I Need Serious Help

afireinside

A Shrine To Madness
Joined
May 28, 2005
Messages
2,786
Reaction score
0
Location
Fargo, ND
I didn't ask for advice as I thought I could handle it on my own. But I couldn't. I have a sick angelfish. At first I thought it was just a simple swimbladder issue, thought I could cure it, as I had something similar before. It didn't work. Water changes x3 a week, quarentined, melaflex, pH decreaser, etc. It didn't work. Now, it's been about 2 weeks. I'm thinking to begin to think it is a tumor. :crazy: ! What should I do, I don't wanna loose another angel :-( .
 
Unfortunately if it is a tumor, there isn't alot you can do. I would recomend medicating with some antibiotics stronger than melafix. Also, what are you feeding the fish? Diet can play a role in swim blader problems, so try that.

Also, why are you using a pH altering chemical? I can't speak about angelfish specifically, but in general, i know most fish do not require a specific pH (or even the prefered pH) except for breeding purposes. For example, all my fish prefer slightly acidic water, but on average, my pH is around 8.0 (acidic is below 7.0) and they do just fine. My tap water even comes out at 9 +++ off the charts high. But drops because of a low KH. I do nothing to the water, just add it straight into the tank. The reason against using pH altering chemicals is they can lead to rapid pH swings. I have tried them once before, and measured the pH throughout the week. What I found is at the end of the week, they are not doing anything anymore.

Here is an article I found on swim blader problems. I am not the author of this.

Swim Bladder Disorder
The Swim bladder is a gas-filled sac located inside the fish’s body cavity just above most of the other internal organs. This sac is what gives the fish buoyancy and controls equilibrium. The amount of gas in this sac changes as the fish rises and sinks in the water, enabling it to swim, hover and move in the water. Without the use of the Swim-bladder organ a fish is unable to control it's own movements.


Symptoms:

Fish with a swim bladder disorder appear to have an abnormal swimming pattern, usually with their tail end up. They also appear to have difficulty maintaining equilibrium. They may even float upside down or appear to be stuck at the surface of the water, being unable to swim down, or they may lie on the bottom, unable to rise. Fish with a swim bladder disorder will continue to try and feed, showing a normal appetite.


Cause:

The most common cause of swim bladder disorders is improper diet. An improper diet can lead to intestinal gas or intestinal blockages. Intestinal blockages can irritate the bowel, giving bacteria or other parasites an entry point where they can then cause damage to the swim bladder. Swim bladder disorders are most common in the larger, deep-bodied varieties of Goldfish. Fish also fed a lot of dried foods, especially pellets, are most susceptible. This condition is frequently observed in the later stages of Malawi Bloat, which is primarily due to an improper diet as well and intestinal irritation.


Treatment:

Because this disorder is due principally to an improper diet, a change in their feeding needs to be made. Dried foods with lots of protein should be kept to a minimum. Pellets and other dense foods should be soaked prior to feeding or completely eliminated from their diet. Foods with lots of fiber should be introduced, such as zucchini, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, peas, and grated carrots. If you suspect that the fish is victim to a bacterial infection, treat the fish with a medicated food.
 
*UPDATE ON HIS CONDITION*

Well, he died :-( . So, I took him out and examined him. Looked like a tumor. Man it was gross. Don't think I'll be getting another angel for a while.
 

Most reactions

Back
Top