flame angel gone

I had written in the past that my flame angel was not eating and was swimming a bit listlessly. I had tried frozen marine angel food, mysis, flakes, garlic, etc. He wouldn't eat anything except peck at the rocks.

Anyway, yesterday he was nowhere to be found in the tank. Same thing today. I can only assume he is dead (didn't jump, as he is not on the floor). However, tests this morning show no spikes of ammonia/nitrite/nitrate.

My questions: How can I avoid this in the future? (The angel was eating frozen brine in the LFS). Should I expect a nitrate spike?

 

I would look for him, move rock around and so forth.... Do you have a lot of crabs or carnivorous fish that would eat him?

How to avoid it.... Hmmm try acclimaing really slow, make sure no one is bugging him, and if you have the ability, set up a QT and place him in there and make sure he eats again before putting him in your DT.... Flames can be persickity, next time you buy one make sure the LFS has had them for a good week if not more.... If they use copper in the system, ask how long the flame was in the copper and ask how they acclimated him to it...
Good luck next time!

 

sorry to hear that jeremy. as a side note did you get that email?