Golden Angel in trouble

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I bought a golden dwarf angel last week. It's been very shy in QT, which I expected. However for a couple of days it has been sort of shimmying or just moving very rapidly in place. It's breathing is pretty fast, but I wouldn't characterize it as gasping.

Now it's lying on the bottom of the tank. When disturbed, it swims away, but lies down again in a minute.

I know it may be too late when they start lying down, but is there anything I can do to save the fish?

The QT is a cycled 20 long with live rock and two aquaclear 70 hob filters. There are two cleaner shrimp in the tank to eat leftover food from trying to get this guy to eat. They're fine.

I've done two water changes today, amounting to about 8 gallons.

The fish doesn't look bad - there are a few cloudy looking spots on its fins, but otherwise, no sign of disease.

Any ideas?

 

[reppo13]

I'm not sure you can really do anything but these guys never really make it through QT. I have a golden angel as well and I didn't QT him but I did get him from DD. My advice is if you go for another one make sure its eating and looking good at your lfs and if it is then put it in to your display right away.

Good Luck, Matt

 

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Thanks. The weird thing is that this QT may as well be a nano display tank. It's been up and running for over a year. There are lots of little bugs in the live rock, so I wasn't so worried about getting it to eat right away.

I know these are low-probability fish, but it's still depressing.

 

[reppo13]

Yea they can be really hard I've been in the same place as you a few times with multiple angels. Keep your eyes peeled on DD they always have some coming in normally right in summer. Or ask kevin (runs DD) he can tell you what hes getting in and help you with livestock.

Hope this helps,

Matt

 

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Thanks, Matt.

 

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Well, I'm stunned to report that he's still alive this morning. I've got him in a Paraguard bath with an airstone. He seems the same as yesterday, mostly lying on his side but occasionally trying to swim around.

How long should I keep him in there?