Angel Fish

[afc_steve]

Hi all. I have a 60 litre tank ( which i know is maybe a tad too small for an Angel ) and i have 3 fish , an Angel , a tiger barb and an albino catfish. We have had the Angel just over a year now and until recently has seemed to be fine. He had an attack of fin rot once a few months back , but apart from that he has been fine. In the last few weeks however he has been behaving strangely. He spends nearly all day at the top of the tank with his mouth appearing to try and take in air at the waters surface. He spends all his time right next to where the filter is pumping out clean water. He swims sideways and sometimes even upside down and only appears "normal" at feeding time. I informed my local fish specialist and after a water test which was normal , and no obvious deseases present , he advised me to seperate him from the tiger barb which are apparently fin nippers ( although he never seemed to bother him ) but after 3 or 4 days of seperation the Angel still acted the same. I have a feeling he is on his way out - and i feel that i have exhausted most ideas - does anybody have any other thoughts ? Thanks in advance. Steve.

 

[hamfist]

A standard water test will not show how well oxgenated the water is. Your tank could well be under-oxygenated.

Try either pumping extra air through the water with an air-pump and airstone, or adjust the filter outlet so that it ripples the surface considerably. Either one with provide a lot more oxygen in the water.

TO be honest (and I think you know it), your angelfish is outgrowing the tank. He needs a bigger tank and possibly more oxygen than he is getting in the 60L.

 

[afc_steve]

A standard water test will not show how well oxgenated the water is. Your tank could well be under-oxygenated.

Try either pumping extra air through the water with an air-pump and airstone, or adjust the filter outlet so that it ripples the surface considerably. Either one with provide a lot more oxygen in the water.

TO be honest (and I think you know it), your angelfish is outgrowing the tank. He needs a bigger tank and possibly more oxygen than he is getting in the 60L.

I do have an air pump / airstone already. I will adjust the filter outlet and see what happens , thanks.