Angelfish With Huge Lips... Is It Sick?

[2polypterus]

Well the tank was fully cycled when he went in so there should not have been any ammonia, just an escalating nitrate level. I bought the Maracyn today but I still have to find some Maracyn-two. The angel is doing well in the QT tank though, the red line has actually faded and it is eating well. I guess just the nice clean water is helping!

 

[Tolak]

Clean water is one of the best medications for fish. That is the reason most meds include instructions for frequent water changes. I've healed some pretty torn up angels on daily 50% water changes alone.

 

[newfishaddict]

If the fish is eating I wouldn't worry about the lips. They are actually what is referred to as fibroma, I looked into it, and they can be surgically removed. This takes a steady hand, and a sharp, clean blade. Care is needed to remove only the overgrown tissue, the bottom lip tends to heal better than the top. I would only be concerned with this if the fish seems to have difficulty eating.

The lip fibroma may be related to the undersized tank the fish grew in, the septicemia & stunting almost certainly are. The fish may or may not grow more if given the proper amount of tank space, as well as a good diet. This will probably depend more on the age of the fish, it only seems slightly stunted, as the fins appear to be in pretty good shape. A dime size angel is usually around 2 to 3 months old, so this fish is around 14 or 15 months old, giving it a decent chance.

I "abused" some fish, raising too many fry in a small tank and they looked like that....

 

[2polypterus]

I had to get a LFS to order the maracyn-two for me so I won't have it right away but luckily the angel is still doing really well. I got rid of the goldfish and I am keeping the QT tank really pristine. I am trying to convince my cousin to either take care of her tank or just break it down. She had good intentions when I gave it to her but I guess got bored of taking care of it. There are still 2 green cories and 6 bloodfins in there. The water is yellow from the lack of water changes, its gross!

 

[newfishaddict]

I had to get a LFS to order the maracyn-two for me so I won't have it right away but luckily the angel is still doing really well. I got rid of the goldfish and I am keeping the QT tank really pristine. I am trying to convince my cousin to either take care of her tank or just break it down. She had good intentions when I gave it to her but I guess got bored of taking care of it. There are still 2 green cories and 6 bloodfins in there. The water is yellow from the lack of water changes, its gross!

I got the active ingredient in marcin two, erythro, from my family doctor for 5$ canadian; this is "mildly" illegal so....a vet specializing in exotics could do it for you for a bit more but less than pet stores.

 

[2polypterus]

I have never ever heard of fish "vet" around here... I wish! I can't even find a vet to treat my goats right now let alone fish!!! They all do dogs, cats, rabbits and horses...

 

[Tolak]

I order most meds online. Check out http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/

 

[2polypterus]

Wow thats a cool site thanks! I bookmarked it in case I need it some day.