Sick fish. Quarantine tank?

Question

Yesterday I got six angelfish and put them into their own tank.  This tank was the previous home to two of my other angelfish.  I had this tank set up for over a year and cycled it anyway.  I washed the gravel, plants and anchor that was in it.  I added new water and conditioner.  Then I replaced the filter, with the old sponge and other parts.  Finally I left three zebra danios in it and let it sit for six weeks.  The zebras were older fish that did fine in this tank and were moved back.  I then added the six angels.  A day later, five of the angels are doing fine and are finally warming up to me.  One seems to have forgotten how to swim.  I know there must be something wrong with him as he cannot swim in the current of the filter at all and bounces everywhere.  He currently has shielded himself with a plant.

I know I should remove him but I don't have a quarantine tank without a fish currently in it.  So I figure moving him into one of these would be a bad idea.  I do have an empty 2.5 gallon tank for a temporary home until tomorrow but it only has an air stone.  Would this be better than nothing?  I don't want to stress him out even more but I know that it might be better for the other fish if he is sick.

Thanks for any help :)

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Angels are normally pretty still water fish to start with so the 2.5 gal with the air-stone ought to work fine temporarily,  especially if you don't overfeed him/her/it.   
 Do remember to match temps and to acclimate him.  

He still might not make it.  Could an air bladder problem, or internal infection.  

 I have occasionally "helped" a few of my new goldfish swim that were afflicted like this (steadied them) and some of them actually got over it.  Never tried it with an angel, though.  Also, a little bit of salt in the tank might help.

crazyotto65 · Answer

I wouldn't add 6 fish to any tank at the same time.. Too many. It will create to much of an ammonia spike. 

You don't say how big the tank is or how big the angels are.

I wouldn't do anything. Chances are he is sick and is a goner.

The best medicine is water changes.

Balaji R · Answer

One main reason would be while you bought it from the shop it may be sick. You can quarantine it in a 2.5 G tank for a week or so, but better it would be with its own tank with companions, because separating it also would kill him, let u hope for the best and leave it alone in the tank, ity should get better.

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Sick fish. Quarantine tank?

3 Answers