12
Comments
I read in books that angels have to be 3in. to breed, but i don't know how to measure them. All of my angels are about the same size, but some have long fins and small bodies while others have larger bodies and shorter fins.Is it from the top of thier fin the the bottom or is it just the body.