I've just had another G. melanospilos die in my QT. This is the second time with this species with the same pattern of disease. First let me say I've qt'd other fish with no problems. and in both these cases the angel was not alone (last time I had 2 angels and only 1 was affected and this time it was with a hawkfish who was not affected). I also have 3 angels I have successfully qt'd and introduced to the tank.
So, here is the scenario. I introduced the angel to the QT and then dropped the salinity down to about 1.008 over about 24 hrs. The fish did well for about 1 week, moving and eating normally. Then she would slowly stop eating and become progressively less active. Finally, she would "lose her balance" being unable to stay in a normal upright position and her belly would become distended. At that point she would die within about 24hrs. Other than the distension there were no outward signs of disease- no spots, frayed fins, gill flaring etc. Her color seemed ok, although I question whether she may have developed a slightly grayish appearance over her white areas. Again, this same thing occured with 1 of the 2 angels I acquired a couple of months ago although the other angel qt'd at the same time was completely healthy. The last time, after the fish had died (within about 8 hrs) I stuck a needle into the swim bladder and aspirated air thinking maybe it was a swim bladder problem. The distension seemed to be relieved with this. The problem is that tissues can sometimes accumulate air after death so I don't know that this really proved that it was a swim bladder problem
Does anyone have any insight into what may have occurred? I'd still like to get 1 more angel, but I won't unless I can figure out how to prevent this from happening again. Thanks.
Allen
So, here is the scenario. I introduced the angel to the QT and then dropped the salinity down to about 1.008 over about 24 hrs. The fish did well for about 1 week, moving and eating normally. Then she would slowly stop eating and become progressively less active. Finally, she would "lose her balance" being unable to stay in a normal upright position and her belly would become distended. At that point she would die within about 24hrs. Other than the distension there were no outward signs of disease- no spots, frayed fins, gill flaring etc. Her color seemed ok, although I question whether she may have developed a slightly grayish appearance over her white areas. Again, this same thing occured with 1 of the 2 angels I acquired a couple of months ago although the other angel qt'd at the same time was completely healthy. The last time, after the fish had died (within about 8 hrs) I stuck a needle into the swim bladder and aspirated air thinking maybe it was a swim bladder problem. The distension seemed to be relieved with this. The problem is that tissues can sometimes accumulate air after death so I don't know that this really proved that it was a swim bladder problem
Does anyone have any insight into what may have occurred? I'd still like to get 1 more angel, but I won't unless I can figure out how to prevent this from happening again. Thanks.
Allen
