Angels- erratic swimming, twitching- Help!

[clb2196]

I posted a thread earlier, about one of my angels running into the tank wall. Well, later that day, it did it again, twice. Both time there was nothing near the tank. The last time it happened, it was hiding in the corner in the back, and the next time I saw it, it was dead.

Now, what's freaking me out, is my other angel is doing it! Happened 4 or 5 times now. this one hasn't hit the wall as hard. what happens is it will start swimming fast, then seeming panic and race around in circles, swimming jerkily, then either hit something, or just stop. Sometimes it'll float to the top for a while, usually on its side, breathe really heavily, then maybe a half hour later seems ok.

Something has got to be wrong. This started before my water change last week, I'm scheduled to do one tonight, but I'm almost afraid to go near the tank! I got these 2 angels together, I would guess they're from the same spawn. Could there be some kind of genetic neorological issue??

I'm really at a loss. the poor fish seems so freaked out, it's horrible to watch.

This is a 36 gallon tank, other inhabitants are cardinal tetras, and apisto, and kuhli loaches. Water changes once a week, params are consistantly 0/0/5-10, tanks been running about a year and a half.

Now... I almost hesitate to mention this, but one of the kuhli loaches was swimming erratically also, then resting on its side. Of course, it's a kuhli loach, so who knows what erratic is? But I wanted to bring it up, in case there are possibilities that aren't related the to angels.

Any ideas? I'm really desperate here. I'm so sad that I already lost one of these gorgeous angels, I'd hate to lose the other.

 

[slackline]

A water change wouldn't hurt. Are fins clamped or are the gills flared? Any spots on the gills?

 

[clb2196]

A water change wouldn't hurt. Are fins clamped or are the gills flared? Any spots on the gills?

Nope to all of them. Seems otherwise perfectly healthy and happy.

I'm wondering... low oxygen levels? The temp is higher since it's been hot here. Not warm enough to cause problems, but maybe low enough to lower the O2? Going to go stick an air stone in. And probably do the water change too.

 

[slackline]

I wouldn't guess the O2 is low as the fish would be at the surface. If you have water moving on the surface, that shouldn't be an issue even with warmer than normal temps. I'd make sure to do the water change and watch what happens.

 

[clb2196]

Anyone else? Water change didn't seem to help (and luckily the angel just stayed in the corner the whole time, I was worried it'd freak out or end up jumping). I added the bubbler too, can't hurt I guess.

Other fish all seem fine. If it was a problem with the tank, I would assume the cardinal tetras would start dying, they're the most sensitive.

I should also mention- the angel is still eating, at least. And besides occassionally hunkering down in the corner, especially for a while after having this "attack" just cruises the tak like normal.

 

[Cerianthus]

If no visinble symptoms to naked eyes, try manifying glass. It may or may not help but worth a try.

If no progress with Mag Glass, how about your pH?
Although your tank is old and mature enough as your test indicates, wondering if these two angels are more than year old?

If obtained thru lfs, probably not from same batch unless lfs obtained thru a local breeder.

With an assumption that this not genetic disorder since I have experienced similar symptoms as you described during my years in breeding angels, I came to conclusion that it could be prolonged exposure to extreme water condition as frequency of such mishap and/or other mishaps were drastically reduced when Ideal/Stable condition were provided. (Built a river system where water is flushed/sprayed 24/7/365 thus I was able to maintain stable/optimal/ideal condition for fish kept in the stacks of tanks of specific river system.)

Regardless of what others may claim that fish can tolerate wide range of pH, and I do agree with such depending on specific fish and to different range of pH levels, I learned that fish (not just angels) tend to develop more problems with higher frequency due to prolonged exposure to EXTREME water condition, including pH. I believe such exposures contribute to Slow degradation process of their general health.
Wondering if your angels were exposed to extreme pH for long time? Will wait for your reply before going any further.

Another possibility is that internal infestations which do cause similar behavior. Check their physiacal appearance , especially around belly and their excretes.

Hope this help a bit!

 

[H2Ogal]

Stray electrical voltage/current in the tank? I can't help with how to confirm or correct such a problem, as I just learned recently that it's possible and can cause individual fish to suddenly swim/dash erratically around the tank. Try a search here. I think that Gunner has posted about it before.

 

[clb2196]

Stray electrical voltage/current in the tank? I can't help with how to confirm or correct such a problem, as I just learned recently that it's possible and can cause individual fish to suddenly swim/dash erratically around the tank. Try a search here. I think that Gunner has posted about it before.

I was wondering about this. But the heaters, although in the tank, have been unplugged since before I got the angels. I checked the filter and don't see anything that could cause it.

As far as ph- mine is low, around 6.6. But it's always been that way. I've only have the angels less then a month, there's no way they're over a year. They were silver dollar size when I got them, maybe 1/3 bigger than that now. There was a tank of these angels at the LFS, all the same size. They're good about getting good stock (they won't stock a fish if they can't get high quality), but it wouldn't surprise me if they got the spawn from a local breeder as trade or something. But I don't think the ph was a problem.

Internal parasites or something are possible. I haven't seen any symptoms that would indicate it. FWIW, this angel does continue to eat through the whole ordeal. With internal parasites they wouldn't eat, right? I unfortunately haven't noticed any poo strands, but I'll try to keep a better eye out today.