Sick fish won't eat
Printed From: Utah Reefs
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Topic: Sick fish won't eat
Posted By: Fish Mama
Subject: Sick fish won't eat
Date Posted: November 20 2011 at 2:27pm
| 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. |
Replies:
Posted By: bbauman
Date Posted: November 20 2011 at 6:48pm
|
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) ------------- 28g Cube http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23030" rel="nofollow - Beginners Guide to Saltwater Aquariums Brandon in West Jordan |
Posted By: Fish Mama
Date Posted: November 20 2011 at 7:56pm
| 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? |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date 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. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: bbauman
Date Posted: November 21 2011 at 9:33am
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How's the fish this morning? ------------- 28g Cube http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23030" rel="nofollow - Beginners Guide to Saltwater Aquariums Brandon in West Jordan |
Posted By: Fish Mama
Date Posted: November 21 2011 at 11:04am
| 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? |
Posted By: bbauman
Date Posted: November 21 2011 at 12:12pm
|
Anything is worth trying... good luck! ------------- 28g Cube http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23030" rel="nofollow - Beginners Guide to Saltwater Aquariums Brandon in West Jordan |
Posted By: Fish Mama
Date Posted: November 22 2011 at 5:52pm
| 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. |
Posted By: bbauman
Date 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.------------- 28g Cube http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23030" rel="nofollow - Beginners Guide to Saltwater Aquariums Brandon in West Jordan |