Sick Flame Angel

mikevisek

New Member
I have a 55 gal fish only tank. One flame angel, one purple tang, one percula clown, one banggai cardinal, one fiji devil, one cleaner shrimp, one snail, and about half a dozen hermit crabs. The water tests are perfect: specific gravity 1.023, ph 7.3, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5. The water temp did jump to about 81 for a day. I now have it back down to 78. One of my guests from Thanksgiving I think. The only other change is that we added the purple tang about two weeks before the flame angel started getting sick. But they get along fine. We never see them or any other fish fighting. The flame angel has not eaten for 3 days now. He keeps rubbing himself on rocks and other stuff in the tank. He presents himself to the cleaner shrimp a lot more than usual for cleaning. The flame angle appears to have discoloration of his tail. His blues are not as bright either. The very back part of his tail appears to be missing as if some fighting did go on. That's all the info I have. Any sggestions would be great. I was considering a fresh water dip, but I don't know how or for how long. At any rate, thought I would see what you folks think.
Mike
 
Your PH levels are way to low. They should never go under 8.0 if yours is at 7.3 there is a problem. Your Lfs has products that can raise you PH back up. You also should do a water change.
 

mikevisek

New Member
My mistake. I hit the wrong key. My ph is 8.3 not 7.3. And yes, I perform a 10% water changes twice each month.
 

y2says

Member
What kinds of foods are you feeding them? Flame angels need a lof of algae in their diet. Try adding some vita-chems to their foods. That should bring back his color. Or you could use some garlic. Also, how long have you had your tank? Dwarf angels don't do as well with newer tanks.
 

mikevisek

New Member
The tank has been established for a few weeks short of one year. The flame angel and clown were the first two fish we bought. The tang was the last. Prior to buying the tang, all we fed was frozen mysis and maybe a little flake food. All the fish ate both the frozen and flake. It has only been the last four days that the flame angel has not eaten. He still appears active in the tank though.
 
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