Angelfish Deaths

[Momma of 2]

I have a 55 gallon and I bought 2 angelfish the other day. The tank is fine and the one death was due to a hungry cat . But by the next day the other one was dead. Which I thought was odd because I haven't had problems with fish and I've been waiting forever to pick up some angelfish. The fish store is usually out and the only ones available are the $15, which I'm not comfortable with picking up. Anyway, the second one was between 2 decorations - I'm not sure if he wedged himself (which I thought unlikely) or the Gouramis stressed him out and he died. Can you mix angelfish with gourami? I didn't see B Cubed (Big Blue B@st@rd), my blue gourami, bothering him. B Cubed usually sticks to torturing the other gourami in the tank, but I could have missed something. I don't want to make the same mistake if its a bad idea to mix them.

 

[Momma of 2]

Oh I should mention - I can't for the life of me figure out how the cat got the fish out of the tank. I made sure that the area that the filter is in was as small as possible. He still went fishing anyway. Ugh!

 

[kribensis12]

How long has the tank been set up? What are your water stat's? What is you stocking level? Wha tkinda behaviour did your angel's show before dieing? How big were they? Did you acclimate? Is your lfs a chain store?

 

[Momma of 2]

I don't like chain stores - I go to my local fish store. I've never had problems with angelfish before are they sensitive? Because that may have been the problem. I had a pair in a 10 gallon all through high school without a problem. But its been 13 years since they died and they were by themselves in the tank. I just set this tank up a week and a half ago because my 29 gallon blew out its bottom. I replaced it with a 55 gallon and the fish I already had are thriving as well as the plants. The fish I bought with the angelfish are thriving as well. But they are tetras and they have always seemed to be rather hardy.

The angelfish were rather small. And I'm sorry but other than adding water conditioner, changing filters (regular and bio) every 2 weeks, and keeping the water as clean and clear as possible - I've never checked my water. I've had fish in this house for 4 years, since I moved here, and they are always brilliant with color and I've never had a fish just up and die. That's probably an ugly thing to hear for fish enthusiast but I seriously have never had a problem. But what I can tell you is that the angelfish was being rather seclusive. Both of them just stared at the side of the tank on the bottom and didn't really move around. which really surprised me when the one came up missing (I have to conclude the cat somehow got it out).

Thanks kribensis12, for trying to get an answer to me so quickly. I something I responded with gives you an idea as to what went wrong. I'd like to pick up a couple more. But not till I'm sure.

 

[kribensis12]

Ask your lfs to test your water. You welcome about my quick responses( they are a result of me having no-life except for school). Small angelfish are a burden as they dont do well! Are your filter's new? Your tank need;s to be cycled, or your fish WILL die. Google Nitrafication Cyle, and it will tell you about it. Angelfish are VERY sensitive. Your angel's could have lasted longer if you had kept those angels in maybe a 20g or biger, not a 10g. As not having enough space shortens their lifetime. I would make sure your tank is cycled and that you water is good before adding angel's.

 

[Momma of 2]

The 10 gallon was high school, 13 years ago. I have a 55 gallon right now and the filters were a week old when the fish went in.

Thanks for your advice. I wasn't sure what direction to move in.

I put pictures of the tank in the member's aquarium pic section. Its under B Cubed and Friends. If your interested.

 

[Tolak]

I don't like chain stores - I go to my local fish store. I've never had problems with angelfish before are they sensitive? Because that may have been the problem. I had a pair in a 10 gallon all through high school without a problem. But its been 13 years since they died and they were by themselves in the tank. I just set this tank up a week and a half ago because my 29 gallon blew out its bottom. I replaced it with a 55 gallon and the fish I already had are thriving as well as the plants. The fish I bought with the angelfish are thriving as well. But they are tetras and they have always seemed to be rather hardy.

The angelfish were rather small. And I'm sorry but other than adding water conditioner, changing filters (regular and bio) every 2 weeks, and keeping the water as clean and clear as possible - I've never checked my water. I've had fish in this house for 4 years, since I moved here, and they are always brilliant with color and I've never had a fish just up and die. That's probably an ugly thing to hear for fish enthusiast but I seriously have never had a problem. But what I can tell you is that the angelfish was being rather seclusive. Both of them just stared at the side of the tank on the bottom and didn't really move around. which really surprised me when the one came up missing (I have to conclude the cat somehow got it out).

Thanks kribensis12, for trying to get an answer to me so quickly. I something I responded with gives you an idea as to what went wrong. I'd like to pick up a couple more. But not till I'm sure.

The 10 gallon was high school, 13 years ago. I have a 55 gallon right now and the filters were a week old when the fish went in.

Thanks for your advice. I wasn't sure what direction to move in.

I put pictures of the tank in the member's aquarium pic section. Its under B Cubed and Friends. If your interested.

Being a newer tank, it sounds like it is still cycling. Changing filter media every two weeks is not needed, you are probably removing a good portion of your nitrifying bacteria. Results of water tests will show this, make sure you have the shop write down the numbers for you. Fine or ok is not a result anyone can use, as what is fine or ok for some shops is in actuality not.

The shortest time I've ever seen a tank fully cycle, aside from cloning, is two weeks, it often takes longer.

 

[Momma of 2]

Being a newer tank, it sounds like it is still cycling. Changing filter media every two weeks is not needed, you are probably removing a good portion of your nitrifying bacteria.

Really!?! I did not know that. That's what the filter unit stated on the lid - every 2 to 4 weeks. So I was following those directions. thanks Tolak

 

[Tolak]

Filter manufacturers love to sell media, these continuing sales keep them in business. I have filter media that is over 4 years old running now, the record for me is an Aqua Clear sponge that ran for 7 years.

Eventually the media will deteriorate. When this happens, fast the fish for 24 hours before switching media, and feed lightly for the next week. Less food means less waste produced. Take the old media, and float it in the tank after rinsing with old tank or other dechlorinated water, this helps to transfer the nitrifying bacteria to the new media. These things will help to prevent ammonia & nitrite spikes.

 

[Momma of 2]

Wow! thanks a lot (((Tolak)))!