If you’ve noticed your angelfish swimming on its side or tilting awkwardly in the aquarium, you’re probably wondering what’s causing this abnormal behavior. There are a few potential reasons an angelfish may start swimming sideways, so read on for a detailed look at the most common causes and what you can do about them.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Angelfish swimming sideways is often a sign of swim bladder disease, which causes buoyancy problems. It can also be caused by injuries, parasitic infections, poor water quality, or neurological issues.
Swim Bladder Disease
Causes
Swim bladder disease in angelfish can be caused by a few different factors. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Bacterial or viral infections – Pathogens like bacteria, parasites, and viruses can infect the swim bladder leading to inflammation or improper functioning.
- Obstructions – Objects, tumors, or issues with the pneumatic duct can obstruct the swim bladder causing problems.
- Nutritional deficiencies – A lack of vitamins or malnutrition can impair swim bladder function.
- Poor water quality – Ammonia, nitrites, low oxygen levels and other water parameters being off can irritate the swim bladder.
- Stress – Stress from improper environment, transport, bullying, or other factors may exacerbate swim bladder issues.
- Birth defects – Some angelfish may be born with physical defects with the swim bladder.
- Injury – Direct physical trauma to the swim bladder may damage it and cause dysfunction.
Symptoms
There are a few key signs that your angelfish may be suffering from swim bladder disease:
- Floating at the surface or sinking to the bottom
- Tilting or swimming lopsided and unable to stay upright
- Struggling to swim and stay balanced
- Loss of buoyancy control
- Swimming erratically or spiraling
- Bloating or enlarged abdomen
In severe cases, angelfish may be unable to swim properly at all and rest on tank decorations, the bottom, or float helplessly. Rapid breathing, lethargy, and loss of appetite are also common symptoms. Keep an eye out for these signs of swim bladder disease.
Treatment
Treating swim bladder disease will depend on the underlying cause, but here are some general guidelines:
- Improve water quality and correct any issues with ammonia, nitrites, pH, temperature, etc.
- Treat any bacterial or parasitic infections with appropriate medications if present.
- Feed peas, daphnia, or other high-fiber foods to clear any obstructions.
- Fast for 2-3 days then feed a high quality varied diet to improve nutrition.
- Reduce stressors like bullying, overcrowding, and sudden environmental changes.
In mild cases, just improving water parameters and nutrition may resolve the issue. With proper care, most angelfish fully recover from swim bladder problems. However, severely impacted fish may need antibiotics or antifungal treatments prescribed by a vet.
Surgery is sometimes done for genetic defects or to remove tumors or obstructions. Prevention through proper husbandry is key to avoid this condition.
Treatment Type | Methods |
---|---|
Non-medical | Improved diet, fasting, ideal water parameters |
Medications | Antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics |
Surgery | To remove obstructions or defects |
With attentive care and treatment if needed, most angelfish make a full recovery from swim bladder issues. Be vigilant for symptoms and address any husbandry issues to keep your fish happy and healthy. Swim bladder disease can usually be successfully treated if caught early.
You can learn more about angelfish swim bladder disease at authoritative sites like My Aquarium Club and The Spruce Pets.
Physical Injury or Damage
Causes
There are several potential causes of physical injuries that can lead to angelfish swimming sideways (instead of upright):
- Getting attacked by aggressive tank mates like cichlids or oscars
- Scraping against sharp decorations or tank walls
- Jumping out of the tank and falling to the ground
- Being netted improperly
- Water conditions like high ammonia or nitrites burning their skin/fins
- Parasitic infections eroding tail/fin tissue over time
These causes can result in torn fins, damaged scales, infections, or internal injuries – all making it hard for the angelfish to swim properly.
Symptoms
The main symptom will be the angelfish leaning to one side and swimming sideways or even upside down rather than upright. 😕
You may also notice:
- Ragged or torn fins
- Reddened, inflamed areas on body
- Missing scales
- Cloudy eyes
- Bloated appearance
These are signs of injury, infection or internal problems arising from the initial physical trauma.
Treatment
To treat an angelfish swimming sideways due to injury/damage:
- Do a 30% water change and use a good water conditioner
- Add aquarium salt at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons
- Consider using antibiotics or antifungal meds if infection is present
- Allow time for fins/tissue to heal – regrowth takes 1-2 weeks
- Remove aggressive tankmates that may be nipping the angelfish
With proper care, most angelfish can recover fully from minor physical injuries. 😊 However, secondary infections must be controlled quickly before they spread internally. Maintaining excellent water quality can help prevent such issues altogether.
Parasitic Infections
Common Parasites
There are a few common parasites that can infect angelfish and cause them to swim sideways (also known as flashing). Two of the most prevalent are Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, the causative agent of ich disease or white spot disease, and Dactylogyrus flukes that can lead to gill flukes disease.
Both parasites are extremely contagious and without proper treatment, can wipe out aquariums of fish.
Ich is one of the most widespread and dangerous freshwater fish diseases. The protozoan parasite begins infecting fish by burrowing into their skin and gills, damaging tissue and irritating the fish. Angelfish will flash or swim along aquarium surfaces and decor in an attempt to scrape off the parasites.
White salt-like spots will pepper their body as the infection progresses.
Gill flukes such as Dactylogyrus will attach to the gills of angelfish and feed on their blood, proteins, and fluids. This hampers respiratory function, especially when in large numbers, causing angelfish to gasp at the surface or flash against objects to try dislodging the parasites.
Symptoms
Infected angelfish will display quite clear symptoms and behavioral changes. Flashing or swimming sideways along hard surfaces is one of the most characteristic signs, as the fish try to scratch and scrape off parasites bothering their skin, fins, and gills.
Other common symptoms include:
- Clamped fins held close to the body
- Increased mucus production causing a gray slime coat on body
- Rapid gilling as fish struggle to breathe
- Loss of appetite and emaciated appearance over time
- Lethargy and hanging motionless near water surface or bottom
- Pale patchy color as blood loss occurs
Ich Disease | Gill Flukes |
Small white salt-like spots on fins and body | No visible spots or markings on body |
Mild to severe flashing and irritation | Severe flashing and gasping at aquarium surface |
Treatment
Prompt treatment is essential when angelfish contract parasitic diseases like ich or gill flukes before it spreads and causes fatalities. An assortment of aquarium treatments are available that contain chemicals or compounds to kill off pathogens.
Some popular medicated bath options include:
- Formalin-based medications
- Malachite green to penetrate skin and gill tissue
- Chloroquine phosphate solutions
- Organophosphates chemicals that disrupt parasite metabolism
Follow all label instructions carefully regarding treatment duration and whether repeat applications are necessary. Performing water changes beforehand and removing carbon filtration can improve medication efficacy.
Maintaining excellent water quality will also accelerate the angelfish recovery process.
While parasitic disease outbreaks can certainly stress both hobbyist and fish alike, timely intervention and treatment will help resolve most situations with minimal loss. Those spectacular angelfish will be cruising your tank again in no time!
Poor Water Quality
Water quality is one of the most common reasons for angelfish to swim sideways. Angelfish are sensitive to water conditions and poor quality can quickly cause stress, disease, and abnormal swimming behavior.
Here are some of the main water quality issues that contribute to sideways swimming in angelfish:
Ammonia and Nitrites
Ammonia and nitrites are highly toxic to fish like angelfish. These chemicals can build up quickly in an aquarium, especially if it is overstocked or undersized. Exposure to high ammonia and nitrite levels damages gills and prevents oxygen uptake, leading to sideways swimming as the fish struggles to breathe.
It’s critical to keep ammonia and nitrites at 0 ppm in an angelfish tank through regular water changes and filtration. Test kits should be used weekly to monitor levels. Water changes of 25-50% weekly are usually needed to dilute these toxins in a cycled aquarium.
Low Oxygen
Oxygen is essential for angelfish survival. When oxygen levels drop too low, fish will swim sideways or up to the surface gasping for air. Common causes of low oxygen include:
- High temperatures – Warmer water holds less oxygen
- Overstocking – More fish breathe more oxygen
- Poor surface agitation – Stagnant water has less gas exchange
- Organic waste buildup – Decomposition consumes oxygen
Installing an air stone, reducing stocking levels, and improving filtration can often raise oxygen. Cooler water temperatures also help. You want the tank water to be above 5 ppm dissolved oxygen for healthy angelfish.
Treatment
If poor water quality is causing angelfish to swim sideways, take immediate action to improve conditions. Here are some tips:
- Change 25-50% of the water to dilute toxins
- Use activated carbon to absorb impurities
- Add an air stone to increase oxygenation
- Reduce feeding to lower waste production
- Clean or replace filter media to enhance filtration
Test kits are critical for identifying and adjusting specific water parameters. With prompt troubleshooting and clean, oxygenated water, an angelfish’s sideways swimming behavior should improve within a few days in most cases.
Neurological Issues
Causes
There are several potential neurological issues that can cause angelfish to swim sideways, including:
- Bacterial infections – Diseases like tuberculosis can affect the nervous system and cause fish to lose coordination and balance.
- Parasitic infections – Parasites like nematodes and trematodes can invade the brain and spinal cord, leading to neurological symptoms.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Lack of vitamins like B1, B6, B12, C and E can cause neurological problems in fish.
- Birth defects – Some angelfish may be born with underdeveloped nervous systems that impair coordination and movement.
- Injuries – Trauma to the head or body can damage nerves and cause loss of orientation.
- Toxins – Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides or other toxins can have neurotoxic effects.
- Old age – Degeneration of the nervous system can occur as fish get older.
Of these, infections and nutritional deficiencies are among the most common causes of sideways swimming in angelfish. However, a thorough veterinary examination is needed to determine the exact cause.
Symptoms
Angelfish swimming sideways will display some key symptoms:
- Tilting or listing to one side while staying upright (not upside down).
- Swimming in circles or spirals, often in one direction.
- Difficulty maintaining balance and orientation.
- Colliding with tank walls or decorations.
- Lethargy and loss of appetite.
These signs indicate a loss of equilibrium and coordination. The angelfish tries to swim straight but cannot maintain control. The condition may start mildly but worsen over time if left untreated.
Treatment
Treatment options for a sideways swimming angelfish depend on the underlying cause:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections.
- Antiparasitic medications for parasites.
- Improved diet with vitamin supplements.
- Clean, stress-free environment if due to injury or age.
- Removal of toxins and frequent water changes.
In addition, the following general care tips can help:
- Add aquarium salt to help reduce stress and heal wounds.
- Provide proper hiding places and reduce tank traffic/noise.
- Keep water pristine with frequent testing and changes.
- Consult an experienced fish veterinarian for proper diagnosis and care.
With prompt treatment, many angelfish can recover fully from sideways swimming. However, swim bladder disorders and permanent neurological damage have a poorer prognosis. Catching the issue early improves chances for a successful treatment outcome.
Conclusion
In summary, angelfish swimming sideways or tilting is often caused by swim bladder problems, injuries, parasites, poor water conditions, or neurological disorders. By identifying the underlying issue and promptly treating it, you can help get your angelfish back to swimming normally again.
Be sure to quarantine new fish, maintain excellent water quality, and watch for signs of disease to keep your angelfish happy and healthy. With proper care, your angelfish can live a long and active life in your aquarium.