I think my Angel is dieing

[ckrause]

My Angel fish is swimming frantically in one spot with it's head pointed down, it wont eat and it's twitching. All the water levels are safe, and the other fish are fine. Is there anything I can do for the Angel? I hate to see it working so hard. I think that if it stops swimming it will go belly up. :huh:

Please help if you can. :sad:

[kjr928]

I'm sorry, but I have no idea. If I were you I'd quarantine that fish especially since you don't know what's wrong with it.

[ckrause]

I wish I had a quarantine tank. Any suggestions on how to create a temporary make shift tank?

[J double R]

large rubbermaid storage container/bin with an airstone and a small filter.

25 bucks, instant QT.

[wataugachicken]

how long has it been acting this way? what do you usually feed it? have you tried giving it different or live foods? what exactly are your water parameters for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? what other fish are in the tank and what size tank is it? the more information you give us, the more likely it will be that someone can suggest a solution to your problem.

[ckrause]

how long has it been acting this way? what do you usually feed it? have you tried giving it different or live foods? what exactly are your water parameters for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? what other fish are in the tank and what size tank is it? the more information you give us, the more likely it will be that someone can suggest a solution to your problem.

I just noticed this behavior this morning and I know for a fact it wasn't acting like this last night. I feed it flake food, tube worms and blood worms. It's a 56 gallon community tank about 6 months old with tetras, danios, gouramis, one cory and one pleco.

Nitrates 40
Nitrite 0
Hardness 120
Alkalinity 80
PH 6.8

[kmail5776]

wow, that's looks like a relatively high hardness with a low pH. Do you use pH buffers? My tap water comes out that hard, but with a pH of 7.8

[ckrause]

The only additive I use is Tetra Aqua's "Aqua Safe" water conditioner during each water change.

[ckrause]

I just did a 25% water change on thursday, do you think I should do another one?

[magakitty]

could be swim bladder disorder - try feeding it mashed peas

[magakitty]

that behavior is called head-standing

[ckrause]

that behavior is called head-standing


Is it fatal?

[ckrause]

Ok, I did another partial water change 25% and added stress zyme and aqua safe. I also measured the ammonia, it's at 0.

[ckrause]

could be swim bladder disorder - try feeding it mashed peas

Is this fatal? Do you cook the peas first? Can you use ones out of a can?

[magakitty]

I use canned peas - some people use frozen - but make sure that they are cooked and soft and take the outside part off. Just use the very soft center of the pea. Swim bladder disease can be fatal. There are some other causes of head standing, such as in barbs it could mean nitrite poisoning. but swim bladder seems to be the most common reason

[ckrause]

Tried with 2 peas, no luck. Any tricks to doing this? They went straight to the bottom and the Angel barely looked at them.

[magakitty]

i mash them up - actually squish them between my fingers, them stick my finger tips in the water and rub them together and the pea breaks into little pieces. my itty bitty espie rasboras really go for them. Is the Angel eating otherwise? I forget if you mentioned this or not - I would worry about the lack of appetite.
I don't know if this will help - but have a look
http://www.answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=359567

[lizziotti]

I have heard that epsom salt can help 1 to 3 tablespoons per 10 gallon. It won't hurt your other fish. Oh and to bring your heat up .Add the salt and heat gradually Good luck.

[magakitty]

I forgot about the epsom salt treatment - could work!!!

[Star_Rider]

swim bladder disease is a catch all for other possible issues with the swim bladder..these range from genetic issues to parasitic infestation and just about everything in between(including constipation)

is the angel eating? any other signs of stress? clamped fins, darkening color hiding?

[ckrause]

I think it might be constipation. It had a pretty large bowel movement around 5 pm and now it is swimming a bit more normally at 9 pm. I just wish I didn't spend $60 at the local fish store on additives and test kits. Oh well, at least I know my ammonia is zero.

[magakitty]

I hope that solves the problem - and it is a good thing to have meds on hand

[ckrause]

Was definitely constipation. Swimming normally and eating again. Who knew taking a dump could do so much for you. Thanks everyone for the help, I learned quite a bit during this crisis.

[Star_Rider]

that's good news.

make sure you vary the food.

I know my angels love to nip at vegetation from time to time.

they will steal the veggie wafers fromt he bn's.

I also feed peas every once in awhile..keyholes love them. as to the rams.

[mcox3]

i had tiger barbs that died of constipation... i think.

when they died they're anus' were poofy... poor guys.