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Hi, i just got home to find my 5 year old male angel swimming almost upside up in my tank, of course i freaked! he´s like my favourite fish!

I can't figure out what's wrong, nothing has changed in the tank for the past 4 years, same decor, same WC routine (once a week) nothing added PH stable at 7 26C temperature, same food once a day (tetramin pro). Just in case i did a mild WC and he seemed better but still swimming kind of upward.

Any idea anyone as what can be happening?

Could be swim bladder related, or down to gas in the gut, possibly organ compression or exhaustion from an infection. Is the swimming nose up, tail up, or drifting sideways?

First thought is ruptured or partially adhered swim bladder, happens a lot especially with koi angels, bit of a genetic weakness.

At 5 years it might be the end of his days, especially if his diet has been flake dependant all of his life, they are just like many other cichlids in that few do terribly well or reach full longevity on artificial foods, the big long lived ones are usually getting a fair selection of frozen lifefoods too.

Lots of keepers, ( myself included ) also tend to keep them closer to 80f and ph 6.5 or so over the long term, seems to give them the long term boost of the immune system and metabolism they need to stay healthy. Higher ph causes thickening of gill lamellae, that in turn affects oxygen absorbtion and that has knock on effect in terms of immuno loss and maldigestion, and that too can knock a few years off their lives.

Is he passing normally? Any sign of constipation or stringy poo?

If it be swim blader mate, try a skinless frozen pea. If you thunk it is a strictly a bladder problem, stop feeding for a day or two. Good luck!