Damn Heater

[dirtydogg]

I came home from a short trip the other day to find my living room tank very very cold. After inspection I saw both the male and female rams dead on the sand and the angel fish almost there, lying on his side with labored breathing. I ran and got a couple of spare heaters, three of them for very small tanks, and began placing them around the tank. My wife was on Angel watch during all of this keeping the fish moving, I thought would help it , while I did a 20% water change with slightly warmer water. I then ran to the lfs, they where closing but luckily they know me, and purchased a new heater.

To my relief the angel has made it but it isn't acting in the same manner it used to. It swims sometimes completely sideways but usually at a slight tilt, and it stays right next to the filter return. Just doesn't look healthy. Does anybody know of anything I can do to help him?

 

[blitztidus]

How long ago did it happen?

p.s. rams

 

[dirtydogg]

It's been about ten days now. I assumed he would be back to his old self by now, but no.

 

[Spencer Pike]

If you only have 1 angel then mabey you should get another so it has a friend. It may make it happier. Sorry to hear about the rams

 

[dirtydogg]

I've been considering that, my only worry is if the new angel becomes aggressive I'm not sure he will be able to escape or defend himself.

 

[Tolak]

What temperature is the tank now? Angels like it warm, 80 to 84F is good. It could be a little constipation, a fish's metabolism slows down when it is colder, and digests food more slowly. This can affect the swim bladder, causing out of balance swimming, or the inability to stay off the bottom or top.

I would start with adding some epsom salt to the water, start with one teaspoon per 10 gallons of water, add a teasoon per 10 gallons for a couple of days until you get to three teaspoons per 10 gallons. I've had good results using epsom with angels who have constipation/swim bladder issues.

If there is no change after 5 days of treating with epsom, pick up some Maracyn & Maracyn II. This will help with swim bladder infections, which it may have due to the drop in temperature. You can use both of these along with the epsom, I have yet to find a med that can't be used with epsom salt.

Keep up on the water changes, this is the best treatment for an ill fish. When you do water changes, don't forget to add enough epsom salt for the quantity of water you are replacing.

 

[dirtydogg]

Thanks for the suggestion , I'm going to start dosing the salt today. Is my pleco going to be o.k. with the salt or should I move him? I'll post if anything changes

The temp is 80.5 f

 

[Tolak]

Epsom salt is different from aquarium salt, I've used it with plecs & corys before. It won't bother them.