What am I doing wrong with my fish tank and my Angel Fish?

Question

I have had 6 Angels in the past 2 months die. They all have started with swimming straight up and what appears to be heavy breathing. They seem to be having trouble getting enough oxygen? I'm not sure. I have changed the water a couple of times in between fish and have used the proper water conditioners. Is there something that is common to Angel Fish that sounds like what I'm talking about?

So, all of my Angels have died, but my Neon tetras and Red tetras, and one Cory Cat are all ok. My tank is 80 gal. and I have been cycling this tank for about a year now. I will change my water again and treat the water properly. Then how long should I wait to add more fish? What test kits, for the water, are the best? Thanks for all of your advice.

Answer 1

Sorry Madison, but I'd just like to correct you on a few things.

Angels are incredibly delicate and need the water changed at least once a week, at least 25%. But, I change 50% my water everyday. I have learned from many years of experience that it is okay to change this much water at a time especially for fish like angels, who thrive in clean water. Yes, it is true that "too much" water being changed can destroy the beneficial bacteria in your tank, but, if you have well established tank, with a good filter system that absorbs nutrients then this amount of water is actually fine.

I find angels do best in barebottom tanks with potted plants, so you can see and clean all the waste, and none is left hiding to foul the water.

Angels need a temperature of at least 80 so their immune systems can run properly.

Louise - Angels need 10 gallons each to themselves. So buying six, and putting them in a 20 gallon tank is not such a good idea.

Check your water parameters. If it is a new tank the it is still cycling, meaning your readings will be off the charts. If they are, do a 50 percent water change every day until the water reaches normal levels again.

I would also add one or two airstones in the tank, depending on size. More, of course, for a larger tank.

If your water is not the problem, gill flukes would be the next suspect. But the only sure way of confirming gill flukes is by doing a gill scrape, and looking under a microscope at the tissue to search for the parasite. If it is gill flukes, I would use the medication "Lifebearer" by Jungle. But because so many of your angels are dying with breathing problems, it is most likely your water.

And, don't give up trying!! Angels are great fish once you finally get a handle on them. Once you do, there really is no turning back.

Answer 2

Angels don't move well, so this could just be differences between the water chemistry in the tank at the store and your home. Make sure you're acclimating them correctly, and take a little extra time to do the gradual water changes in the bag when you introduce them: http://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm

Is your tank fairly new? If it's only been running a few months, it may still be cycling - this refers to building a bacterial community to convert the toxic material in their wastes (ammonia) to products that are less harmful (nitrate). Angels are sensitive to water quality, so if your tank doesn't have the bacteria established yet, you may be getting higher levels of ammonia and nitrite (an intermediate product) than they can tolerate. Ammonia and nitrite poisoning both have the symptoms of gasping at the surface and loss of appetite. If you don't have a testing kit to test the levels of these yourself, check with your pet store and see if they will test water samples for you if you would bring them in. Just be sure to do 25-30% water changes on a weekly basis (or 15% twice a week) to keep the levels down. Use a gravel vacuum to siphon out any wastes from the bottom.

Also, be sure you aren't overfeeding, as decomposing food also produces ammonia. Another possible source of ammonia is your tapwater. Water companies used to use only chlorine to treat the water supply, but many are switching to chloramine - a produce that combines chlorine and ammonia. Chlorine will dissipate from water after 24 hours, but chloramine won't. You also can't use a chlorine neutralizer with it, or a product that only claims to "break the chloramine bond". Both will release ammonia into your tank. Look for a product that specifically says it will "remove" or "neutralize" chloramine. Some will remove both, but the dosing is different. A call to your water company will be enough to find out which is used.

Also, check your water temperature - as the water temperature rises, it holds less oxygen, so it may be too little O2 in the water if your heater is overheating the tank.

Answer 3

How big is your aquarium? Does it have a filter and heater? You need to do a routine water change every 2 weeks and only change 15%-25% of the water because you need to leave the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium. Do you use a gravel vaccum to clean the excess food/waste out of the tank? Make sure you do all of this. Also, consider adding a live plant, which you can buy at your local pet store like PetSmart, because this will add oxygen. Oh and make sure the heater keeps the water between 74 and 82 degrees.

Answer 4

The tank is biking via being new. you will desire to run the tank 6 week with one fish to mature it then steadily upload a million or 2 at a time after this. The fish died from ammonia poisoning. in case you had offered a fish e book in the past identifying to purchase your pets you will possibly comprehend this and characteristic greater for your cash that a pile of lifeless fish.

Answer 5

How large are the angelfish? How many? How long have you had them? Assuming the tank is large enough, and water conditions are within proper parameters, I'd say the angels are picking are one another.