Angelfish feeding problems

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Persistency

Large Fish
#1
Dec 14, 2011
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WI
#1
As some of you may recall, I adopted an adult angelfish from terrible living conditions a couple of weeks ago. I've noticed that it has been having some trouble during feeding and it's starting to concern me. I have reason to believe that its sight is bad, and when it finally gets a piece of food, it spits it out. I've been using Tetracolor flakes for several years and haven't had any problems with fish not eating it (except for when I first get a fish), but I've been putting in freeze dried blood worms lately too.

Does anyone know what could be causing this fish to reject what little food it manages to find?
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#2
Mar 21, 2011
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#2
I did notice in the photo his eye was a bit cloudy, but was hoping it would clear as the water conditions improved, as for appetite if the tank isn't fully cycled that could have an effect, my next guess would be internal parasites.

Added: possible fungus, how is his breathing ??
 

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Large Fish
#3
Dec 14, 2011
229
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WI
#3
His eyes have been getting better since he got here, but there's still white around them in places. Gooey stuff kept coming off of his body too, but I think it's gone now. As for his breathing, I'm not entirely sure. I don't know what normal is for an adult angelfish. I've noticed today that he's hovering in one place at the top of the water with his head in the air, when before he was swimming around the tank.
 

T

Thyra

Superstar Fish
#4
Jun 2, 2010
1,891
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Yelm, WA
#4
Did you just put him in the 60g tank? or did you just up date your profile? (I could have swore about an hour ago he was in the QT tank when I first read your post) Anyway, could any of this be attributed to stress from moves?
 

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Large Fish
#5
Dec 14, 2011
229
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WI
#5
The Angel in the QT is a different fish that I moved over quite some time ago. I also can't really see how the more recent development with the fish hovering at the top could be due to stress from moving. It had absolutely no problem when I added it to my tank; I actually think it was kind of glad. It was immediately more active than it had been in its previous home.
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#6
Mar 21, 2011
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#6
Both Ammonia and Nitrite could cause the eyes to cloud over and the fish may over produce slime and the fish may swim with the nose close to surface of the water, But if you know your tank is cycled then I would consider treating it with Fungus Eliminator it treats both these symptoms , and treats both fungus and Bacteria
 

O

OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#7
Feb 27, 2009
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#7
The angel may be battling internal issues that have nothing to do with your water quality, but the prior water quality. If he cannot be kept in a QT tank, I'd recommend testing and making sure water changes are done a bit ahead of your normal schedule, to keep things extra clean. I'd also add extra aeration. Infection you cannot see may be compromising his gill function and could cause the head-above-the-water behavior you see. Just as with other animals, sometimes in the healing process, it gets worse before it gets better.
 

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Large Fish
#11
Dec 14, 2011
229
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WI
#11
Update:

I was watching it just now while feeding, and I noticed a white stringy looking slime coming out of his gills. Is that more of his slime coat coming off, or is that something else?
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#14
Mar 21, 2011
190
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#14
My guess is that you have a fish from a very low ph tank and moved it to a tank with high ph, it takes a fish about two weeks to adjust to a large ph swing and I think he/she picked up an infection in the process, I just went through this with my chocolate, she was breathing very heavy and had the mucus coming out her gills and at times she would cough up mucus, I treated her with the fungus eliminator on Thursday and by Saturday she was breathing normal today you would never know she was sick, she is even jumping out of the water to get her food, hope this helps and good luck it's hard to know whats wrong with fish in your own tank and even harder when its a fish you've never seen.
 

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Large Fish
#15
Dec 14, 2011
229
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#15
Hmmm. I have Pimafix (ran out of the Melafix). I can't remember which one that treats at the moment, but would it stress the fish out too horribly much to put it in the QT for a few days or so?
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#16
Mar 21, 2011
190
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#16
If you want to QT her I would use water from the tank she is in now, sick fish usually feel better if they can hide from the other fish, so if the other fish are looking good (not needing treatment) I would move her but this is just the way I would do it. no garanties
 

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Large Fish
#18
Dec 14, 2011
229
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WI
#18
It seems like some people think I should treat with an anti fungal, and others with a parasite eliminater. Can I do these at the same time? And if so, what kind of parasite treatment? I have Prazipro right now.
 

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