"fluttering" Angels

[Ludwig Venter]

About 2 weeks ago, my Marble angel started "fluttering" (best descriptive word I can think of for what he is doing).....

It seems that he has difficulty in staying at the middle to top section of the tank and has to put in extra effort to reach the top..... The moment he stops "fluttering", he sinks to the bottom like a ton of bricks.... He spends most of his time on the bottom leaning against plants & rocks to stay upright.

This morning, I noticed a cloud Angel starting with the same symptoms and to a lesser degree, my Blue Discus.....

My water changes are regular (and healthy) & all other fish seems ok....

 

[Ludwig Venter]

When I say "Fluttering", I mean it looks like he is trying to fly, (like a bird) using only his 2 pectorals as wings..... His stance is at 45 degrees with his head facing upwards, and as soon as he stops flying, he sinks slowly to the bottom....

 

[WILDER]

Have you checked your water stats.
Sounds bacterial.
Is the fish bloated.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Have you checked your water stats.
Sounds bacterial.
Is the fish bloated.

The fish is not bloated... normal shape.... & as for stats, (I'm not being funny) the cost of a test kit around here is equivalent to setting up a 3ft tank at least.... Hence, I've never measured any water stats....

 

[WILDER]

Do the lfs test the water for free.
I would add a bacterial med.
Had a link to what the fish had but it's not working.
Does the fish look pale or darker in colour, and acting listless and lethagic.
What do you feed your fish.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

The lfs around here are basically not aware that you should test your water from time to time.....

I feed frozen bloodworm, and Hikari discus pellets (mainly) (at times, chopped earthworm) & no... The fish is its usual colour.... Only symptom is that it struggles to stay afloat....

 

[WILDER]

I would feed the fish a more varied diet of frozen foods such as daphnia which is very good for digesting a fish food, brimstrimp.
Some green veg is good like cucumba, sproats, cabbage, spinach, peas.

I would add a bacterial med to the tank.
Don't over feed bloodworms it can make fish bloat up.
best not to feed bloodworms more than twice a week.
The earth worms are they out of the garden if so do you use chemicals.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Will try all of those things, & I purchase the earthworms from a guy breeding them for angling purposes....

 

[WILDER]

Thats fine then.
You will need an internal bacterial med.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Thats fine then.
You will need an internal bacterial med.

Just happen to have one in the garage... "Tanks" for the info....

 

[WILDER]

Good Luck.

The third type of infection produced by Aeromonas is by no means the least. This form is often the most virulent (potent) and can be rapidly fatal. This insidious form does not produce any noticeable external ulcers. The most notable feature is a behavioral change in which the infected fish generally become listless and lethargic. Some fish may lose color or appear darker. The fish do not feed, frequently seem off balance and may sink to the bottom laying on their sides. The course of the disease is rapid, and by the time the behavioral changes are noticed, the entire population of a tank may succumb, sometimes in a day or so. This is an internal infection, with the bacteria being found in the kidneys and blood of these fish. The bacteria produce potent toxins that account for the severity of the disease.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

The only ailments I ever encounter is either dropsy or ich.... Ich I have a foolproof cure for and I,ve given up trying to do anything about dropsy apart from removing the fish & euthanazing....

That's why I'm stumped with this one, as it is fish I obtained specifically for breeding purposes & would hate to lose it.....

 

[WILDER]

All you can do is try the bacterial med.
Fingers crossed and good luck.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

This is a pic of the "infected" Angel and the Discus.... (the Discus seems better after the bacterial treatment, but the Angel still has this upward struggling stance.....

 

[WILDER]

How long have you being using the med now, and how long do you have left to treat.
Tolak the mod keeps angels and he knows a very lot about him, I would maybe pm him and ask for some advice.