Angel Fish breathing rapidly

[entice59]

The gills are breathing rapidly and its mouth is open most of the time, no signs of ich and the other fish seems fine with no similar problems. ph 8.2, 0 nitrite/ammonia, 5 ppm nitrate. salinity is 1.023 and temp is 78. I have recieved the angel on friday from this website. Tank has been established since jan 1st. Current residents are snails, a fighting conch, and a cleaner shrimp and a pistol shrimp. Acclimated with drip meathod for 1 1/2 hrs

 

[timsedwards]

HI there,
Did you QT it first before adding? Always a good idea but not essential. Im not sure what it could be, could be just stress but I am sure it is something more scientific! Beth and Terry might know.
All the best,
Tim.

 

[beth]

Give some more info about your fish, and when this problem started. Is this a new fish? What type of tank do you have and what are the water readings.

 

[entice59]

Yes this is a new fish, ph 8.2, 0 nitrite/ammonia, 5 ppm nitrate. salinity is 1.023 and temp is 78. Its a reef tank with mushrooms and polyps. i have 45 lbs of live rock and 150 lbs of sand. its a 55 gallon tank thats been established since jan 1st.
The pgymy angel breaths rapidly and the gills breath quickly too. the mouth opens and closes pretty quickly and yet it still swims normally and even nipped at the rocks like a normal angelfish. Its been 6 days since i got the fish

 

[beth]

Eric, there's not much that can be done while this fish is in a reef setup.
If it was in QT, an antibiotic treatment might be in order.

 

[entice59]

how long do you think it has before its gone? do have an idea what the problem might be?
I'll try my best to set up a QT today, ifs its not too late. Do you mind if you post a picture of your QT, because i noticed that you have a Fuvual plus in your QT last time, do you use the sponges that come with it?
As for the water, do you think its not too late to try to cycle the tank? i know it might take awhile, but like most people say, angels need to be in mature tanks, what do you suggest i do? also, what meds do you think i should buy? Im going to QT all my fish from now on
sorry for so many questions
thanks beth

 

[entice59]

thanks terry, hopefully i'll be able to catch it, do you recommend trying the hypo first or the med first or both? would either the products damage/contaminate the things inside the QT including the tank itself like copper.
If im going to use my hex 15 gallon hex, will it be fine to fill the tank a quarter of the way or half way.
Do you have an idea what that problem is?
thank you for the response.

 

[entice59]

Quick update, my angel seems like its healthy , its a quick swimmer and fetches for the food very quickly, but the breathing has calmed a bit, its not breathing AS fast as before, is it going to get better? i havent got a ride to the LFS yet so i have to wait till tomorrow or later today. By no means is this a way to get out of this, but im just giving an update, also i forgot to mention one more important thing my dad did, he got a new powerhead that sifted the a lot of the live sand, i didnt know until he told me today.
thanks

 

[entice59]

the reason why is because i need room for the fresh water, i just wanted to make sure. Would the med be like copper and leach into everything in the tanks? either one of the meds you recommended
i'll do a water change later today

 

[entice59]

i didnt mean that you suggested copper, what i meant is, Would the med's (the ones you recommended), leach to the tank like copper where i can not remove it because i still plan to want to use the powerhead and the heater after i finish QTing all my future fish.

 

[entice59]

thanks terry and beth for the help, hopefully the angel will get better