Angelfish Fin Looking Ragged

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diggozo

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Jun 3, 2004
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I have two young Angelfish in my 227 litre tank together with eight Guppies, four young Otos and three small Corys. The water is fine, Nitrates, pH etc all within the right parameters and small water changes effected daily, however . . . the dorsal fin of one of the Angels who like his companion is very active and has an excellent appetite, is becoming very ragged and getting shorter and shorter . . .

Have noticed that the other Angel bullies him/her occasionally (which I am hoping will stop as soon as I can find a couple more to add to the tank) but have not seen it nipping at the fin.

It is so long ago since I kept Angels that I can't remember whether loss of finnage is a natural phenomena or not and whether I should be worried as to other causes.
 
If you have another tank put the weaker angel in it to heal or it will get picked on till its dead....also a few more agels might spread the punishment. I used melafix for my fish when they have some fin damage it sems to help in the healing
 
It's usually advisable to keep angels in odd numbers (unless of course you've got a breeding pair) since with just two you can end up with the problem you're seeing in your tank.
I suggest a tank divider or putting the one being picked on into another tank. The abuse won't stop if they're left together, and his fins won't heal. If he's stressed enough, he could get fin rot or another infection, and then you're in real trouble. If you can isolate him from the other angel and keep him in a very clean tank and feed him high quality foods, the fins should heal fine in a matter of weeks.
 
you can give either one his own tank.
If you want to treat the hurt/sick one put him in a tank by himself till it heals then get another angel and put both of them back in the other tank. If you want and have room get one(or 3more depending on tank size) more angels. I have 3 together at home and no one fights....and if they do the larger one has two to beat on.
 
My Other Half who, incidentally Blinky, also hails from Toronto . . . (oh boy, them Canuckistani brains) had a thought . . . . although I am wanting to only keep Silver Angels which seem to be scarce on our small island, there are in the LFS some other types . . . and she suggested galloping down there tomorrow and buying a few to relieve the pressure on the 'bullied' one rather than banishing him to another tank and when Silvers once again become available will do a trade in and have four or five in the tank until they sort out their sexual preferences . . . hem, hem .

Wot think you?
 
If you've got lots of room (you've got a 227L tank, that's about 50g right?) and if the angels at the store are somewhat similar in size to yours, I'd say go for it. Be prepared though, since one of your angels is injured, the new fish may pick on it and then your problem will be much worse. I'd say if you want to add two or three more, do it, but be prepared to move the poor little battered guy to his own tank if he gets picked on or develops a secondary infection on his damaged fin(s).
BTW, Canucks rule :P
 
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