Can't Figure Out Whats Up With My Angelfish

[LaurieLou]

Ok, this is so far removed from normal behaviour and I really don't know what to do. We have a 55 gallon tank, 4 angels, 5 small otos, 5 corys, lots of plants. We do 30-50% water changes every week, parameters are normal (ph 7.0, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5). Anyway, everything has been fine, then this moning one of my angels starts acting strange, darting around the tank, very skittish. Not normal, she usually comes right to me when I approach, just kind of shaking herself back and forth. This was about 6 hours ago, then she calms down. I did my weekly water change today and now she won't come out from behind the heater. She is not gasping for air, I don't see her gills clamped, but she is refusing to eat and is very still. I am getting very concerned and my husband and I are about ready to make an emergency run to set up a hospital tank (yeah, I know, should already have). Anyway, she has paired off with another angel and he won't leave her side, he came out to eat, but went right back to her. Or maybe the sick one is a he, I don't know. In any case, I am mentally running through all diseases/parasite, etc and I don't have a clue. All the other fish are fine. Any ideas? The only thing about her that looks different is some kind of white string hanging from where she goes poops and a pink something attached to it.
I am really attached to this fish...any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Puffdaddy]

If your fish has white poo or long stings of poo resembling sausage links the fish is constipated. Try feeding it pea if you can. What do you curently feed them?

 

[LaurieLou]

2x per week they get some frozen brine shrimp, 2 times per week dried bloodworms, both as a night time treat. Every morning a pinch of tetra flakes, 1 time per week a piece of lettuce. The white string is gone now but she is really worrying me.

 

[Puffdaddy]

O.K. may not be constipation do to the variety in the diet so try this link it should help you fish fecal disorders

 

[WILDER]

Darting around can be bad water quality to parasites.
Have you seen any mucas in the fish poo, red poo can indicate parasites, had the fish gone thin or bloated up.
Check the anus of the fish to see if its enlarged or red and inflamed.

 

[Puffdaddy]

Although a fish darting around the tank is a sign of some sort of parasite. I will do some searching to try and help you.

edit> I just seen your post Wilder you beat me to it

 

[LaurieLou]

I know this is a completly stupid question, but nothing new has been introduced into this tank. Can a parasite really appear so quickly? And not affect the other fish?

Also, the skittishness stopped hours ago, now she just hides, but it looks like her belly is a little swollen.And here is the kicker...she has just started rubbing her side on the clip that is holding the lettuce.

 

[WILDER]

Can you describe the pink thing attached to it, fish carry parasites it only takes stress and ill health for them to kick in and do there damage.

 

[LaurieLou]

It was a thin white string with this small hook shaped blob attached at the end. I really didn't think it was poop, wasn't sure and it has since fallen off. She has come out to eat a bite of lettuce but is back in her corner now. She only rubbed herself a few times on the clip.

 

[WILDER]

Did it look like this pic.
http/www.fishpalace.org/unknownworms1_mikeaofa.jpg

Can you get this med.

Metronidazole: (FLAGYL) Treatment of hole in the head disease (
hexamita ) salt water ich or bloat. 250 ml per 20 gallons of water, and can be mixed in foods.

 

[LaurieLou]

No, it was actually about 1 inch long with the small pink blob attched to the end of it, like a hook.

 

[WILDER]

Tolak online get in touch he great on angels.
Think you are dealing with internal parasites sure it wasn't red instead of pink.

 

[Tolak]

Check your post in nw cichlids.

 

[LaurieLou]

Well, it wasn't red, but more of a dark pink. And I need to say thank you so much to puffdaddy, wilder and now tolak. These darn angels are my babies, I really don't want to lose her.

 

[Puffdaddy]

Sounds like it could Be Hexamita (often confused with hole in the head desease). Can you isolate the fish. A home remady for Hexamita in Angelfish and Discus is to raise the temp to 92-100F (33-37C) and yes as Wilder stated Metronidazole helps.