All my angelfish are dying

Question
QUESTION: Well I had two angelfish for two years they were a pair loved them. The female died over a period of time with symptoms like: doing backflips lying on her side on the ground and unable to stay upright without effort. The on her side on the ground and unable to stay upright without effort. The male however died in a day with only symptoms like: staying near the top of the tank and right before he died his eyes were buldging from his head and his stomach was very bloated. Now I have two more angelfish that I recently bought because my tank was basically empty because I had two humungo angelfish. Now I have two smaller ones and one is dieing with symptoms of the male from before and my other one is showing signs of both but isn't bad atall yet. I'm doing a waterchange today hoping it will help. Is there anyone who can tell me what's wrong? bad atall yet. I'm doing a waterchange today hoping it will help. Last time we checked the ammonia and ph levels are all good ( last week ) and I know I'm loosing the baby right now. I just don't want to lose another. I know I wasn't that informative with the syptoms but I don't really know how to explain it. Also If I didn't say it before its only angelfish. And maybe my iredescent shark because his eyes are getting slightly larger but his eyer are always like that so idk

ANSWER: Danielle,

Are you changing your filters monthly?  If you run a canister filter, clean it right now.  The symptoms you are describing are ammonia/nitrite poisoning, or some kind of poisoning.

Please change the water asap and make sure to use a dechlorinator.  Chlorine dissipates, but Chloramine does not and it's in the water.

The swelling can be indicative of a secondary issue.  Possibly Dropsy or Swim Bladder Disorder, or a Cichlid Bloat.  Try to feed him crushed green peas and see if he will take them.

Also, make sure the temperature is 80 degrees F.  Angelfish need heat.

If you need to email again, please do.  I'll check the box periodically to help you through this.

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Renee

Sadly my little fish had died this morning.

We did a water change and are going to our pet shop tomorrow to bring in some water to get it tested for things other than ammonia and ph.

Also my remaining angel ( Oreo ) has been having like little spazz attacks when I go in and turn on the light after a few minutes..he is very social and a good fish for the two weeks I've had him. he also stays near the top of the tank sometimes like my other male did the whole week before he died.

Yes we just recently changed the filters and i belive the water is at the correct temperature! (:

Another thing is that my iredescent shark only stays at one side of the 29 gallon tank..he stays near the bubbles and rides up and down the bubbles and isnt very social. Is that normal if hes alone?

Thanks!
~Danielle

Answer
Danielle,

Are the attacks from turning on an exterior light source, or the aquarium light itself? It could be he's afraid of sudden light, but it could be more than that.

Photosensitivity goes alongside some maladies.  One such malady is TB.  

Another reason that he could be jumping is if there is an electricity leak and turning the light on makes it arc into the water.  Perhaps upon turning on the light, he gets a jolt from a cord too near the water, or a small short.

Check the electric source just incase...just a thought.

The shark is usually part of a pod of sharks in the wild.  He's just not social with other kinds of fish.  That's okay...long as he's not in there trying to get air.  If that's the case, we need to take a look at the specifications of the aquarium.

Tank size, filter size, make and model #.

Water is often the cause of a fish hanging by bubbles.  He's oxygenating.

Fish breathing air at the top of the tank, hanging by bubbles, looking like they have labored breathing, jerking, twitching or getting sores can be signs of severe ammonia and nitrate issues, caused by a malfunctioning filter or a filter too small.

I hope this additional info helps. ;)

Happy fish-keeping.

Renee