suddenly sick angel

[fishmommie]

You don't need it. End of thought.

A wise man told me once that the best medicine for tropical fish is clean water and good food. Maybe a little extra heat.

that's what I figured.

oh - and I'm a little dense. When you said check PM - you didn't mean water perimiters LOL. found your PM. thanks

[Taurus]

I meant private messages and you did.

[fishmommie]

Well, the report is more or less neutral.
have gradually increased tank temp to 85F. Bubbler still going full blast and water level lowered so spray bar is shooting out on top of water.

The angel has chosen to hide in the far back corner, bottom of the tank, amid some leaves so it's difficult to observe him, but, his lack of movement is, in itself telling, I suppose. I just fed the tank - both flakes and sinking cichlid pellets. Again, he ignored both. That makes 2 days (that I know of) that he hasn't eaten. I may have missed the first time he did not eat but it couldn't have been by more than a day

As a bench mark here's how the other fish are behaving:
EBJD - hard to tell how he's doing. sometimes his fins are clamped, sometimes his dorsal is flying. Sometimes he's really active, sometimes he hides behind a rock. He also did not eat tonight.
Gold Sev - ate well, active but shows the most visible symptoms of ich. Only fish with visible spots on tail and dorsal and has started glancing again.
2 Blood Parrots - seem fit and fine and ate like little piggies
2 dwarf gourami - same as BP
Geophagus - he seems okay. he also ate and I have not seen any spots on him or signs of other stress
Emperor pleco - he also SEEMS okay. I don't see any white spots but then, he's black and white so who knows. He totally ignores the zucchini and watermelon I offer him every day but I continue to remove and replace with fresh in the hope he'll finally take a bite. I have not seen him eat any of the algae pellets I've sank. The only algae I see in the tank is a sort of brown/rust/gold on the some of the rocks and the driftwood. Assume this is normal??? He munches on the driftwood constantly so I'm hoping he's getting his nutrients there.

Will complete another 20% W/C before I go to bed to remove more of the copper (was down to 1. after this am's 20% wc) and 1/2 dose tank with Prime.

Does anyone see anything else I should be doing?
Thanks so much!

[Indian Woods Angels]

Some info on copper
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/Q&A/all_about_copper.htm

Info on ich, I would look about the site for added info
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/Q&A/skin_disorders.html

I might contact them and ask about what to use with the pleco.

[fishmommie]

Some info on copper
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/Q&A/all_about_copper.htm

Info on ich, I would look about the site for added info
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/Q&A/skin_disorders.html

I might contact them and ask about what to use with the pleco.

Thanks so much. I may do just that. appreciate it.

Quick update - the angel seems to have rallied a bit after the 2nd 20% W/C. He's holding his fins a little higher and moving around a bit more. Still not eating but fingers crossed that tomorrow he'll be up to it.

thanks again everyone.

[fishmommie]

Well, the angel seems a little perkier this morning. Not back to normal but his fins are a little higher and I've seen the rare occasion where he leaves his corner at the back of the bottom of the tank and does a little drive by at the back wall. He still refused to eat - (frozen brine shrimp which he has always really gone after before).
The rest of the tank is looking pretty good - all are eating - even the EBJD. The sev is still glancing. He is going to have some sores on his tail and dorsal fins, I'm afraid, when those spots finally fall off.

2 more 20% W/C coming up today to get rid of rest of copper. Continued 85F heat and lots of aeration.

Question 1: How long do I need to keep the heat at 85 to insure the ich is dead in the tank? I increased the temp to 82 as of Sunday, up to 84 on Tuesday and it's been at 85 since Wed.

Question 2: Only the Sev shows visible ich spots even thought I know the EBJD is definitely infected and it would be safe to assume the other fish are too, to some degree. When the spots finally fall off theSev, will he have sores? is there something I should be treating the tank with to ward off infection on that front? I have Melafix on hand.

Question 3: I will be needing to make a W/C in my 30 gal Saturday or Sunday. I have only 1 water exchanger with a hose long enough to reach both tanks. Is there any danger of infecting my 30 with ich if I use the same hose? Buckets are out of the question at the moment due to an untimely issue with my lower back. ug. like I needed this now.

thanks all

[kurly]

Just wanted to say that I'm glad your Angel is getting better and I hope for a full recovery VERY soon.

[fishmommie]

Just wanted to say that I'm glad your Angel is getting better and I hope for a full recovery VERY soon.

Thanks, Kurly. I hope so too. He's not out of the woods yet and I'm hoping it's not just wishful thinking on my part but I really do feel that he's looking better. At least he's not looking worse :o) How's your new angel doing?

[Lady Hobbs]

Come here to see how he was doing and happy to hear better.

[fishmommie]

Come here to see how he was doing and happy to hear better.

Thanks Lady Hobbs. I'm hopeful. And I appreciate the concern. He's such a gorgeous guy (or girl - haven't figured that out yet)