Amazing fish survival stories

[crazyfishmom]

Several months ago I set up a 55 gallon quarantine tank. It was set up as a hypo tank. The last addition to the tank was a green clown goby. Cutest tiny baby ever.

When I decommissioned the tank 4 weeks ago, the little guy was “gone”. I turned off the lights, the heater, the flow, everything. The fish were placed into the tanks that I thought appropriate for each based on long term size expectations and other tank mates.

Life has been busy so the tank sat with water but no food or anything else for 4 weeks (probably closer to 5). A few minutes ago I thought to myself “gee I have a few minutes, I should get started on cleaning that tank”… guess who was just sitting on a food clip that had been sitting at the bottom of the tank for a while!!!!!!!

I am so amazed with this little guy. I was able to catch him and put him in my softy tank immediately. I saw him perch within a Kenya tree but I can’t get a good shot. Will try to grad a picture later. Thawing some food now and added oyster feast to the tank.

Any thoughts on food that might be good to try with him? He’s about an inch.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

I’m assuming he’s probably skinny, in that case Mysis shrimp, squid and clam would be the best things to feed to help him gain weight back on, but a variety is always best. I feed all new/underweight fish a mix of mysis and squid (the squid from hikari is a nice size and shape, looks like little worms) until they’re nice and fat, then I move them onto a mysis/brine/krill mix. Spirulina enhanced foods may also help bring out his green coloration.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I’m assuming he’s probably skinny, in that case Mysis shrimp, squid and clam would be the best things to feed to help him gain weight back on, but a variety is always best. I feed all new/underweight fish a mix of mysis and squid (the squid from hikari is a nice size and shape, looks like little worms) until they’re nice and fat, then I move them onto a mysis/brine/krill mix. Spirulina enhanced foods may also help bring out his green coloration.

I’ve never bought the squid. Thanks for the recommendation!

Thankfully I’ve seen him eat. He’s eaten spirulina loaded brine and some blood worms. He’s a little skinny but looks surprisingly good. I still haven’t managed to get a picture; he is extremely skittish.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

I’ve never bought the squid. Thanks for the recommendation!

Thankfully I’ve seen him eat. He’s eaten spirulina loaded brine and some blood worms. He’s a little skinny but looks surprisingly good. I still haven’t managed to get a picture; he is extremely skittish.

sounds like he’s on his way to recovery! I’d recommend feeding twice a day, and keep bloodworms as a very occasional treat as they have a ton of iron and not much else for nutrients, fish love them but it’s the equivalent of McDonald’s haha

 

[crazyfishmom]

sounds like he’s on his way to recovery! I’d recommend feeding twice a day, and keep bloodworms as a very occasional treat as they have a ton of iron and not much else for nutrients, fish love them but it’s the equivalent of McDonald’s haha

lol good to know… I did not know they were so devoid of nutritional value.

Fish are amazingly resilient. Super surprised.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

lol good to know… I did not know they were so devoid of nutritional value.

Fish are amazingly resilient. Super surprised.

Yes they lack amino acids and have a very low protein level, they are mostly just iron which has been known to cause problems long term for fish’s organs when feeding strictly bloodworms or too often. as a treat they are fine though, personally I feed them once a week or less.

Fish can come back from a lot! they are hardier than we know, depending on the problem.

 

[PharmrJohn]

That is a really cool story. That little bugger would automatically become my favorite fish!

 

[crazyfishmom]

That is a really cool story. That little bugger would automatically become my favorite fish!

He is crazy cute. Still can’t get a good picture. He’s hiding within one of my Kenya trees behind a leather. Seen him eat a few times now I have every reason to hope he’ll be okay. Hopefully I can catch a shot soon!

 

[littlefoxx]

A week ago I found my new pyramid butterfly lying on her side breathing heavy. No other fish in the tank had anything wrong with them. I pulled her out and put her in an observation tank. Turned out she had gotten bit and took a chunk out of her mouth by one of the eels when they were feeding. I thought for sure she was a goner, couldnt even swim right. Today she was eating really well and swimming around. I released her back into the DT this morning and she is doing fantastic! Kinda looks like Gill from Finding Nemo now but shes doing great and still a fat happy fish!

 

[crazyfishmom]

A week ago I found my new pyramid butterfly lying on her side breathing heavy. No other fish in the tank had anything wrong with them. I pulled her out and put her in an observation tank. Turned out she had gotten bit and took a chunk out of her mouth by one of the eels when they were feeding. I thought for sure she was a goner, couldnt even swim right. Today she was eating really well and swimming around. I released her back into the DT this morning and she is doing fantastic! Kinda looks like Gill from Finding Nemo now but shes doing great and still a fat happy fish!

That’s amazing! I’m glad she’s doing well!!!!! I love pyramids. Such beautiful fish.

 

[littlefoxx]

That’s amazing! I’m glad she’s doing well!!!!! I love pyramids. Such beautiful fish.

Me too! And she isnt shy and hiding in the DT either because of it. Im amazed how resilient she is, especially since I just have her not a trio like people usually do

 

[littlefoxx]

Here she is! And a picture of her face injury.

 

[crazyfishmom]

Here she is! And a picture of her face injury.

She’s beautiful! I wonder whether she’ll completely heal over time.

 

[littlefoxx]

She’s beautiful! I wonder whether she’ll completely heal over time.

Yeah Im not sure! Ill keep you updated. Im just glad it doesnt stop her eating

 

[crazyfishmom]

Finally let me get a clear picture (partially also my fault since I had not thoroughly cleaned the glass on this tank for a couple of weeks). He’s eating like a piggy and glides around the tank all the time. Super fun little guy.