angel swims vertical all the time?

Captnslapy

Captnslapy

AC Members
Aug 25, 2008
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Vermilion,Ohio
A few days ago I noticed one of my angels started swimming with his nose up towards the top of the tank. Looks like when I'm feeding them and they are searching for food. When I go near the tank he greats me like all the other fish and sometimes he is swiming normally. But everytime I look at the tank, he's back in the corner with nose up. I have a 90 gallon tank. Amm. 0,nitries 0,nitrates 10(normally at 5). Temp runs about 80. I have a huge wet dry and a whisper triad 3000 on the tank. the fish is not gasping for air or scraping or really doing anything different, except for the vertical swimming. There is 3 other angels in the tank and they are fine. Anybody have any ideas if there is problem that I need to be worried about? I tried to get some pics of him. It's the angel in the back by the filter tube. Hangs out there all day til I go to the tank to feed then he seems fine.

HPIM1965.JPG HPIM1968.JPG
 
Wow that is very strange. Does it look stressed or breathing heavily?
 
I see no signs of stress. I just checked him out and he's swimming like all the other fish. Correction he's back in the corner. Oh this is wierd, he just did a whole lap around the tank ,vertical. I picked this angel and another one just like him, a few months ago. They came with a tank I purchased. The man said that he had them for a long time so I don't know how old they are. And if you can see it, they are always very fat. Not like they were just fed fat, but almost popping fat all the time. I put food on the opposite side of the tank and he came over and ate, then back to the corner. I hope this isn't something that my other fish can catch.
 
Is the fish pooping? Normally swimming problems are related to swim bladder issues. However the bladder irself is not normally the issue but it is effected by what is. The most common cause of problems is constipation. This can cause fish to swell as well. Usually the cause is diet. What are you feeding?

The cure for constipation is to add epsom salts to the water. Because epsom will increase the TDS/GH, it needs to be added gradually over time. The highest dose one should reach is about 3 tablespoons per 10 gals of water. This should be added in about 3 doses over at least a day and two is better. The epsom should be mixed with tank or dechlored water and added that way. The gradual dosing also gives you a chance to see if it is working before adding more. It is best to do this in a bare bottom tank so you can see the poop on the bottom to know if the fish is going.

The next most common cause of swim bladder problems is an internal bacterial infection which would be treated using antibiotics. Next would be then internal parasites or worms. Since you got the fish healthy my guess is it is constipation related so I would start there and with the epsom. Epsom is cheap and available at any pharmacy.
 
I'm with two tank on this. it appears in the picture the fish may have signs of bloating.
not 100% + on this but it just looks like it in the picture.

I'd try the epsom first then .
 
They get fed tetra cichlid mini granules and tetra flakes. Then every now and then they get beef heart and some shrimp. I agree that they look bloated but they came to me looking like that. I picked them up in the beguining of june. They've had salt befor. When I first got them and nuthing changed. They get fed twice a day. I'm at a loss. I hate to take him out, but I don't think I can leave him in there. :wall:
 
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