Sick Angelfish?

Question
Hi Chris,

The other morning my girlfriend woke up to find our Angelfish lying upside down in one of our plants, still breathing, fins still moving. She moved it out off the plant and it rapidly swam away, then swam sideways, upside-down, and every which way for a few minutes, then went to the bottom of the tank and laid on its side. Now for the past couple of days it has been laying on its side (always the same side) fins moving, occasionally looking like it was trying to swim, but to no avail. Yet, every time we touch it to move it out of a plant or behind a rock or something, it swims away rapidly, then lays back on its side. I really don't know what's going on and I have come to really like my fish.

20 Gallon Tank
2 Bala Sharks, 1 Platty, 1 Angelfish (We had 2, but one died a couple of months ago)
Topfin 30 filter
I am going to check the levels right after I send this
Water changes - 25% about every two weeks, 50% or more on occasion

Any help you can give would be awesome.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Justin;

His swim bladder has failed for some reason. He can't defend himself and compete for food in the community tank so you would have to separate him if you want to try to treat him. Sometimes swim bladder disorders are from an internal bacterial infection. Sometimes it's from constipation, shock or stress. Sometimes a fish can develop cancer and it causes the failure of the swim bladder. It really is hard to say. The only two possible treatments are with "Maracyn Two" for bacterial infections and/or feeding cooked peeled green pea chunks for constipation. You may have to feed by hand if the fish will allow you to.

I hope he gets better...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins