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Angel Fish not eating

23 11:42:03

Question
I also have an angel fish that is not eating.  I have been giving her a variety of food - flakes, brine shrimp flakes, disks (round flakes), frozen brine shrimp and blood worms.  She will take a bite now and then.  I did do a week of Maricyn II which is for fish not eating.  I just did a 25% water change and added declor and Stress Zyme.  I noticed that you had said that the lack of appetite can be from stress and recommened that Stress Coat be used.  Is it okay to add Stress Coat now that I added Declor?  Also, there is currently no Stress Coat in their water (28 gallon) so should I add enough for the 28 gallons?
I am getting nervous as she looks like she is starving.  She does hang out by the heater which is always at 82.  The water tests perfect.  She used to always swim up to me but now she almost seems afraid of me yet my appearance has not changed.  She is only 2 years old.  Please help me.
Thank you!!!!!

Answer
Hi Sherrie-Jo,
Stress Zyme, I never use.  It says it helps the biological filter, but I find this hard to believe.  Stress Coat or Aquaplus are the ones I use because it removes harmful chlorine, and chloramine from the water.  You must use one of these products everytime you do a water change.  Chlorine, and chloramine is very harmful to fish.  Stress Zyme is more like "Cycle" and in my opinion is not that good to use.  Once your tank is free of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are low, there is no reason to use Stress Zyme, in fact, I see no reason to use this product whatsoever.  The best way to cycle a tank is to buy a used sponge.  A used sponge is full of good bacteria.  Always rinse your sponge in water that you have removed from your tank, and never under the tap when cleaning your filter.  This way you keep the good bacteria in your tank.  A sponge is good for a very long time, until it is old, ragged, and falling apart.  Do 25% water changes every week to keep your water chemistry safe.
If you are not using a water conditioner such as Stress Coat, then your fish is living in chlorine, and chloramine, this would be enough to eventually make her very sick.  Also, I would like you to check if she is getting enough oxygen.  By this I mean, is the water circulating in your tank?  Your filter must splash water down into the water of your tank causing water movement.  There must be a space between your filter, and the water in your tank.  
Are there other fish in your tank with the Angel.  If so, maybe one of them is stressing her.  There is a reason why she is not eating, you must be very observant, and try to find the reason why.  Check your water PH.  Angels must be in acidic water which means 6.5 to 7.0  If she is in a high PH this could also be a reason for her behavior.  To lower PH, never use chemicals.  Buy driftwood, and clean it.  Let it soak in a pail for a week, so that all the brown tint is gone away.  Try to buy one that is already in a tank at your pet store.  If you have shells, or coral in your tank, this would also make your water alkaline.  I am trying to help you find the reason why she is not eating...apart from this, then it could be an internal disease, but before adding medication, I would like you to check everything to make sure it isn't something in your tank.  Add Stress Coat or Aquaplus to your water, stop the Stress Zyme, and maybe in a few days, she will perk up.  I sure hope so.
Keep me posted on how she is doing.
Lynda