MissMTS

I just got home from work to find my black marble angelfish with a giant chunk of flesh missing from his side. He is swimming around the tank fine, but I have no idea what could have caused it. He is in a cycled 29 gallon tank with a white angelfish and 2 rainbow fish (they are getting taken back to the store. I bought them before I realized how big they get). None of the fish in the tank are over 2 inches in size. I don't think that the angels are territorial unless they are breeding and I know that rainbowfish are peaceful. Please help! What do I do and what do you think could have caused it?

sirdarksol

Anything sharp the fish could have cut himself on?

Try to keep an eye on the tank to see what caused it.
If you can find vitachem, adding that to the tank would help.
Extra water changes, of course, are good.
Check ammonia (should be zero), nitrites (should be zero), and nitrates (should be under 10).

MissMTS

All water levels are good. Right now he is just swimming around with the other fish. He's acting normal and the other fish are behaving peacefully. I can't think of anything that he could have cut himself on. I have a couple pieces of driftwood, but nothing that stands out as dangerous to me.

susitna-flower

Any other fish in the tank?

Sounds like someone is being aggressive, have you seen another fish picking on anyone? Sorry about your fish.

If you have a quarantine tank you should separate this fish and treat it with Melafix until the wound is healed. Don't put it back until it is healed as it will continue to be picked on. Good Luck

MissMTS

Okay, I got the melafix and removed the two rainbows from the tank (I think they may have been the culprits) because me two angels stick together like glue and they are inseperable. We'll see how he does. I'm hoping for the best. Thanks for all of the good advice.

COBettaCouple

Vita-Chem, Fish Protector and http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12102 would all help healing him up.

Sabi

I was thinking they might be the culprits as well. Angels can be either tough or sensitive, i hope he heals well.

capekate

Good morning, sorry to hear about your angel. I have rainbows in with my angel fish, Discus, cardinal tetras and german blue ram. I can say that none of them have ever attacked any other fish. Rainbows by nature are very peaceful, even onto themselves. I have to doubt that the rainbows were the culprits in your tank.

~ kate

COBettaCouple

How is your angel doing?

MissMTS

His wound looks about the same, but he his lively and swimming around the tank and eating fine. So far so good. Thanks for all the help. Is it okay to add vita-chem if I am already using melafix?

COBettaCouple

I think so, it's just vitamins and may do more than the melafix even for healing the wound.

Sabi

Sounds like his going to be tough, goodluck.

susitna-flower

I'm glad your angel is doing ok. Keep us posted. I just had a thought also on this, and it is any time angels are breeding or growing it is a good idea to feed fairly high protein. It seems that it would apply to healing a wound also. So if you aren't already doing it add bloodworms, brine shrimp, or such to its diet. Not every feeding, but at least several times a week.

MissMTS

Thanks for the tip! I will definetly try that