Angel Fish on her side

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a pair of Angel fish that I have had for about six years. I do not know their sex.  For the past 4? years they have shared a 55 gallon tank with a large picostomas and one medium sized gold fish.  Last week I found the picostomas dead and one of my Angel's on her side with a bloated stomach.  Her color looks good, but when she tries to go under water she bounces back to the top like a balloon.  I read a post here about feeding her peas and have been attempting to do so for the past five days or so.  I see zero improvement.  I also moved both of them to a 10 gallon tank with nothing but a filter and bubble stone.  PLEASE tell me what else I can do.  I am starting to worry about my healthy Angel because I don't think she is eating the peas.  I was concerned that I would stress both of them if I separated them because they have always been together, never straying far from the other.  What should I do?  Any help would be appreciated.  I can not tell if I am getting any peas down her for sure or not.  Water is kept clean, scooping out excess peas twice a day and rinsing the filter at the same time. Ph level OK.  I also added aquarium salt to the sick tank by recommendation of the pet store.

THANK YOU
Janet

ANSWER: Hi Janet: Peas are good for some fish but not all fish will eat them I prefer to feed fish brine shrimp instead of peas because it has the same effect and most fish will eat brine shrimp.  It sounds more like a swim bladder issue... so I would feed her the brine shrimp and add aquarium salt to the diet.  I have never found an effective medication for swim bladder because there are a variety of things that may cause it.  Keep her well fed so that she can keep her energy level up. It is very tireing for fish to fight against the water.  Also try to keep the tank a little darker so she doesn't feel so exposed.  The swim bladder in fish is a gas bladder and sometimes the salt will help them get the nutrients they need to heal.  The brineshrimp come into play if she has an intestinal blockage which is preventing the swim bladder from expelling its gas.  keep me posted please... dave

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QUESTION: Dave, thank you for the reply.  Betty fought a good fight, but I lost her yesterday.  I followed your instructions, and that of others, but we lost the battle.  I am now concerned for her partner.  They had never been more than a few inches apart in their 55 gallon home.  I cannot find another Angel that is close to Bertha's size. Should I get a smaller one for her to be with? (I really have no idea about the sex) THANKS

Answer
Hi Janet:  I am sorry Betty has passed on... I know losing fish can be hard.  Her partner will be fine for now... I would not put another angelfish in with him for probably the next two weeks or so.  When you do add angels I would add three or four of them about half his size or bigger.  This way if there is an aggression issue it will be spread about the tank and not just directed at one fish.  It will also make life a bit easier on you because if you should lose a fish the impact on the tank will not be that great.  Again, I am sorry for your loss.... dave