Altum angels

[manytanks]

Well, we finally took the plunge today, mortgaged the house and purchased 3 altims today from SuperPet in Barrhaven. They came at a moderate price, as Ottawa prices seem to go for these wild guys. No, don't even ask.

We have a well-planted 60 gallon tank, pH of 6.8, and some friendly tankmates (guppies, rummynoses, 1 clown loach). These altims have been in-store for 2+ months, will take a variety of foods and seem fairly well-adjusted. Steve at Barrhaven was most helpful.

Tanksalot (wife) wants to breed them (!!) but most of all we just want to protect our investment.  I don't think there are too many of these around, but does anyone have experiences to share, helpful suggestions or cautions for us?

//Manytanks

[Julie]

Have you posted a picture of your Altum in your Avatar - very nice.  We need more pictures - they are a lovely fish.  
What kind of water parameters do they require?

Some of my best fish have come from Steve.  He's knowledgeable and quite the salesman.

[tanksalot]

No the avatar is borrowed from the net....we'll take some pics of our altum trio very soon :-)

many apologies for manytanks' bad spelling I absolutely cringed when I read 'altims' yikes!!!!!!!! I have been the one doing the research and reading, he just pays the bills and does the water changes  (big grin--sorry manytanks--meant in good fun! xox)

Altums require soft acidic warm water. We have had our planted 60 g going for six months planning on one day putting altums in it.  manytanks diligently used snow melt and now rain water filtered over peat (with some well water for buffering), and his home-made Co2  to get our ph to 6.8. We have the temp at 79-80 but we are increasing that to 82.
/tanksalot
edited to say I've added our very own avatar!

[Julie]

I remember seeing a really nice black/silver Altum by the Discus tanks all by his lonesome.(at Superpet)

Here's an interesting site on Altums.

http://www.angelfish.net/yabbse/index.php?board=11

[luvfishies]

Treat Altums like Discus. Large, frequent waterchanges, a variety of meaty foods. acidic water, lightly planted.

I am soooo jealous, as I adore Altum Angels.

[tanksalot]

Thanks for the link jules, I had eagerly read that forum many months ago, but had lost the bookmark, nice to have it back again!

Which SP did you see the altum in? When? I've only seen the three we now have from Barhaven (there for the last couple of months or more) and the duo at Big Al's in Kanata, that are still there. I've never seen any at the Kanata SP (they did have a p.scalare with altum-like colouring, but it wasn't an altum, he was by his lonesome--maybe you meant him?) .

/tanksalot

[Julie]

I saw the Altum at the Barrhaven Superpet.