Angel gasping at top

[morfin]

Hi there

One of my angels is gasping at the top of the water. I think he is the one that hasn't been feeding - he doesn't seem to be able to work out how to get his fin out of the way for flake and completely ignores anything that sinks - has been in the tank a week and a half. Although I think he has been eating floor from the floor of the tank that we put in for the plecs. tank temp is 27C stable. Ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrate 10. Did a water change tonight of 30% - this amount done every three days. stock - 8 panda corys, 7 lemon tetras, 7 odessa barbs, 3 bristlenoses, 1 dwarf gourami, 2 angels. All fish are small with none fully grown. Fluval 205. Air stone - which is an air wall so goes all the way along one side of the tank for aeration. any ideas - am I doing something wrong here?

[elementkid65]

what size tank

[Cathy G]

Assuming you have a good tank size and aren't overstocked...

Have you noticed any fish scratching or rubbing themselves on anything? I'm wondering if it is gill flukes. These are invisible to our naked eye and cause respiratory distress big time in young fish... With all that action at the top of your water, it can't be oxygen deprived.

What about fertilizer, is this tank planted at all? Have you added anything chemicals?

PraziPro is a good choice for gill flukes, it is very safe stuff. (Contains Praziquental)
Keep us posted,
Cathy

[morfin]

Hiya sorry, in my attempt at putting all information I forget the size of the tank. It is a 50 gallon tank, and none of the other fish are flashing or scratching, I kept a look out for that. Even the other angel is fine just hanging round. Tank is planted but don't use any fertilisers and don't use any chemicals at all except for dechlorinator on water changes. I'm wondering if maybe he has finally worked out how to eat from the top and is practising but then that could be positive thinking. It was night off from feeding last night, tonight is bloodworms, so will see whether he eats or not. Checked this morning as well and he isn't at the top, but then the lights haven't come on so can't see where he is.

[Star_Rider]

keep us posted

[morfin]

Update - been home an hour now and the angel hasn't been at the top gasping at all. Fed them bloodworms and he was eating really well which was great to see. He also went to the bottom of the tank and ate from there so he got his fair share. I think the first time I have seen him eat since we got them! Seems quite relaxed, but keeps going to the top - this time when he realises there is no more food he just tottles off! Maybe he was just practising how to get the food?

[Cathy G]

Dopey fish! :crazy::crazy:

Cathy