View Full Version : Altums
HarleyK
12-07-2008, 4:04 PM
Howdy,
I picked up half a dozen altums. The importer (from Columbia) quarantined 8 for three weeks, and 6 made it to the store. They already went thru the "altum disease" stage and are currently growing their tail fins back, as you can see. Nevertheless, they went straight into my quarantine tank for observation. Acclimatization for about an hour with airstone. They're gorgeous 6+ inches tall :)
Pics from yesterday. Enjoy
HarleyK
kiokie72006
12-07-2008, 4:06 PM
Very nice!
jonahonah
12-07-2008, 4:06 PM
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Just what i want to do with wild scalares but people have said it wont work longterm, is that similar with altums
HarleyK
12-07-2008, 4:06 PM
today
kiokie72006
12-07-2008, 4:10 PM
They really are beautiful!
HarleyK
12-07-2008, 6:29 PM
Thanks guys :)
Just what i want to do with wild scalares but people have said it wont work longterm, is that similar with altums
What is it you want to do?
HarleyK
Gr8KarmaSF
12-07-2008, 6:31 PM
Nice K
What is altum disease?
HarleyK
12-07-2008, 6:56 PM
Thank you. Altum disease in short: Fins rot off and animals die. As I researched the species before I bought it, I came across endless, very discouraging posts of members who lost most if not all the altum angels they bought. (IMO That also has to do with the fact that altums ship notoriously badly - which is why I bought local). I found the following, helpful thread on how to treat altum disease in case I need to:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184053
HarleyK
jonahonah
12-07-2008, 8:08 PM
Thanks guys :)
What is it you want to do?
HarleyK
I would like to put a group of angels in with my harlequins and indian drape fin barbs (exceedingly peaceful!) Its a 90gal. People said that the angels will end killing each other and id be left with a pair, if they breed. Also that barbs will nip the fins but these are new to the hobby and i have seen nothing that would lead me to that conclusion. Sorry derail but its in my recent thread How many? Would appreciate your input.
carcinoma
12-08-2008, 11:23 PM
Those are beautiful. I bow to you! LOL
I noticed you describe them as 6" tall. How large are their bodies (excluding fins). Dollar coin size?
HarleyK
12-09-2008, 5:52 PM
Howdy,
Its a 90gal. People said that the angels will end killing each other and id be left with a pair, if they breed.
You could try 5 in a 90 gal, heavily planted and vertical driftwood. Altums won't breed but are extremely sensitive and show a higher baseline of aggression. Let's put it this way: P. scalare are for AquariaCentral, P. altum are for MFK (I'm gonna get flamed for that, LOL)
Also that barbs will nip the fins but these are new to the hobby and i have seen nothing that would lead me to that conclusion.
Barbs are notorious fin-nippers, which manifests nowhere better than with angelfish or gouramis. I wouldn't try. Really. Don't unless you have another tank where you can separate the fish. :shakehead
I noticed you describe them as 6" tall. How large are their bodies (excluding fins). Dollar coin size?
~2''
HarleyK
bfhslilred93
12-09-2008, 5:57 PM
if i were to get some i'd buy local too just because i'd know for sure they didn't have anything and i could put them in my dream tank: a 75 gal planted with driftwood with 6 altums and 4-6 wild green discus with a school of like 25 neons
gomezladdams
12-09-2008, 9:21 PM
Awesome pick up!I saw some at the wholesaler recently that looked very perfect and heathy but no spare tanks at the moment.
Good luck with them hope they heal up well.
vmahaffe
12-09-2008, 10:04 PM
Awesome pick up!I saw some at the wholesaler recently that looked very perfect and heathy but no spare tanks at the moment.
Good luck with them hope they heal up well.
Does the wholesaler ship? I have been comtemplating getting some of these guys. I currently have 10 wild Peruvians, but would like to try true altums. I have a 180 that would be perfect for them.
carcinoma
12-09-2008, 10:54 PM
How are they doing? are they eating aggressively? do they hide more than domestic angels?
HarleyK
12-10-2008, 8:37 PM
Does the wholesaler ship?
To my LFS ...
How are they doing? are they eating aggressively? do they hide more than domestic angels?
I am actually having a bit trouble getting them to eat. They're very slow on frozen bloodworms, spit out flakes and freeze-dried. :irked:
HarleyK
Lovely altums! Harley, try pouring 3 drops of Kent's liquid garlic on their food and see if they react faster to the food.
angelo21
12-10-2008, 8:56 PM
very nice indeed!!!!
sunfishh
12-11-2008, 2:42 AM
Those are great looking angels :)
carcinoma
12-11-2008, 11:52 PM
To my LFS ...
I am actually having a bit trouble getting them to eat. They're very slow on frozen bloodworms, spit out flakes and freeze-dried. :irked:
HarleyK
Mines was the same way. It took them awhile to finally start taking food. They are very nervous. Not bold like domestic angels. Once they settle in, they'll start eating more aggressivly. BTW, that new full-tank shot pic is breath taking. I LUV IT!!! HOT!
HoangLan
12-14-2008, 10:55 PM
Very beautiful fishes, please post pics once in a while, they are my favorite.
Eric A
12-15-2008, 2:06 AM
Altums are a beauty. I would love some but I am worried about putting with my peruvians.
Where did you purchase them?
Eric A
12-21-2008, 10:57 PM
Altums are a beauty. I would love some but I am worried about putting with my peruvians.
BUMP
awesome pick ups K.... your gonna love them...
BaTsBR
12-22-2008, 9:01 AM
very nice altums, congrats.
and very nice tank too.
HarleyK
12-26-2008, 5:31 PM
Howdy,
Where did you purchase them?
Ely's in Florham Park, NJ
awesome pick ups K.... your gonna love them...
Thanks :) Didn't you also have some?
They have been transferred in my 220 gal. Still shy in between the plants, but they have started to accept frozen bloodworms.
HarleyK
HarleyK
12-26-2008, 5:43 PM
.
Diamond Discus
12-26-2008, 9:43 PM
I really must have some of those for my 178!! If I could only find some like yours in my area....:cry:
royalray
12-26-2008, 11:53 PM
very nice altum, my altum is also growing very well. now they are trained to take dry pellete food. i will take some photo to post here soon.
Is there only 1 type of altum in orinoco?
Eric A
12-27-2008, 4:02 AM
Is there only 1 type of altum in orinoco?
I know they are found in nearby rivers as well, but not sure of any geographical variants.
phillausten
12-27-2008, 5:32 AM
Is there only 1 type of altum in orinoco?
apparently
http://www.angelfish.net/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=8349&highlight=negro
HarleyK
01-27-2009, 9:55 PM
Nice K
What is altum disease?
It looks like this
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313208
Crap! This is my second batch. Didn't look as good in the store, and I only got the 4 best looking. A week into quarantine, and I discovered last night that they are developing the dreaded fin rot. They are all affected. :irked: Immediate treatment with Pimafix. Please cross your fingers.
Fortunately, the batch of six in the 220 gal is doing very well.
HarleyK
cockroach
04-16-2009, 9:14 PM
Those are lovely Harley and I especially love their fins. How are they all doing now? What are you feeding them?
revkkoolaid
04-18-2009, 1:18 PM
(IMO That also has to do with the fact that altums ship notoriously badly - which is why I bought local).
Angels & discus both ship so poorly I would never buy online.
Extra care should be taken whenever transporting them, even locally.
Eric A
06-07-2009, 2:24 AM
BUMP, more pictures please :)
I might get some for my 190gal :)
HarleyK
07-09-2009, 8:15 PM
Howdy,
None of the altums from my second batch survived. I still have 4 of the 6 from the first batch. One died just a few months ago for no apparent reason.
The altums didn't do well at all in my 220 gal, they were hiding all the time. With a knife and a few catfish they were the only open water inhabitants, they had no other fish to fear. I moved all these fish into a 75 gal to free up my 220 gal. Now in the 75 gal, the angels are out all the time, curious, interactive, and hungry. I have no clue why, but they apparently do better in small tanks. :confused:
HarleyK
Eric A
07-12-2009, 4:20 AM
That's gotta be one of the weirdest things I have heard about.
revkkoolaid
07-12-2009, 11:18 PM
To my LFS ...
I am actually having a bit trouble getting them to eat. They're very slow on frozen bloodworms, spit out flakes and freeze-dried. :irked:
HarleyK
Try some PE Mysis. Our wild discus and scalare in our displays tear it up. would only eat bloodworms and mysis forever but after they were on the mysis I started soaking dry foods in the greasy mysis water and they started woofing it down. PE Mysis is extremely rich in omega-3s and if you're feeding it in a system w/o an overflow its a good idea to pour it through a net to prevent getting a "slick" on the surface. I use this rinse water like garlic extratives to soak other foods to encourage a feeding response as well as maybe add a bit of nutritional value.
I've yet to have a fish turn down PE Mysis. Best stuff on earth.
www.mysis.com
Howdy,
None of the altums from my second batch survived. I still have 4 of the 6 from the first batch. One died just a few months ago for no apparent reason.
The altums didn't do well at all in my 220 gal, they were hiding all the time. With a knife and a few catfish they were the only open water inhabitants, they had no other fish to fear. I moved all these fish into a 75 gal to free up my 220 gal. Now in the 75 gal, the angels are out all the time, curious, interactive, and hungry. I have no clue why, but they apparently do better in small tanks. :confused:
HarleyK
Update pics please :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:
Eric A
07-14-2009, 6:46 AM
Update pics please :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:
I second that!!!!! :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
HarlanAshmore
07-14-2009, 6:49 AM
they look schweeet
Eric A
07-14-2009, 6:50 AM
they look schweeet
You should get some for your 55
HarlanAshmore
07-14-2009, 6:55 AM
You should get some for your 55
for that price id rather get a few discus
Eric A
07-14-2009, 6:56 AM
for that price id rather get a few discus
lol, poooorby :p Now leave the mans thread alone.
i just got some altums too. how much did you pay?? if u dont mind me asking... i got mine at dollar coin size. and yes updated pics pls =)
HarleyK
09-25-2009, 6:28 PM
Howdy,
And thanks for the continued interest in this thread :)
I have to admit that the altums are not fish of great joy. I am down another one. It died after a water change. Weird. The others showed no symptoms. Out of the three that are left, one is growing something on the base of a pectoral fin. No fungus, not sure what it is. About 1/16'' (2mm) in diameter. Doesn't matter. I am not going to get more once these are gone...
HarleyK
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cockroach
09-26-2009, 2:30 AM
Ah I am sorry to hear that Harley. The one in the second pic looks stunning.
I bought mine from an LFS that had spent a year acclimitizing them to local water conditions. All six of mine have stayed strong for a few months now.
Have you tried acclimitizing yours to your local water or are you doctoring the tank water to suit the fish?
Beautiful fishes Harley, don't give up! You said it right there, "after the water change", so it could be something in the water, like chlorine or chloramine(sp?). Do you conditioned the water before you add it to the tank? Or it could be the sudden change in water temp because you make too big of a water change? I'm praying for your fishes man :)
HarleyK
09-26-2009, 10:57 AM
Howdy,
my water comes out of the tap extremely soft and fairly acidic. I tend not to mess with water chemistry but select species that thrive within the given parameters. These guys just puzzle me :confused:
As for water changes, there is only so much you can do. The most gentle way is probably a drip system, and I am currently in the process of installing one on my 220 gal. But it won't be for the 75 gal where the altums live :(
HarleyK