Angel Problem - *update* Fin Rot, Please Help

[KathyM]

I've recently gone from keeping an oscar and a plec to a more community style tank. We have four very young koi blush angels in there along with various tetras, cories, a small (4-5") gibby and a tiny baby BN. The tank is 48" x 15" x 18", and we'll be upgrading as the gibby grows.

The angels have been here a month now, but this morning started acting strangely. They're hanging round the heater in a group - not ALL the time, but are eating well.

I've run a test and it's like this:

pH: 6.4 - 6.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20 (is this okay?)

Now my tap water pH is 7, so I'm not sure what is bringing the pH down. Can bogwood do that? Either way, I've read that pH of 6.5 is optimal for angels anyway, is this true?

Do you have any ideas why the angels are acting strangely? They're out now, but it's not like them to huddle together like this.

Sorry, forgot to add we have a few plants in there too.

 

[WILDER]

Could be the ph, yes bogwood can alter ph, don't do large water changes with the ph tap water being different from the tank.
Any signs of laboured breathing, what is the temp of the tank.
Any signs of darkening in colour, flicking and rubbing, and are they huddling together.

Just noticed you did say they were huddling together, take a look here not to panic, just to watch out for signs of the desease.
Look under discus plague.
http/www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm

 

[KathyM]

They don't appear to have lost any colour, and haven't got fin rot, so that's a good sign yeah?

They're feeding really well too.

Sorry the temp is 78-80, because I was advised to keep it at that to prevent whitespot. Is that wrong?

 

[WILDER]

Ok, just keep a close eye on them, not sure what the temp should be for angels.

 

[KathyM]

Thanks for your advice. I'm reading up on the angelfish/discus plague and there seem to be differing views on the best course of treatment - many big sites recommending metronidazole and many breeder/owner pages saying it doesn't make any difference and that daily 50% water changes are a better treatment.

What do you lot think?

Also if it turns out to be this, is it a risk to my other fish (who aren't cichlids)?

 

[WILDER]

This is a good site
http/article.dphnet.com/cat-02/plaque.shtml

 

[KathyM]

Thanks Wilder. Not sure that's going to be the best course of action for us, as we don't have another tank. I'll keep an eye on them though, and thanks for the info.

 

[WILDER]

Both sites suggest this, but i wouldn't like to use it.
http/members.tripod.com/discus_australia...s/article3.html

http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/potper.shtml

 

[KathyM]

Yeah that looks dangerous - I'd be frightened of getting it wrong, and I have kids about too.

 

[WILDER]

I don't blame you.
Did you rehone the oscars or did they die.
I would of suggested tetracycline but live in the uk, so hard to get hold of that, only through a doctor or vet.

 

[KathyM]

I only had the one baby rescue oscar that I took in in an emergency and rehomed on to a permanent suitable home (our tank's nowhere near big enough for an O). He wasn't in this tank, although the filters are. However, the fish have been here a month and the "plague" seems to have an onset time of 7-10 days from what I'm reading. It must've come in with one or more of the other fish if it's that.

There are some sites (About.com and the likes) suggesting the use of what seems to me like huge amounts of salt (a tspn per gallon) for this.

I don't know what to do

 

[WILDER]

I will try and find more info for you.
Do you think it is discus plague.

 

[KathyM]

I'm beginning to think so yes - having just checked on them, although they're out and about and swimming/eating, their dorsal fins seem a bit clamped, but then they've always been a bit like that, I thought it was normal for babies.

Thanks so much for your help.

Edited to add: I've only just linked this, and I feel SO stupid. A couple of weeks ago we bought another angel and as we acclimatised it, it died. It was from another shop to these.

I'm beginning to realise how big a mistake it is not having a QT, but I don't have anywhere to put one and didn't know to do that

 

[WILDER]

Found this.
http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/...?cat=49&de=9121

 

[KathyM]

Thanks Wilder I'll have a look at that. I really appreciate your advice - it really helps to have this kind of info on offer to make informed choices.