New Angel Fish Appear Ill

[Bristlenose]

Hi,

I am a fairly experienced fish keeper and have just upgraded to a 200 litre tank, which has correct filters heaters etc. Water temp is 24 degrees, I have tested the water conditions and all is ok. I used the filter media from my old tank to help with the bacteria issue.

Anyhow, I bought two angel fish a couple of days ago. One seems fine and health but the other, well his behaviour is odd suggesting he is unwell. He seems restless for an Angel fish and he kept going to the surface so I felt it was some kind of breathing issue. He has no signs of ill health besides this. I since aimed the filter up to help diturb the surface of the water and oxygenate it better and he is hanging around this area near the surface. Occasionally he seems to struggle to stay near the surface and is not eating. He has no visible signs and is not rubbing or flicking against anything, so I do not think it is Gill Flukes.

Please advise.

 

[the biffster]

have you checked your
water stats

 

[Bristlenose]

Yes, all states are ok, the other Angel is fine.

 

[the biffster]

Yes, all states are ok, the other Angel is fine.

are they a pair or do you think
that it might bee being bullied
by the other one or anything else
in the tank

 

[Kizz]

In my experience with angel's they do preffer low flow waters . In the wild angels will prey on food that lands on the surface so they do stay near the surface of water and my angel's do occasionally take air from the surface aswell . Is your angel gulping for air ? it could be the flow of water is too strong for it to stay near the surface. Also what are you feeding ? Is it the same kind of food that the LFS were feeding them ? sometimes it can take a little while for them to realise what your feeding is actually food . If he is still not eating by then end of today try contacting lfs and finding out what they feed there fish and mix it with the food you are feeding

Kizz

 

[Bristlenose]

Thanks for the replies. The current is not that bad from the filter I have it switched so that it jets water the full length so is not to harsh. the water is perfect, I have tested everything. What more can i do. he is smaller than the other one but there is no fighting, just a runt of the litter maybe?

Any other suggestions? I will do a partial water change again this weekend to be on the safe side.the only other thing I think it could be is gill flukes but fish usually rub against things.

 

[Kizz]

It could just be a simple case of the fish needing to a adjust to the new tank . The fact that it's smaller than the other one you bought could indicate that they came in on diffrent days . If the fish has been shipped from abroad it's already went through quite an ordeal getting to LFS then being transferred to a bag then to your tank . Give him a few more days to settle in . Perhaps try him with some live/frozen food see if that entice's him to eat . Other than that i'm stumped lol . What other fish are in the tank ?

Kizz

 

[Bristlenose]

none, I am waiting to bring over the fish I have had for years into this tank (they are at my parents, as I have just moved out). But the tanks fine, the filter and heater are fine, all Nitrite and Ammonia levels etc as well as PH are ok, as is the other angel.

I am stumped.

 

[Kizz]

Does it have plants or hidey places for them ? . My angel's were very skittish when i first bought them and ended up leaving the light off for around 2 days . To me it doesn't sound like anything is medically wrong with him . If all tank stats are ok no signs of ich or parasites . One thing what's his poo like ? does his stomach look drawn in ? cause only other thing medically could be an internal parasite .

But in all honestly it could just need more time to settle into the tank . Some fish are less robust than others . Finger's crossed he picks up soon

Kizz

 

[Bristlenose]

Thanks Kizz.I have not put plants in but I have some large pieces of pretend (Aquarium safe) rocks to hide behind (thats the fish not me). The poop is normal (again the fishes), but this one I have not seen eating yet. his swimming seems just that bit,.... I don't know not as effortless as the other one, you know angels just hang in one spot he seems to have to put effort into this.

His belly seems normal.

Because his ill or whatever I dare not put other fish in until it is remedied. I will see how he is when i get back home after work. If no better i will probably be back on here.

I kept angels before for over 4 years and they got huge, thought they were more robust than this one is proving to be.

 

[james_fish]

How did you acclimatize the fish?

James.

 

[ZoddyZod]

I have a single Angel and for the first few days in the tank he/she displayed this exact same behaviour. I too thought something was wrong but let it run it's course. After 2/3 days I've not seen the behaviour at all so it seems it was just him/her getting used to the new surroundings.

 

[Bristlenose]

Well thats hopeful.

As for acclimatising the fish the usual, float the bag for a bit then open and feel with a bit more tank water, repeat until release. All with the tank lights off.

 

[J4G3D]

May also be low oxygen or parasites. Im not a expert but im also inclined to say internal bacterial infection because i had a fish die of this, gasping for air a few times then internally damaged by the time it died(could clearly see) But could not notice till he actually did die.

 

[Bristlenose]

Ok so I got home from work last night and the angel was laying imnobile, so my girlfriend took him back to the shop. They tested the water and it came up with high nitrite. Turns out my test kit was to old and not working properly. I now have bought a new set.

I now only have one Angel in the tank. Water parameters are not great so I did 25% water change last night and the same today. This morning the Ammonia was 0 ppm, Nitrite was 50 ppm, Nitrate 5.0 ppm, before the water change. I will do the same tomorrow. Hopefully it will all settle down.

My only concern is the PH level is very high, i have tested the tap water and likewise that is high. 7.8.

I bought my fish from a shop locally, so i am hoping the fish are acclimatised. I used to live just up the road so would have thought the PH was the same there and I never had any problems.

The other Angel seems fine still.