Sick angel?

[Arfie]

Bit of background first, I've just come back from a friends house, he has decided he doesn't want a fish tank anymore and wants rid of the fish asap.

I am not ready yet to put them in my 35G but he has used emotional blackmail, if they aren't gone by Sunday night, he's killing them and I have NO doubt that he would.

I have taken the 2 neon tetra, 3 glowlight tetra and 3 zebra danio today and they are in my 10G acclimatising right now, but it is whats left that concerns me. He has a large cory (I think, need to ID that yet) a gourami and an angel in a 10G 12" high tank

The angel is currently laying on the gravel looking like its dying, but when food is added it's up and swimming fine, but when it's eaten, it falls back onto the gravel and I do mean it falls not a slow drift, then lays on its side again. I see no signs of any injury or illness at all.

I have to get the other 3 fish by the weekend, but if its on its last legs I'd prefer not to put it in with any of my fish to die .

I know its current enviroment is less than ideal and the water quality is aweful too and it wil be going straight into another tank of exactly the same size for now, but its that or the toilet for now

Anyone got any idea's? All I can think of is swim bladder disease, in which case I am happy to try and treat it.

All idea's and opinions are appreciated.

Arfie

 

[WILDER]

To be honest if the angel is resting on it's side at the bottom of the tank it's dying, sounds like a bacteria infection, what does he feed the fish, i would try some shelled peas and daphnia on the fish poor thing, good on you for helping him out.

 

[Durbkat]

If you don't have room for all the fish you can take them and see if your lps will hold them until your 35g is ready. Thats what I would do. And thats not right that your freind is emotionaly black mailing you to take his fish.

 

[Tolak]

It could be water quality, bacterial infection, constipation, or a combination of the above. If he is getting rid of the tank, take it with the fish, along with at least half the water. Epsom salt helps constipation, as well as helping with accumilated fluid often associated with swim bladder. An antibiotic that treats gram positive as well as gram negative should be used also.

It sounds like a case of old tank syndrome. I would set up the tank with at least half of the old water, a large water change may be a shock due to a change in the water parameters. Start with 1 teaspoon epsom salt per 10 gallons of water, an antibiotic treatment, and a water temp of 80F. Angels like it warmer than that, but due to bacteria multiplying faster at warmer temps, you want it a little cooler.

Daily water changes of no more than 20%, with an increase in the epsom salt up to 3 teaspoons per 10 gallons will help get the fish acclimated to a more normal water condition, as well as ease constipation & any fluid build up from infection. I increase the epsom by a teaspoon per day for a few days. You will have to adjust this for the water removed.

Any antibiotic or other medication I can think of can be used along with epsom salt. It's a useful, cheap medication to have around.

Tell your "friend" to get professional help, seriously. Intentionally injuring or killing animals for no reason indicates psycological problems.

Tolak