Bicolor Angel turning Black

[stilcrazy]

Part of one side of my Bicolor Angel is turning black ... other than that he seems ok ... any thoughts?

[gman0526]

Picture would truly help. Is this a new addition to the tank? Anything out of the norm happened in your tank the last few days?

[stilcrazy]

No he has been there for quite a while ... and nothing new added

[gman0526]

Is this only on this side (right)or it's on the other side as well?

[stilcrazy]

No only the one side ... just noticed he seems to be laboring with breathing ... I think I may have to segregate him

My quarantine tank is full of baby seahorses... I will have to find something

[puleski]

Check your LFS they may have a hospital tank already setup.

[Linda C.]

Can you update us on the fish?

Here is a inexpensive idea for a hospital tank.

A food safe container, heater, airstone, and some plastic plants/pvc. (no carbon filtration if you are medicating the fish).

I love the buckets...makes water changes so easy. I fill the next bucket 1/2 full of new water (same SQ and temp) and then scoop out 1/2 the water from the previous bucket and put in the fish and all the equipment.

Scooping the water out makes it so I don't have to worry about any gunk/slime on the bottom of the bucket.

By rotating the buckets I can clean them out each water change.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l197/close5/DSCN0870.jpg

[gman0526]

Awesome idea and suggestion Linda ;)

[Linda C.]

Is it possible it got stung by anything in the tank? (another type of fish or coral?)

[stilcrazy]

Thanks for the replies everyone … I have been a little preoccupied as my mother took ill and just passed away ... she was 92 and lived a very good life but will be missed.

The best I have been able to do for the bicolor is a couple of water changes but he seems to be doing ok … black area seems to be diminishing. His breathing still seems a little labored and I have a hospital tank ready as soon as I can get him in there. I tried once but he was not cooperating at all. I am going to have to do a complete teardown of the tank to catch him and I have just not had the time.

Linda no I do not believe he was stung by anything as there has been nothing new added for sometime. I’m thinking maybe age as he was one of my originals … I’m not sure.

Any way as much as anything I wanted to let you know I was not ignoring your replies.
Thanks.

[gman0526]

Wow , that's very sad indeed, but as you mentioned she lived a full life and at the end that's all we can really aspire to. My condolences :(


As far as the fish is concerned it's good to hear that whatever seems to be affecting it is somewhat subsiding.

[Jennifer]

Condelences to you and your family:happysad:

[Linda C.]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom.

[Linda C.]

I tried once but he was not cooperating at all. I am going to have to do a complete teardown of the tank to catch him and I have just not had the time.

Don't tear the tank apart to get to the fish. Stirring up things is not the best idea if you can help it.

One technique is to use either glass pieces (like aquairum tops) or clear plastic pieces. Try to section off an area of the tank by putting in the glass/plastic. I also use large specimen containers because sometimes they swim right into them. (put flat edge against the glass and chase them in that direction)

Long thin water safe things are good to use also. I use the Sea Squirt target feeded to "poof" the fish out of cracks and crevices. Ends of nets are blunt and won't spear the fish. Handle of long scrapers...you get the idea.

If you have to...go for 'low tide' to get the bugger out.

I pump out water into barrels (put in heaters to keep water temp up if you think you need to). I have gone as far down as just a few inches of water in the tank.

get the fish out and put the water back in the tank. (use a plate/bown or something when the water is being pumped back in to you don't make a 'sand storm')

I am a HUGE fan of "Low Tide"...The stress on the inhabitants is so much less than chasing a fish around knocking into coral and rocks.

[sbeth1179]

my 3 spotted damsel is doing th weirdest thing. during the day his coloring is fine. At night he looks almost white. Im looking at the tank right now which had the light turned off and he is as white as a ghost with the exception of his tail and fins. is he sick? He had ich and we treated all the fish with a freashwater bath which helped, he cleared up nicely, and this weekend we are going to get a cleaner shrimp. I just dont know what is wrong with him.

[Elsherst]

a few of my fish do that. I think it's just a night time thing.

[Jennifer]

It can also be a sign of stress. We had a powder blue that would turn almost translucent when it was stressed! And once it relaxed the colors would be just as vibrant as ever :)