Azure Damselfish help

[helwrj28]

Hi there I'm finishing up QT round on an Azure Damselfish and I think it's showing HLLE as a consequence and still has decreased appetite. I have finished the copper round (30 days with Copper power), followed by dosing of Prazipro. Has been treatment free for about 2 weeks but still decreased appetite and showing signs of what I think is HLLE...

What other treatment or medication is recommended? Should I try Stressguard?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi there I'm finishing up QT round on an Azure Damselfish and I think it's showing HLLE as a consequence and still has decreased appetite. I have finished the copper round (30 days with Copper power), followed by dosing of Prazipro. Has been treatment free for about 2 weeks but still decreased appetite and showing signs of what I think is HLLE...

What other treatment or medication is recommended? Should I try Stressguard?

PraziPro will reduce both oxygen and appetite. What level Copper were you dosing and what test kit were you using to monitor the dose?
Stressguard will do nothing and is literally a bandage than a treatment or aid.

As for determining hlle or similar, a couple of pics under white lighting would be helpful

 

[helwrj28]

PraziPro will reduce both oxygen and appetite. What level Copper were you dosing and what test kit were you using to monitor the dose?
Stressguard will do nothing and is literally a bandage than a treatment or aid.

As for determining hlle or similar, a couple of pics under white lighting would be helpful

I used between 2.0 and 2.5 ppm for therapeutic dose, and made sure to ramp up over about a week time. I used the hanna copper instrument to measure.

Here are a couple pictures, sorry hard to get anything accurate/clear right now, but hopefully you can see the discoloration on its face.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not seeing HLLE but some imperfections that may be related to nutrition deficiency. I assume youre feeding flake/pellet?

Feed:.
spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari marine cuisine
LRS fish frenzy
Small Plankton
Mysis shrimp

 

[helwrj28]

Not seeing HLLE but some imperfections that may be related to nutrition deficiency. I assume youre feeding flake/pellet?

Feed:.
spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari marine cuisine
LRS fish frenzy
Small Plankton
Mysis shrimp

I've been trying to regularly feed everything on the list but small plankton. Trying a variety of frozen and pellet food but the fish seems real finicky.. also soaking with selcon. Appreciate the help and suggestions

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I used between 2.0 and 2.5 ppm for therapeutic dose, and made sure to ramp up over about a week time. I used the hanna copper instrument to measure.

Here are a couple pictures, sorry hard to get anything accurate/clear right now, but hopefully you can see the discoloration on its face.

I don’t see HLLE either, and damsels don’t get it very often. Could the fish just be losing color? Damsels often do n captivity, especially if they are stressed (like b quarantine).
Jay

 

[helwrj28]

I don’t see HLLE either, and damsels don’t get it very often. Could the fish just be losing color? Damsels often do n captivity, especially if they are stressed (like b quarantine).
Jay

Thanks for the input, definitely see how it could be stressed.. what do you recommend about it not eating? Should I worry... I don't really see it going after food but I do see it pecking in the water column..

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the input, definitely see how it could be stressed.. what do you recommend about it not eating? Should I worry... I don't really see it going after food but I do see it pecking in the water column..

Oh, is it not eating at all? I just figured "decreased appetite" was from it just not being hungry, not eating anything is anorexia, and that is serious if seen in a damselfish.

Here is an article I wrote about that:

Chronic Anorexia in Aquarium Fishes

Don't fall into the trap of assuming the fish will begin feeding when it gets hungry enough, or conclude it must be eating something, just not when you are watching.

reefs.com

Stressguard won't help with this, it isn't really a true medication.

Is this the only fish in the tank?

Jay

 

[stovenut]

From my experience the azure is stressed and has nowhere in your QT to feel safe. Add hiding places (PVC pipes, seashells, etc) and reduce medications to help him adjust to the aquarium. His appetite will return when he gets more comfortable.

 

[helwrj28]

Oh, is it not eating at all? I just figured "decreased appetite" was from it just not being hungry, not eating anything is anorexia, and that is serious if seen in a damselfish.

Here is an article I wrote about that:

Chronic Anorexia in Aquarium Fishes

Don't fall into the trap of assuming the fish will begin feeding when it gets hungry enough, or conclude it must be eating something, just not when you are watching.

reefs.com

Stressguard won't help with this, it isn't really a true medication.

Is this the only fish in the tank?

Jay

Thanks for the help! Only thing it seems to eat are the Hikari S pellets.. nothing frozen really.. is it starting to look thin in your opinion?

I also have a Cardinalfish in the tank with a few pieces of PVC and a divider. It's a 20g tank.

 

[helwrj28]

From my experience the azure is stressed and has nowhere in your QT to feel safe. Add hiding places (PVC pipes, seashells, etc) and reduce medications to help him adjust to the aquarium. His appetite will return when he gets more comfortable.

I have 2 pieces of PVC elbows in there, do you suggest more?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Azures like to feel caved in a bit. More pvc or fake coral is good. They want little caves. Use 1/2" pvc and build a little structure.
You need to get it eating. Try frozen mysis, brine, spirulina enhanced formulas. Most damsels eat like pigs.
Good luck. I love my azures.

 

[helwrj28]

Azures like to feel caved in a bit. More pvc or fake coral is good. They want little caves. Use 1/2" pvc and build a little structure.
You need to get it eating. Try frozen mysis, brine, spirulina enhanced formulas. Most damsels eat like pigs.
Good luck. I love my azures.

Thanks for the suggestion I'll add some more. Any pictures for reference?

 

[DeniseAndy]

I actually did not photograph when I qted my azures and talbots. Basically I made a bunch of twists and turns and right angles with 1/2" pvc leaving ends open. So t's, 90's and pvc pipe.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the help! Only thing it seems to eat are the Hikari S pellets.. nothing frozen really.. is it starting to look thin in your opinion?

I also have a Cardinalfish in the tank with a few pieces of PVC and a divider. It's a 20g tank.

Tough to see, but it doesn't look overly thin to me. Hikari pellets is fine, even as a sole diet, just feed it often, but in small amounts (so no uneaten food pollutes the tank).

jay

 

[helwrj28]

Tough to see, but it doesn't look overly thin to me. Hikari pellets is fine, even as a sole diet, just feed it often, but in small amounts (so no uneaten food pollutes the tank).

jay

Thanks again for the info! Do you have any other food recommendations that I should try? Any freeze dried or other frozen?

 

[helwrj28]

Not seeing HLLE but some imperfections that may be related to nutrition deficiency. I assume youre feeding flake/pellet?

Feed:.
spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari marine cuisine
LRS fish frenzy
Small Plankton
Mysis shrimp

What Plankton do you recommend?

 

[LeftyReefer]

Any stringy poop? is this fish active or lethargic too?

If it's just a picky eater, then go ahead and keep trying different food options... but damsels are usually pigs.

If you suspect it might have some internal issues, then maybe dosing metroplex might help??

metro is bitter tasting to fish, so it's hard to get them to eat it, so dosing it directly to the QT tank is usually the easiest method of delivery. I'd try (2) doses, 48 hours apart and see if it seems any better. Unfortunately, with a fish that isn't eating, there isn't a whole lot you can do.

I had a picky eating anthias in QT recently that was hardly eating and had gotten sickly thin. I dosed metro 48 hour apart and it made a big turn around. started eating like a champ and gained weight.

might me worth a shot if it continues to not eat.

 

[helwrj28]

Any stringy poop? is this fish active or lethargic too?

If it's just a picky eater, then go ahead and keep trying different food options... but damsels are usually pigs.

If you suspect it might have some internal issues, then maybe dosing metroplex might help??

metro is bitter tasting to fish, so it's hard to get them to eat it, so dosing it directly to the QT tank is usually the easiest method of delivery. I'd try (2) doses, 48 hours apart and see if it seems any better. Unfortunately, with a fish that isn't eating, there isn't a whole lot you can do.

I had a picky eating anthias in QT recently that was hardly eating and had gotten sickly thin. I dosed metro 48 hour apart and it made a big turn around. started eating like a champ and gained weight.

might me worth a shot if it continues to not eat.

Thanks for the suggestion, as part of my QT, I did 30 days of Metro and copper, and then 2 doses of prazipro.

I'l think I'll try the suggestion with more PVC for hiding spots and different food options-- however not sure what else to try!

 

[helwrj28]

So the fish is doing better and eating a little bit, and after discussing with LFS recommended putting in the display tank. Seems to be adjusting but have seen a little aggression with the 2 residual clowns and now in the blue light I see part of its tail fin is missing (see pictures below, it's part of the upper/dorsal section that you can see is missing a chunk).. compared to the first pictures that I posted from before this looks new. Anything I should worry about? How long does it typically take to regrow?