Angelfish stays on it's side - breathing fine, no visible signs of sickness

I've got an angelfish (under a year old) that is swimming on it's side and sometimes even backwards. A little background: we just moved. I had to move my entire tank - I did a full drain and reestablished the tank but didn't think about keeping the fish out for the nitrogen cycle to take place first. They've been in the new tank for under a week (about 4 days). Before we moved I had another angel doing the same thing - that one didn't even make it to the move (he (or she) died in the bucket on the way to the new house). I've read that it could be swim bladder issue and to give her crushed peas (I'm assuming a she - I get a she vibe from it and I have no clue how to sex these fish lol). I can't do water tests just yet - my color checker sheet has gone missing in the midst of our move. I will however take the water to my local pet store to get tested if needed. Should I get the water tested first then do the peas or just try the peas or what? I've seen a lot of good advice given on this forum and look forward to your help! This is the first time I've tried seriously having a fish tank and want to do it right. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advanced.

 

I just searched for " API color test chart" and there's a ton of pics of the chart.

 

I'm a goof lol I didn't even think about that. And as a side note my heater stopped working. Not sure how long it's been busted. It just started back up after I took it out and had it sit dry for about 30 min.

 

Welcome to the forum and glad you joined us. When you moved the tank and the fish how did you move them? Did the tank dry out? Did you keep the filter wet or did it dry out? How soon did you set up the new tank, from when you put the fish in the buckets? Did you add the old water to the tank along with the fish and how big is the tank, How did you acclimate the fish to the new tank? Alison

 

Welcome to the forum and glad you joined us. When you moved the tank and the fish how did you move them? Did the tank dry out? Did you keep the filter wet or did it dry out? How soon did you set up the new tank, from when you put the fish in the buckets? Did you add the old water to the tank along with the fish and how big is the tank, How did you acclimate the fish to the new tank? Alison

Thank you! When I moved them I attached the filter to the side of the container they were in (with water from the tank) so the filter ran while they were in the bucket. The tank was fully cleaned out before being set up at the new house. It's a 20 gallon tank. The fish were in the bucket for less than 2 days) and I acclimated them by putting them in baggies in the new tank like you do from the pet store. Thank you again for the help.

 

So your nitrogen cycle should be okay because the filter was running. You probably lost some if you replaced gravel and décor.. Did you move close so you have the same water supply? I am thinking of different water parameters such as PH or hardness. I would love to see a picture... bizaliz3 had a similar problem and can tell you the name of the thread. She got some excellent advice from Tolak who breeds and raises angelfish on treatment suggestion that might be worth trying. Hopefully they will see the mentions and come to help.. Alison

 

Here is a link to my thread that aliray was talking about.



It was determined that mine developed his issues due to an injury. But some of the advice may apply to your situation as well! Check it out if you'd like!

edit: just because the "cause" of my angels problem was different than yours, they could still ultimately have the same resulting problem regardless of the cause. It sounds like yours went through quite a bit of stress and that could have caused a number of health issues....My thread should be helpful to you!

 

We moved about 20 minutes away so I'm assuming so. I'll check the water levels in a little bit - both my boys are awake and active (3 years and 4 months) so it's hard to take the time when i'm here on my own lol The water temp was down to 67.8 but is now up to 68.8 now that I've got the heater working again (not sure what was wrong with it) if that matters. I may replace the heater as this will be the second time it's done this in the past year. I'll post a pic in a few - my phone isn't wanting to connect to the site via the browser and the app won't download right lol Also to note, the filter was not turned off but the actual filter media (I think that's what you would call it) was replaced as it was due to be replaced this week anyways).

Here is a link to my thread that @aliray was talking about.



It was determined that mine developed his issues due to an injury. But some of the advice may apply to your situation as well! Check it out if you'd like!

Thank you!

 

We moved about 20 minutes away so I'm assuming so. I'll check the water levels in a little bit - both my boys are awake and active (3 years and 4 months) so it's hard to take the time when i'm here on my own lol The water temp was down to 67.8 but is now up to 68.8 now that I've got the heater working again (not sure what was wrong with it) if that matters. I may replace the heater as this will be the second time it's done this in the past year. I'll post a pic in a few - my phone isn't wanting to connect to the site via the browser and the app won't download right lol Also to note, the filter was not turned off but the actual filter media (I think that's what you would call it) was replaced as it was due to be replaced this week anyways).

If you are just using cartridges and tossing them you could lose your cycle. Instead, rinse them in dechlorinated water and reuse or put sponges and ceramic (or something similar) in instead. These will seed with bacteria and you rinse the sponges the same way.

 

UPDATE: 5/7/2016:

I did one of the epson salt baths yesterday as described by Tolak in bizaliz3 's thread. Last night when I put him (after referring to a sexing chart this seems more likely to be a male - still guessing lol) back in the tank he floated to the bottom and dug his face in the rocks/gravel as if he was trying to eat down there. When I woke up he was in the same spot, now with labored breathing. I'm not sure what to to as it almost looks as though the salt bath may have made it worse. Should I keep doing the salt baths and hope it works or what?

 

It sounds like you have multiple problems. Angel fish need a temp of 78 to 80 % with slow temp changes. Kwig is right. The companys tell you to change the cartridge once a month, but the problem with that is that your beneficial bacteria mostly resides in the filter media. Tossing it causes the tank to have build up the BB again. Rinse the cartridge out in dechlorinated water or water form the water change. just swish it around to get most of the slimey stuff off , then replace in the filter. Keep doing that until the cartridige falls apart. At that point put in a new cartridge, but take the fabric off the old filter and stuff it in behind the new one to seed the new cartridge, Do not rinse in tap water because of the chlorine. Make sure you get an adjustable heater that is easy to use. If a fish get ick one of the treatments is higher heat. The preset non adjustable heaters are a piece of junk as far as I am concerned. I had two overheat and lost some fish because of it. Alison

 

The heat is now up to 74.3 as of this morning. I didn't get an adjustable one as I was at Walmart and that is the only one they had but I'll get another soon so I don't lose the fish. Any suggestions on brand?

 

I bought a Penn Plax adjustable heater and it came with a three year guarantee. I bought it from my Pet Supermarket and replaced all three of the walmart ones that I had, Alison. There are lots of good brands out there..

 

Here is the pic of the angel in question.

 

He does look pretty bad Hopefully the others will be okay. Alison

 

It looks like the heater I got from Walmart is faulty. It keeps going in and out. Will they be ok for a day or two for me to order a new one online (they appear to be cheaper online) or do I need to go to an actual pet store asap to get a more reliable heater?

 

I would go to the store and get one. Those fish can't deal with those temperature changes. Do you have a petco or pet smart or some type of fish store around you? Alison

 

I do. I'll head out today to get one.

 

Also get a thermometer for the tank if you don't have one. Alison.

 

I have a power filter that I can't adjust the flow on. Should I try to get some other kind as I think I read somewhere that angels don't like the current.

 

I use internal filters in my tanks which have a pretty strong flow and it has not bothered my angel fish. Alison

 

Awesome! I ended up getting an Aqueon heater. We will see if regulating the water temperature helps.

 

Water temp is up to 79.8 and no improvements. Perhaps it's just not been long enough...I'll keep you guys updated. The lady at Petsmart told me to try Melafix so I did the first dose of that today. Any experience with the stuff/suggestions?

 

Melafix likely won't do anything. It's an herbal treatment and doesn't do much for diseases or issues.

 

My temp is at 82.6. Should I raise or lower or leave it? And thanks for the input on melafix. Is it going to hurt to continue treatment? Should I keep doing Epsom baths?

 

You could lower the temp to 80 and then leave it there. How is he today? Any changes or is he still laying on the bottom. ? Alison

 

aliray He hasn't changed any. And I'll adjust the temp when I get home.

 

I was told to raise the temperature when they're sick....with angels it was suggested like 86ish...

 

Tolak - any suggestions on temp with sick angels since you seem to be the angel expert around here?

 

Just wondering, but why do you have 3 angels and looks like a common pleco in a 20g? Not trying to be rude. Just trying to figure this out

 

Just wondering, but why do you have 3 angels and looks like a common pleco in a 20g? Not trying to be rude. Just trying to figure this out

That's a good point. I hadn't noticed that. The OP is very overstocked. Not only that but angels do not do well as a three-some...those two things could be playing a huge role in the problem...

 

Before finding this site I took the advice of my local pet store and they said 3 Angels would be perfect together in a 20g. I realized through here that was wrong. I'm trying to save for a larger tank and then use the 20 gallon as an emergency tank if I ever need to separate the fish. We just moved and I've got 2 small kids so saving isn't exactly easy.

 

I got home and he was at the bottom - no longer breathing. RIP sweet angel. Thank you all for your help and support.

 

I am so sorry you lost him. Hugs to youAlison

 

I am so sorry you lost him. Hugs to youAlison

Thank you. As upsetting as it is, the other two on the tank are doing much better. They don't hide in the corners now and they will now come to the surface to eat when I put in food.

 

Just keep a close eye on them , they have been though a lot of stress in the last few days. That's a good sign that they are eating and hungry. Alison

 

Can you rehome the pleco in the meantime? That would remove a huge bioload from the tank and your angels should do much better by themselves until you get the bigger tank.

 

Can you rehome the pleco in the meantime? That would remove a huge bioload from the tank and your angels should do much better by themselves until you get the bigger tank.

Maybe it's another pet store mistake, maybe it's me being new to this but correct me if I'm wrong - I thought every tank needed some sort of algae eater?

 

Maybe it's another pet store mistake, maybe it's me being new to this but correct me if I'm wrong - I thought every tank needed some sort of algae eater?

Believe it or not, nerite snails each algae better than ANY pleco out there. And they don't leave behind the ridiculous poopy mess that plecos do. AND they don't need gigantic tanks like the common plecos do!

It is really a myth in my opinion that a pleco will help clean the tank. They just make it worse!!

 

Maybe it's another pet store mistake, maybe it's me being new to this but correct me if I'm wrong - I thought every tank needed some sort of algae eater?

Nope, not every tank needs an algae eater. You can have tanks without algae, it just takes maintenance and a strict light schedule.