Golden Angelfish - Tail-end keeps falling slightly - Swim Bladder?

Tim Olson · Jun 22, 2017

I recently aquired a Golden Angel, which I've had for 3 days. It's just starting to come out in the open, from the rocks, and I've noticed her tail-end keeps falling slightly (20-30°). She levels herself quickly, but then the tail falls again. Is this a swim bladder issue? If so, I understand it could be do to quick decompression when it was captured.

• How worried should I be about this?
• Is there anything I should/can do?

FYI, I have plenty of rockwork and hiding places and I'm keeping the lights mostly off and dim. I'm hoping this helps reduces it's anxiety and it will gradually get better.

Thanks for any help!

Tim Olson · Jun 22, 2017

FYI, here's the best information I've found on the Golden Angel ... http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/angels/GoldenAngelfish.php.

aykwm · Jun 22, 2017

I don't think you should worry about this, I see many fish that when they relax they bend their fin tail or the back body, especially true with wrasses. I think since its now started to swim in the open it started to relax a bit hence the fin appear to be dropping.

Try to observe the dorsal fin, if it extended and the tail went straight and then it retracted and tail dropped then possibly its just how stressed the fish is.

Humblefish · Jun 22, 2017

They are a deep water angel, so a gas bubble in the swim bladder is a possibility. Do you see any bulges near the swim bladder or stomach area?

Tim Olson · Jun 22, 2017

Thanks!

I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding, although, it appears the fins themselves all seem fully extended (given the small amount of time it's been out from the rocks). It's actually the entire body rotating, moving downward in the rear. Or, in other words, it has it "nose" upward then corrects itself to level.

I wish I could get a video, but hasn't been out enough. So here's an illustration that might help.

Hopefully it's just getting used to it's new home ... I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Tim Olson · Jun 22, 2017

Humblefish said:
They are a deep water angel, so a gas bubble in the swim bladder is a possibility. Do you see any bulges near the swim bladder or stomach area?

I haven't noticed any bulges ... yet. Is that something that could develop over a few days?

Thanks!

Humblefish · Jun 22, 2017

Tim Olson said:
I haven't noticed any bulges ... yet. Is that something that could develop over a few days?

It can take weeks (or sometimes a month or two) to develop after collection. It's caused by bringing a deep water fish up to the surface too quickly.

Tim Olson · Jun 22, 2017

So, if it's from decompression, should I just wait it out or is there something special I should be doing?

Right now I'm target feeding 3-4 times a day with Frozen Mysis, Brine Shrimp & Nutramar Ova, plus there's some algae for it to nibble on. I'm also trying to maintain stable water parameters.

Could it also be from salinity stress? Since I know the salinity changed significantly. The LFS was running 1.020 and my tank was at 1.023 in preparation for the fish. Now I'm slowly raising the salinity back to 1.025.

Thank you so much for your guidance.

Humblefish · Jun 22, 2017

I would just wait & see for now. These fish are very reclusive and exhibit other odd behavior.

But if a gas bubble shows up, this is what you're gonna have to do: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/venting-a-swim-bladder-black-cap-basslet.219954/

4FordFamily · Jun 22, 2017

Usually a fish swimming like it has a fishing weight tied to its tail is exhibited by wrasse with spinal injuries. Not sure if that is an accurate description of your fish, this isn't common in angels. Come to think of it, I've never heard of it in angels.

Tim Olson · Jun 22, 2017

Humblefish - I'm hoping it's just odd behavior, since I don't relish venting it's bladder.

4FordFamily - Hopefully I just misinterpreted it's motions, especially given the limited amount of time I saw it swimming.

So, I guess I'll wait and continue to observe.

Thanks again