Angelfish also unwell!

[MatthewShaw]

After inttroducing 4 small angels two weeks ago one of them appears to be unwell.
He's easting very little and has a ragged tail fin. He doesn't appear to be getting nipped by other fish. He's not very hungry and one of his gills is very pink. He's just started to develop a light silvery sheen around his tail fin area. I,ve treated the aquarium with finrot/fungus treatement last weekend and have noted no change. Please could I have any suggestions as to what this is.

 

[tstenback]

SOrry to hear about your angel. How long has the tank been set up and what are your current levels for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? Try a couple of water changes to see if the fish perks up at all. Perhaps 10 - 15% for a couple of days in a row.
Keep us posted

 

[MatthewShaw]

thanks, - the nitrite, amonia and nitrate are all 0.
The ph is 7.
The aquarium has been set up for about five months now. All other fish appear well at the moment and I have plenty of plants.

 

[tstenback]

You might also try adding some aquarium salt along with the water changes. Amount varies by manufacturer but usually 1 tbsp per 10 gals. HTH

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Sorry but that tank is no where near big enough for 4 angels. Maybe the problem is a result of bullying/aggression.

Edit: Just checking, are the angels in the tank in your signature?

 

[MatthewShaw]

they are only 25mm long!

 

[Cheese Specialist]

they are only 25mm long!

OK, are you planning on moving them to a pretty heafty tank soon?

 

[gixer]

they are only 25mm long!

not for long they wont be....

btw...do you still have all 10 neons? they could start to dissapear too

 

[karrihug]

angels require a lot of territory, and one will become dominant. this results sometimes in aggressiveness.

also, while they are still rather small, very soon 12" will not be high enough for them and as adults they will need approx 10 gal each. as juvies they still need much more space than a smaller species would.

hth

 

[MatthewShaw]

how long before they are too big for my tank then? - how quick do they grow?? - what size tank do I need?

 

[tstenback]

If they are about 2 inches in body size now they will be about 5 inches in about 6 months and their fins from top to bottom will be at least 6-8 inches by then. So you have about 6-8 months before they will have to be moved. But i would suggest that the move be made sooner than later as moving an angel that size can cause an awful lot of damage if the fish decides it does not want to be in the net. The tank should be a minimum of 18 inches high but 24 would be better. HTH

 

[Cheese Specialist]

how long before they are too big for my tank then? - how quick do they grow?? - what size tank do I need?

They grow very, very quickly. I bought my 2 younger ones when they were tiny. It's not only size but territory as they are cichlids after all.

I keep 3 (used to be 4) in a 320litre tank - 5ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft. They need a tank that is at least 18" high to accommodate their large overall hieght.