Wagging angels

Hi all,

I have a group of 7 young angels in a growout tank with some plecs and I've noticed some odd movements from them. I've never seen this type of thing before so don't know if anything is wrong or how to treat it.

They all seem to be 'wagging' their whole bodies but not moving then they'll dart forward in a very irratic way. No signs of heavy breathing, no external signs of infection and all still eating.

I've also noticed so flicking their ventrals like they're trying to shake something off them.

Has anyone seen this before? Does any body know what it is or what I should do about it?

Thanks,
Sam

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It sounds to me like there's something irritating them. Check your water, do a 30% water change if there's any sign of something not quite right. I would be tempted to treat with protozin also just in case there's a little nasty found its way into your tank.
As Gibbo says, angels do communicate with their fins, especially when deciding whose boss, if this is the case then there's not much to worry about, just watch to make sure it doesn't get out of hand.

Hi Sam
I have seen it stated somewhere that erretic movements and darting arround the tank could be a sign of heavy metal contamination in the water. Probably not but just a thought.
Dave

Thanks all!

I have done a 25% water change tonight with RO water stained with tannins from Alder cones in the hope that the fresh water will provide some natural help for them.

I've got hexamita at the ready incase things take a turn for the worse.

It definitely seems that something is irritating them, I hope that it is not heavy metals. I will monitor and keep you updated whilst asking for further advice.

Thanks again,
Sam

There's definitely something not right.

The water change doesn't seem to have made any difference. Found almost half of them with clamped fins and some hanging at the water surface this morning.

I've added salt and hexamita treatment as I don't know what else to try. I have myxazin (a bacterial treatment) as well as a king british bacterial infection treatment. Should I try either of these?

My gut feeling is that it is something parasitic. The flicking seems to suggest they are irritated by something around their head and gills and the only thing I know of that it could be is Flukes?

Help and advice greatly appreciated as I really don't want to loose these guys!

Sam

Could realy do with water readings so that can be ruled out: ph, temp, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, GH & KH. readings from the tank & readings from the water you add.

I got my water tested this morning.

pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0.2
Nitrate - 100
Temp - 25 oC

Not sure on the hardness but I would say moderately hard going by my tap water and the RO:Tap mix i use.

Sam