Anthias Quarantine

Apotack · Sep 14, 2020

I have 3 lyretail anthias (1 male and 2 females) in my 125. I’ve had them for about a month. Yesterday I noticed one of the females was thin and had white poop. I am assuming that it has an internal parasite as it has been eating vigorously but not put on any weight. Either way I plan on putting it back in qt My question is do I have to put all three in quarantine so I don’t mess with their hierarchy? My guess is yes but I want to make sure.
Also the qt is 20 gallons, if they start fighting would separating them with egg crate be a good idea.
Thanks

artieg1 · Sep 14, 2020

I don't think it matters. I'd be more focused on identifying and correcting the disease/condition here.

javisaman · Sep 14, 2020

If you were to put them back in quarantine I would put them in all together. If you suspect internal parasite you can feed metroplex + praziquantel + kanaplex (maybe one at a time for a few weeks) with focus and see if it knocks the parasites out.

Jay Hemdal · Sep 14, 2020

I agree with the others - treat them together, both for maintaining the pecking order, as well as they may all have the same parasite, it is perhaps just showing in the one female first.

Jay

Thaxxx · Sep 14, 2020

I wouldn't treat at all.
If they are all eating as you say, give it more time.
I've seen white poop countless times from fish now and then.
Is your poop always the same? Please don't answer that...... ;Vomit

Jay Hemdal · Sep 14, 2020

Thaxxx said:
I wouldn't treat at all.
If they are all eating as you say, give it more time.
I've seen white poop countless times from fish now and then.
Is your poop always the same? Please don't answer that...... ;Vomit

My concern is that the OP said the fish was losing weight...little Anthias don't have all that much food energy reserves and they can crash pretty quickly.

Jay

Thaxxx · Sep 14, 2020

The reason I say give it some time is because, I had a almost idenical situation 6 months back. 200 gal. Tank. Three lyretail,1 male 2 female. All 3 appeared to be eating like gang busters. They are very fast swimmers when they eat. Darting everywhere. I noticed one of my females not looking as fat as the others. I watched her more closely during feeding.
She was taking in much food, but spitting it out just before eating her next piece. This is done so fast you have to be looking for it to see it happen. Very rarely did she actually eat a piece. This went on for about a month. Other than this behavior she acted normal. No fish bothered her. She was swimming out amongst all the other fish. I almost forgot about it since she acted fine. She was pooping, so I didn't think much of it. She and the other lyretail are doing great. And they ALL occasionally spit some food out as they eat.

I would watch them as they eat. Make sure she's keeping what she appears to be eating. I would eliminate this as a reason before a actual medicated treatment. Not to mention the stress on the fish and on you. Especially when you really don't know what, if anything is wrong with her.
That's just what I would do. There seems to be as many "opinions" as there is reefers.
It's up to you to discern them and decide what you do.
Good luck with her.

Apotack · Sep 14, 2020

I’ve read about soaking the food in the medication and focus and being able to feed that in the display. Is this method actually feasible?

Apotack · Sep 15, 2020

Thaxxx said:
The reason I say give it some time is because, I had a almost idenical situation 6 months back. 200 gal. Tank. Three lyretail,1 male 2 female. All 3 appeared to be eating like gang busters. They are very fast swimmers when they eat. Darting everywhere. I noticed one of my females not looking as fat as the others. I watched her more closely during feeding.
She was taking in much food, but spitting it out just before eating her next piece. This is done so fast you have to be looking for it to see it happen. Very rarely did she actually eat a piece. This went on for about a month. Other than this behavior she acted normal. No fish bothered her. She was swimming out amongst all the other fish. I almost forgot about it since she acted fine. She was pooping, so I didn't think much of it. She and the other lyretail are doing great. And they ALL occasionally spit some food out as they eat.

I would watch them as they eat. Make sure she's keeping what she appears to be eating. I would eliminate this as a reason before a actual medicated treatment. Not to mention the stress on the fish and on you. Especially when you really don't know what, if anything is wrong with her.
That's just what I would do. There seems to be as many "opinions" as there is reefers.
It's up to you to discern them and decide what you do.
Good luck with her.

She is eating and keeping it in but she is getting thin. I’ve only noticed the white poop once So far, haven’t seen any poo since so ill keep watching

Jay Hemdal · Sep 15, 2020

Just to clarify, virtually 100% of the time, if an animal is losing weight, and you don’t change anything, it will continue until it goes into a negative energy deficit and dies. In this case, if you don’t treat prophylacticly, you need to increase its caloric intake, food type, or both....
Jay

Apotack · Sep 15, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
Just to clarify, virtually 100% of the time, if an animal is losing weight, and you don’t change anything, it will continue until it goes into a negative energy deficit and dies. In this case, if you don’t treat prophylacticly, you need to increase its caloric intake, food type, or both....
Jay

Jay,
catching all three will be difficult to say the least. What are your thoughts on feeding medication soaked food in the display?
I will be medicating, definitely not going to wait any longer. Just trying to determine the best course of action