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Fish Mama 
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 Topic: Sick fish won't eat
Posted: November 20 2011 at 2:27pm |
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I have been battling ick with my lyretail anthias for several days now. I've done the garlic in the food and rid ick med. The cleaner shrimp seems to have scraped the fish pretty hard. Now it won't eat at all and hovers at the top of the tank. Any suggestions to get it to eat? Thanks in advance.
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bbauman
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Posted: November 20 2011 at 6:48pm |
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Is it able to swim still or is it hovering at the top because it seems too weak or unable to go somewhere else?
It has been my experience with ich that once a fish begins to exhibit behavior like hiding or remaining in one place it will usually mean the end of the fish. If however, the fish still moves around the tank, going in and out of hiding, etc. they still have a chance.
What more can you explain about the methods you've tried? Did you dose the water as well as soak the food in garlic?
When I want to get a fish to eat, I drop a couple of drops of garlic extreme in the tank to "ring the dinner bell" and then drop in some garlic soaked food.
I wish you the best with your sick fishie.
(edited for spelling)
Edited by bbauman - November 20 2011 at 7:03pm
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Fish Mama
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Posted: November 20 2011 at 7:56pm |
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I did not know about staying in one place, but the fish hovers at the top by a power head. I have done the garlic thing. My only last guess is to set up a quarantine tank tomorrow. It certainly has ick but also it's flanks look damaged.it seems to want to eat but does not. Should I try live brine shrimp tomorrow?
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ReefdUp
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Posted: November 20 2011 at 8:30pm |
I would try Selcon and amino acids. Usually with cryptocaryon irritans (marine ich), a secondary bacterial infection sets in and kills the fish. If the fish is starting to look "damaged", then you may have an infection setting in. Whenever I treat for crypt, I use hyposalinity with a broad-spectrum antibiotic. I highly suggest this method if there's time left for the fish.
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Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
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bbauman
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Posted: November 21 2011 at 9:33am |
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How's the fish this morning?
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Fish Mama
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Posted: November 21 2011 at 11:04am |
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Thanks for asking. It was breathing very heavily still. I think it ate a morsel of frozen food. It will probably go to the shrimp cleaner station when the lights go on. I am wondering if live brine shrimp would entice it to eat?
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bbauman
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Posted: November 21 2011 at 12:12pm |
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Anything is worth trying... good luck!
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Fish Mama
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Posted: November 22 2011 at 5:52pm |
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Update... anthias is still alive and swimming a bit more. I think the Rid Ick was what helped. I feel more hopeful for its recovery.
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bbauman
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Posted: November 23 2011 at 8:30am |
 Glad to hear it. Don't let your guard down, try to keep him fed, and keep a close eye on him.
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