Help Asap!!

[NJ Devils Fan]

Today, I brought back one of my angel fish because he was just like floating around and flipping over and doing circles backwards. I thought he was about to die, so I brought him back and got a different one(the other angel was fine). Now, the other angel is doing the same thing. What can I do so that it won't die? There is enough air because I just put the air pump in the tank.

[OrionGirl]

If the water conditions are still in the green, I would check out the temps and making sure they've been stable. UV's can cause temp fluctutations, which might cause problems.

Also, I might slow down the water flow a bit--angels tend to prefer slow moving waters, something along the lines of a drifting stream, instead of a quick torrent. That might be causing the angels some discomfort. Just make sure there's a still area for the fish to rest in.

I haven't had angels for a number of year, so someone else might have a better idea about the behavior.

[NJ Devils Fan]

It was fine until a few hours ago when I saw it acting weird. There are plenty of areas where there isn't much movement. I will put it in my small tank and add some salt and stress coat, but other then that, there is nothing I can do.

[OrionGirl]

Move it to the smaller tank, but don't add salt and stress coat. Angels are low pH, soft water fish, with very lower TDS. Adding salts and other 'stuff' won't help, and it might hurt. That might be part of the problem--what is your pH? Do you have salt in there already?

[NJ Devils Fan]

Ph is 7. I put some salt in there on Friday, but nothing other then that.

[OrionGirl]

Angels don't like, want, or need salt. Freshwater fish do not benefit from salt in the water, unless you are treating a specifc ailment or condition.

Sorry--I know this is one that is hotly debated, but angels and salt really are a bad mix.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I thought that he was dead, but when I walked over there, he started swimming again(sideways). It looks like he is fighting it. If he isn't dead by morning, it will be a miracle.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Forget it, he kicked the bucket.

[pinballqueen]

I've never had good luck with angels. They all wind up doing the same thing yours did, teetering around sideways, not able to stay vertical, and getting knocked around in the current. They're a little fragile for me, so I quit trying to keep them after I had 3 in a row kick over. They're a little expensive to be that easy to kill...

Then again, reading O-girl's post, I just might not have the right kind of water... I think mine's more suited to an African environment, hard, alkaline, mineral heavy... yup. Glad I'm getting a featherfin, he'll feel right at home...