Angel Not Eating -

jere1558

AC Members
Dec 14, 2006
354
1
0
Pennsylvania
I got 2 Angels 3 weeks ago from a breeder in East Stroudsburg PA. Up until a couple of days ago both were eating and swimming quite well. Now, one has essentially stopped eating.

Both were nickel sized when I got them. Now one is approaching quarter size, the one who is not eating has grown little. He/she is swimming ok. Lazily, but I take that as normal for Angels. Her/his color is good (brilliant silver with black stripes). All fins are symetrical with zero loss. One can be seen here http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96633&highlight=pretty+angel. This photo was taken the day after I got them. Frankly, not sure which one this is as they seem to be pretty much identical.

Water params:
aM=0
nI=0
nA=10
pH=6.8
cu=0
fe=0
temp=78
40-50% water changes weekly using tap water with Prime. Water is adjusted to tank temp before introduction. Gravel is vacuumed weekly. Filter media is rinsed ONLY, in water decanted into tank only bucket, every 2 weeks.
Filter is Fluval 405 at about 3/4 outflow strength
2 12 inch bubble wands
1 1/2 inch air stone
live and plastic plants
several geodes
3 pieces of slate.
Tank is fully cycled (fishless cycle with "borrowed" media). Tank has been running for 6 months.
ONLY new items are the 2 Angels 3 weeks ago.
 
Is his poop stringy and white? If internal parasites I've had good luck with soaking the fishes food with Prazipro and a garlic slice (makes it not taste so bad and they go crazy for it). Good Luck
 
no stringy poops. all fishie poops are seemingly normal.
 
I have Melafix and Pimafix on hand. Use those or get something else?
 
Sorry about your angel! I have 2 angels- mine have done this more than once in the past. ( a few days w/out eating) The get into a funk. I had success w/ blood worms every time- it's the temptation (like a warm browine and a glass of cold milk)You might call the breeder - ask if ther have been any problems on that end? I never thought about Geods in the tank-they must look beautiful! Good Luck
 
Well, I went to my LFS of choice, That Pet Place and talked to the manager in the freshwater department. Described my "problem" and she, too, thought it might be parasitic. So, upon her recommendation, I got API General Cure. It has Metronidazole and Praziquantel for treating gill & skn flukes, HITH, anchor worms, velvet and fish lice.

Treat, wait 48 hours, treat again, wait 48 hours, do 25% water change, add activated charcoal to remove any remaining meds.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

BTW...have tried the blood worms and other frozen treats to tempt him/her to no avail.
 
Treating with medication that goes into a tank for anything internal does no good. Unlike slatwater fish freshwater fish do not drink enough if any for medicine in the water to actually cure them. I'd try either using what you have and soaking their food in it or get some medicated flakes or something soak it with a slice of garlic with it too though (or GarlicGuard if you like to be fancy). Good Luck
 
Yo Windex...IME (granted, 1 year only), I have great success with Mela and Pima for some maladies.

I also have full faith in my chosen LFS. They have a great rep locally and on the internet. One thing to be said...after one treatment, 3 hours later, the NOT eating Angel actually took a blood worm. I count that as success for now. Since he/she is still small, a single bloodworm should be enuf to nourish him/her for a day, at least. I have no problem giving bloodworms every day if that will ensure he/she eats something.

I thank all who have offered help and suggestions.
 
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