Grey Angelfish Twitch

[jamie077]

Hey everyone. I recently acquired a small two inch Gray Angelfish and have noticed it has an odd head twitch that it does quite often. Ive been reading around and I am wondering if this a normal angelfish behavior or perhaps some sort of ick or fluke situation. thanks

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey everyone. I recently acquired a small two inch Gray Angelfish and have noticed it has an odd head twitch that it does quite often. Ive been reading around and I am wondering if this a normal angelfish behavior or perhaps some sort of ick or fluke situation. thanks

Angels have gill spines that they can use as a defensive weapon, by angling their their gill plates, but they do this in response to another fish. If they do this with no other fish next to them, it is more likely "flashing" and that is a symptom like scratching, and is either a parasite they are trying to get rid of, or particles in the water that is making them itch. Flukes are the usual cause for that.

Jay

 

[jamie077]

Thank you Jay!