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I have an extremely stable and well established and cycled 72g tank containing a pair of angels among other fish. I have had these angels for 2 years.

The male is now somewhat bloated and hovering near the surface. He did try to eat tonight so I know he has an appetite but he is not very enthusiastic about it.

I did a water change (30%) as usual, about a week ago. I change the water every two weeks and I have maintained the same routine with these fish for two years. They have thrived and layed eggs all along but lately no eggs either. Outwardly the fish looks fine (fins look good, not clamped, and no signs of fungus or ich or other trauma except maybe slightly bloated) but something is obviously wrong.

I have not tested my water this evening but will do so in the a.m.

Could it be old age? This angel is roughly 4-5 inches top to bottom.

Does this sound like possible internal parasite?

Any suggestions??

If he's bloated then it may be constipation. If he's still willing to eat than I suggest giving him a shelled pea. That should clean out his insides. Other than that, there's nothing else you can really do. Improving the water quality may help. Anyway, good luck!

I tried the peas but they sank. So I carefully put them on the end of a toothpick and hovered them over him. No luck. Poor thing is trying to eat the regular feeding tonight but is getting "tired". His breathing looks labored. HELP!!!!!

did you shell the pea? try squishing the insides of the pea for the fish to eat. Some fish keepers have a day of fasting, which i use when i think my fish are getting bloated. This helps clean their systems out...at least of poo, anyways.

I've got a fever... and the only prescription... is more cowbell!

There's nothing really else that you can do I'm afraid. I once had a bloated danio and he ended up exploding, so maybe you should quarantine him into a tank with prime conditions. Keep trying with the shelled peas, and try not to feed him too much. If you do, he's just going to get more bloated and the less chance he has of surviving. Try asking people at your LFS that may have something like a fish laxative. I don't know if they exist, but you can always try. I've also heard about Epsom Salts curing constipation. If you wish to try this, do a google search about the dosage. In a book I have it says a teaspoon per gallon, but it seems a bit much to me. Anyway, check around. If the fish does recover, improve it's diet. What exactly are you feeding him?

Bloating is often bacterial in origin, so you cant say that nothing can be done, the cause could be protozoan, bacterial , brought on my larger internal parasites or even maldigestion and thermic shock.

I'd at least try an antibiotic before I gave up.

What temp is the tankwater incidentally?

I tested the water and all the readings are the same they have been for three years (and the fish have thrived).

Temp is 80 degrees, again as it has been for three years.

He is on his side at the bottom tonight. I can't bring myself to euthanize him but I can't look at him either. This is just heartbreaking. It's been so long since I've lost an aquafriend, I forgot how horrible it is.

At this point, I think you are right. Nothing can be done. If someone can suggest a last minute approach, it would be appreciated. Meds are so touchy in my tank since I have three clown loaches and many panda corys.

I am ready to cry now

BTW, Longhairedgit, I love your bit about dying fish (the end of your message). So true, so true. Someday people will figure it out, but when!?!??!

Any news on you Angelfish? I'm dying to know about him! Please give me the good news that he's alive and well!

THanks Jay, but he died last night. I am quite convinced it was swim bladder. He had no outward signs of illness. I am wondering if he got knocked around by our large clown loach.

Its possible but a lot of angels are horribly inbred, it might simply have been a genetic weakness.