Heads Up!

[Captain Rigger]

Hello,

I am new to the forum (and the site). I was wondering if someone could share their wisdom regarding a recent issue with my Angelfish?

I have recently upgraded to a larger aquarium. The old one was 135L - the new one is 330L. The new tank was set up about a week before any fish were added. In setting up the tank, I used a portion of water from the old tank (taken during a water-change). After about a week, I transferred some Black Widow tetras into the new tank. At this point, Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite was slight (not sure exact reading), and Nitrate 0ppm. After a couple of days, I had the water checked again, and the cycle was complete (Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm and Nitrate about 10ppm.)

The balance of my fish were slowly transferred over about 2 weeks. (2 swordtails, 2 rosy tetras, 1 pleco, 3 clown loaches, 2 silver sharks, 3 angelfish).

All fish in the new tank were (and still are) doing fine except the largest Angel.

The 2 silver sharks and the 3 angelfish were the last to be transferred. I noticed before transferring the Angels that the largest Angel was acting peculiar. He/she was swimming strangely - I hear the word 'shimmy' used - not sure if this is what it is doing, but seems an apt description. He/she now swims with its head up at all times - and seems to spending considerable energy to stay afloat. This was a very strong and healthy fit (seemingly) and all of a sudden it's swimming like this. The fish can still move pretty quickly across the tank when it wants to, but it has lost its usual grace.

Now that it is in the new tank, the behaviour hasn't changed. All other fish are fine.

I've tried to research the symptom. At first I read that female Angels sometimes swim like this after dropping eggs (to fan the eggs) - but to me it seems more swim-bladder related. (Although from what I read most swim-bladder issues result in upside down, sideways or head down bum up swimming).

He'she is still eating - although not as much it seems. Also, there are no other signs - no bloated or distended belly - no lesions - fins are well fanned - good colour.

I though it may be stress related (with the big move) - but the behaviour started before the fish was moved. Could it have been the anticipation? The gradual loss of the other fish in the tank as they were moved first?

Any advice on what this may be, or what I can do to treat the fish would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

does he always (like 100% of the time) have his head up?

i once had an angel who did that a lot but he grew big and strong, and he lived a while. i'm no angel expert, but in my experiences i think he might be okay.

 

[Captain Rigger]

Well not 100% of the time - he/she will occasionally right itself but seems to put its head straight back up again - it waves its tail and stares at the surface - 95% of the time. I get the impression that it has to do this to stay off the bottom?

 

[Luzi]

How tall is you tank? angels need a tan at least 3x as tall as them (usually 50cm). It could be swimming like that because the tank's not tall enough (though a 330L wold have to be pretty short). THat's just my guess

 

[Captain Rigger]

The tank is nearly 60cm high - and this behaviour started in the old tank (which was even taller).

I have no idea what to do...

 

[karin]

I am a bit confused about your method for cycling the tank. Water from one tank to another will not sufficiently establish the biofilter. I am suspecting you have high levels of nitrite or ammonia, despite the fact that you tested for these. From your post it looks like you had the fish store test these once or twice. These should be tested daily during tank transfers because so much can go wrong with your cycle. Get an API test kit ASAP and do your own tests.

 

[Captain Rigger]

Thanks Karin.

I do test daily. During the time the tetras were in there alone, the Ammonia rose, then the Nitrite rose and the Ammonia dropped and then the Nitrate rose and the Nitrite dropped. Then I had my test confirmed at the fish store (and the Nitrate had reduced further). The levels have remained around the same (as above) for the past couple of weeks. All other fish are very happy and healthy.

I last night moved the Angel into a quarantine tank anyway (long established tank). Behaviour still the same. This fish doesn't look physically sick - just swimming strangely.

Thanks anyway.

 

[karin]

Sorry, I misunderstood your first post. Just another thought, and your moving him to the Q tank will answer this, could it have been breeding behavior. My male angel does a bit of the head in the sky and shimmering for his woman angel around spawning time. Just a long shot thought.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

wierd. my angel did that a bit and he was alone.

 

[Captain Rigger]

I was hoping that it was breeding related - but these are the first angels that I've kept to this size - not fully grown yet, but getting quite large. So I am unsure what to expect - I would really like to raise some angel fry.

All 3 angels are around the same age (about 1.5 years) - all from different suppliers. They all seem to get on well enough with each other with no obvious pairing up. The "odd swimming" one is the largest, there is another black one nearly as big and a marble which is noticeably smaller than the other two. Would love to know what gender they are, but I can't see any obvious signs.

Hopefully it is breeding related - I guess it should stop now he/she has been isolated though?