kathiej Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 When we started our tank we just bought fish and have had our fair share of dead fish thru ignorance. In the last year or so we haven't had many fish die although any dead fish is too many. At present I have Black Angel that is only just alive. It lies on the bottom of the tank for ages and then swims around for a bit, although it looks like it is doing it hard, then it sinks back to the bottom of the tank. This has been happening for several days. I keep thinking I should just give it the chop but it seems to be trying to live so I don't have the heart to kill it. I think I have too many angels in one tank now that they have grown up, as they are getting aggresive toward each other. The Blacks seem to be lowest in the pecking order. They all have their fins nipped but none of the others do. Any ideas what might be the problem with my Black Angel. He has damage to his fins but doesn't seem to have any fungal disease, and appart from fighting the others look fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Separate it from the others then and see if it perks up once it is not being attacked. Keep an eye out for infections from wounds etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Hi, a bit of stress coat may help but need to stop him being bullied, either a divider or another tank would be ideal. What are the tank dimensions and how many angels are there? I have 1 angel in a 750 ltr loach tank with a large fire eel. Would like more angels but mine doesnt get on with other angels so hes a loner . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted January 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Hi I have 2 tanks. One is 2.5mtrs x .500 x.500 The other is about 1m x 500 x500. I have two Silver dollars 5 bristlenose and 3 angels in the small tank. The bigger tank has 6 angels, 3 pearl gouramis, 3 tiger barbs 10 golden barbs and a pleco about 30cm long. It was fine til they all grew up. Now I'm not in a financial postion to get another tank so I can't isolate the sick one. The other fish leave it alone but that is because it spends most of the time lying on the bottom. The rest are still doing battle. I'll try to get a tank and filter for an isolation tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Regardless of whether he's sick or just needs to be seperated, my advice is to get another tank. Even a small one or plastic container with a heater in it will do, you have to get it out of there. Is it eating or pooping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted January 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Hi When I put food in the tank it stimulates it to try and swim around but the effort seems to wear it out and it lies on the bottom again. Wwould it be ok to keep it in a plastic bag in the aquarium if I change the water everyday and keep it aerated until I can get another tank? It appears to have damage but no open wounds or fungus. Should I get some kind of antibiotic or something to treat the water with when I get an isolation tank, if so what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 How's our angel fish doing? What did you eventually do for him/her? Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted February 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 It is still the same. I have him in a plastic bag floating in the tank and change the water twice a day. It still just lies on its lh side. Doesn't appear to eat. I rang a lfs who said it could be parasites. Unfortunatly the lfs is an hours drive away and so I haven't mnaged to get there yet. With no work on the horizon I don't like my chances of being able to buy another tank anytime soon but I live in hope. He/she just got up and tried to swim for a short time. I hate seeing it like this. It could be something simple - or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 I'd be seriously looking at putting him in something bigger than a plastic bag, if whatever's wrong with him doesn't kill him, the stress of being in a bag will. Even a plastic tub on the floor wrapped in a blanket to keep it up to temp will do. Add a 1/2 a teaspoon of salt per litre of water, it will help heal his fins from the nips. If his fins are damaged, he might be having trouble swimming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 I agree with lmsmith that keeping him in the bag is not a good idea. I have a breeding trap (not that I breed fish) and kept a sick fishy in there one time, one thing cured, while I think the stress eventually led to fin rot, if I recall correctly. What about trying the bucket or another container or a divider like suggested by others? Do you know of anyone who could give you a loan of a small tank??? Is he eating? I know you are trying your best to help him Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted February 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thanks, I'll put him in a bucket and try to get another tank asap. How long do I leave him in salted water, I don't want to pickle him! Should I keep changing the water or will that just stress him out more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted February 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 He doesn't appear to be eating, although he must of had something or I'd have thought he'd be dead by now, as he has been like this for over a week now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 They can last a long time without eating, sometimes up to a month, or even more. It really depends on their size. It can stay in the salty water, because it's not much salt. Just make sure to do at least daily water changes, and replace the salt that you take out with the water change. The salt helps build up their slime coat to keep their outsides protected, and it can help heal wounds too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted February 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Ok will do. I'll keep you posted. Hopefully getting tank tomorrow. He's in a bucket at the present Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Angel is still going!!!! Nothing has changed. Missed out on the tank so he's still in a bucket but shows no signs of givng up! I change the water every day and add salt at half a tsp/ litr. I bought some Furan2 but don't know if I should dose him with it as I don't know what is wrong to begin with. What should I do next??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathiej Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 How do I tell the males from the females??????? If I can get another tank how should I split them up? Males with males etc ?????????? I should have done more research to begin with and not relied on lfs for advise!!!!! For instance I was told neons were a good community fish... OK... but they didn't tell me that they were prone to being food for other fish. Had 30-have 3 now.!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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