Experience with Angels.

I once had many discus, but specifically had never had angels before. I added four small angels to my tank last week, and not having had fish for a few years got a little excited at the lfs and did not do the routine check marks before purchasing. I basically picked those that I thought would give a high percentage of making a breeding pair without checking a few other things.. Anyway my sanity returned a couple of days later, when I realised one angel was not eating. On closer inspection then he is indeed very thin, harder to tell initially with an angel unless you look. I doubt he probably has eaten anything for at least a few weeks before I picked him up. lfs of course won't take him back. I should have checked

My question: He looks fine (very thin though) fins are open and ok. He is a little lethargic, although he still follows the others. Water in my tank is fine. Some small rises earlier in the week (not dangerous) which have now all evened out. Gils look ok, no physical evidence of anything major, right fin has a tear. But so does one of the others which I assume happened in the capture / transport process. (Other is fine by the way). He does seem interested in food just won't eat it.

Any thoughts from you experienced angel people? Really would love your input.

Another thought I am having right now is to euthenais and replace. Sounds harsh but I'm just not so sure he is going to make it, I would like to add another angel from this batch before the others really settle into pairs or not.

If I send him to fsh heaven please be aware I will do so via a small container with water of course which I would then place in the freezer.

 

You could try and quarantine and medicate with maracyn I and II. Soak so flakes in garlic juice to try and get him to eat. He may have some sort of parasite, and the Maracyn I & II should help if he has a bacterial infection and help with the torn fin.

 

If they won't eat the garlic flakes, try live foods like brine shrimp. I doubt it could be that picky but it might just be an odd one.

 

I suggest quarantine for the safety of your other fish first of all. Then try to tempt it with some bloodworms. I don't know a healthy angel around that can resist thawed frozen blood worms It may just need some special attention. Keep us posted please
Carol

 

Sounds like it could be internal parasites...
By the way, freezing is not a humane way of euthanasia...it takes so long with the water gradually getting colder and colder until the fish dies...someone please fill in here, I'm not quite sure off hand what the better method is...

 

Thanks all. Quarantined but no luck yet. Will update progress.

 

Ok he is still going, not very well though. He (could be a she) still hasnt eaten I tried the vinegar flakes and thawed frozen blood worm. He been medicatedm I'm just hoping that can kick so he can get eating again, although as I previously stated doesn't seem he has eaten for some time before purchase so they my be already internal organ damage.

 

Just in case you have to euthanize...but I hope you don't! Hope he gets better soon.

 

That's a good tip...

Albeit no longer an issue as my angel gave up this morning. He was a fighter, not sure what his issue was but he hung on. Happy to report though that all other angels are in perfect health and have really added some nice colour in the last week even though they are still small.

 

I'm sorry :'( :'( It's so sad to lose a pet. :'( I'm glad the other Angels are doing well though.