Habitat - Indoor :: RES & Angelfish... Also Feeding Help

[Mavrick]

I have rescued 3 young RES from the trade in Asia. I have experience with reptiles, but not specifically with RES's. I have created a tank that fits their needs, with adequate filtration, heating and basking areas. One of the three hatchlings died, from drowning and I noticed after his death that he had severe fungal growths on his limbs and face. They were kept in a fish tank with no land to crawl onto at all.

Anyways, I would like to know if it is ok to keep fresh water angelfish in the same tank. There is enough room for them, and they are all about the same size. I know angelfish are cichlids and can be agressive, so does anyone have this combo and had it work, or should I leave the fish out?

Also, my RES's have not been seen eating. There is extremely limited food options regarding pellets, but I did manage to find a good brand. I also got some freeze dried meal worms. Neither have eaten, and it is going on 4 days for one (Has one eye and a mouth deformity). Could they possibly be eating when I'm asleep, or should I be concerned due to the deformity. Also, suggestions on encouraging them to eat would be helpful.

Thank you.
Mavrick,
Aussie stuck in SE Asia

[daredevilgirl013]

Leave the fish out. Those angelfish are going to become food. Especially with the colors and the fins the way they are.

[SpotsMama]

Check this link out on feeding your RES. Note there are also suggestions on how to entice eating.

http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

If your little RES are brand new, they are probably not eating because they are still adjusting to their new surroundings. It usually takes a few day until they calm down enough to eat. Just give them some peace and quite and they should come around.

On the skin problem, it may just have been heavy shedding that you saw if the poor little guy had been living in awful conditions. Regardless, if he had a skin condition, then they probably all do. Check out this thread that mentions bathing a turtle in an aquarium salt and water mixture to help heal skin.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... light=salt

Also, this one (read all the way to the bottom). Hibiclens is a disinfectant so if there is any fungus or bacteria present, it should clear it up. Hopefully you'll be able to get it where you are:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... biclens%2A

[Mavrick]

Thanks, I did read all those topics, in fact I read the whole site before I got them. As I said, I'm in SE Asia and care products are impossible to find, so I may need to order them.

[SpotsMama]

If you have difficulty finding the brand where you are, maybe you can find the generic. Here's a description:

"...You could dilute the Hibiclense if you were going to clean a large area (it's 4% chlorohexidine as opposed to Nolvasan, which is 2%; if you buy concentrated Nolvasan, it's recommended that it be diluted to a 2% solution for treating conditions)."

Maybe you can find chlorohexidine and dilute it down to a 2% strength.

[aeo]

It's fine to have 1% salt in your tank. Salt reduces disease.
Why don't you take bigger RES ? Hatching RES is weak and their death is normal, no need to worry.
I'm in SE Asia too ( Vietnam) and my RES are so comfortable with the tropical climate ( warm water,... ) Just give them a good living ( feed enough, keep the water clean, provide a good basking area) and put the fish away. Fish become food when your RES calm down, that's for sure.
By the way, where you are ?