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Hello. I've inherited the care of a pair of 115 gallon tanks at my daughters' school. The one tank has a variety of tropicals (2 angelfish, 2 tetras, 1 sword tail, 1 red tail shark, 2 plecos and a couple of others (I've yet to id them) One of the angel fish is in a bad way - it spends most of it's time on it's side on the bottom or leaning against something on the bottom.

The gravel in the tank is quite dirty and will take a bit of time to clean so as to not to cause too much water change.

Tank Chemistry is okay - pH is on the high end, Nitrites and Amonia are at or very close to 0.

Any suggestions? Could it be a swim bladder issue? If so, how can I cure it?

in all honesty, when a fish hits that state, it's usualy too far gone to make it. Swim bladder disorders are fairly much a death sentence to fish as well if that's the case. If you decide to euthanise, remmember that while it seems more brutal, a finnishing hammer is far less torture than being flushed.

Thanks Veteric.

I wasn't holding out too much hope. I won't wait too long to remove the fish from the tank - I don't want to tramatize the school kids.

I don't have a hospital tank set up - I may attempt that first.

I agree with Veteric accept I personally use the ice water technique if I have to euthenise. It is less messy just as quick and you can't miss. Place a bowl of water in the freezer and wait for a thin layer of ice to form on top. Break the ice; add the fish and there you go.

"Talk is cheap. Action can be almost as affordable"

Thanks Kunzman96,

I've created a new topic with an update (I appologize to everyone if that's bad ediquette. ). The angel fish may be healthy other then badly damaged pectoral fins.