Angelfish Concern--

[Booboo puppy]

I have six young angelfish in my 44 gallon tank. They are quarter sized. I am not interested in raising angelfish. They are siblings and so far there are no signs of aggression. They seem to school together and none have paired off. These fish had a very rough start--the "overnight" shipping here took four days (I lost 7 right away).

For several weeks, one seems to swim sideways frequently. I thought it was residue from the rough trip home, and have been expecting the fish to die. Althought I've checked on him, I hadn't noticed until last night that he has only one eye. I've been feeding the group on one side of the tank, and then putting food on the other side for him as he always seems to hang back.

Will he be okay in the tank with the other fish, or should I remove him to a separate tank for his protection? Could this injury be from the other fish? I have a spare 10 gallon tank that I could set up for him and maybe some cories. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Well, I think the one eye part should be okay, he will learn to adapt, but the swimming on one side may be a problem. This sounds like a swim bladder issue, it may have got damaged, and that could be the reason for the awkward swimming. Try to feed him a cooked pea and see if that helps, from what I understand it will cleans his digestive track, but swim bladder can't really be treated

I would also skip feeding him for a day or so after you feed the pea, and see if it helps.

 

[Booboo puppy]

Thanks. After doing some more reading here, I think he may have had popeye. One of the other angelfish seems to have that too. I have some medication and plan to transfer the two of them to a 10 gallon tank and treat them there. I also bought new test supplies so I can keep a better watch on the water conditions, including an ammonia indicator.

 

[Tolak]

It may be turning slightly to get a better view with its good eye. If it seems to be doing it more at feeding time this would more than likely be the cause. Once you get a handle on the popeye it should live a long & happy life with just one eye.

 

[Booboo puppy]

Thank you. The two have been transferred to the 10 gallon tank and I've begun treatment with an anti-bacterial medication.

 

[Straydum]

i also feel its how tolak had mention. one my angels recently had a cloudy eye on one side and it was swimming slanted for awhile

 

[Booboo puppy]

So far the two seem to be "perking" up some. They are eating and getting along well in their 10 gallon tank. I sure appreciate the help that's available at this forum

 

[Booboo puppy]

The fish with popeye died. The one-eyed angel fish was moved back into the large tank. There are now 5 angelfish in the 40 gallon tank, along with 6 harlequin rasboras, 9 small cories, and 1 bristlenose plec. After a few weeks, the other angel fish now seem to pick at the one with just one eye.

Would he be okay in a 10 gallon without other angel fish, but maybe some corys for company? Or should I watch the others and if there is a pair, move them to the 10 gallon tank? I don't plan to raise angel fish fry, but would move them to ease up on the aggression.