Banggai behaviour concerning (see Video)

[EricL.]

Hello y'all,

so this weekend we rip cleaned our tank. Everything went according to the protocol and I can say that the tank never looked that pristine!

The inhabitants are, so far, only two clownfish, two banggai's and the CuC.
Everyone was doing well in the QT where the waited for us to clean the DT. I tested the tank parameters and everything is okayish (Nitrate 1, NH4 0.01, Nitrite 0, 35psu, pH 8.2, 0.06 Phosphate etc). The QT water had the same parameters as the old DT parameters and the new DT water has the same salinity and Temp.


Since this morning, one of the banggais is acting really concerning. He's swimming in the corners, sometimes "shaking".
I did see the other banggai chasing the concerning one, though.
I cannot see any external signs of a disease, and it would come really rapid imo.

Watch this:

I ordered an acclimation box for him, should arrive tomorrow. Any ideas what I can do right now?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello y'all,

so this weekend we rip cleaned our tank. Everything went according to the protocol and I can say that the tank never looked that pristine!

The inhabitants are, so far, only two clownfish, two banggai's and the CuC.
Everyone was doing well in the QT where the waited for us to clean the DT. I tested the tank parameters and everything is okayish (Nitrate 1, NH4 0.01, Nitrite 0, 35psu, pH 8.2, 0.06 Phosphate etc). The QT water had the same parameters as the old DT parameters and the new DT water has the same salinity and Temp.


Since this morning, one of the banggais is acting really concerning. He's swimming in the corners, sometimes "shaking".
I did see the other banggai chasing the concerning one, though.
I cannot see any external signs of a disease, and it would come really rapid imo.

Watch this:

I ordered an acclimation box for him, should arrive tomorrow. Any ideas what I can do right now?

This fish is struggling and somewhat thin. What have you been feeding it?
Additionally, when moved over to the new tank, was it acclimayed or dropped right in ?
The shaling is the start of the fish becomming moribund which it can go either way.
I see no notable signs that indicate a parasitical or bacterial condition other than it looking a little weak.
Is it breathing normally or labored ? (looks normal in video)

 

[EricL.]

This fish is struggling and somewhat thin. What have you been feeding it?
Additionally, when moved over to the new tank, was it acclimayed or dropped right in ?
The shaling is the start of the fish becomming moribund which it can go either way.
I see no notable signs that indicate a parasitical or bacterial condition other than it looking a little weak.
Is it breathing normally or labored ? (looks normal in video)

Thanks for the fast answer!

They get frozen food (mysis, artemia,...) and it has always been eating, though he's always been the smaller of the two banggais.
It is also breathing normally.
The water parameters were identical, so we dropped them in.. huge mistake i guess?

 

[threebuoys]

When I enlarge the video, I see what appears to be a wound on the left side of the fish just above the pectoral fin an in the black vertical band. Do you see that on the fish, or is it my imagination..

I have a couple of banggais and one always swims with a jerky motion. But an injury might indicate something else.

 

[EricL.]

One thing to add: I dosed Fluconazole at 3mg per liter to counter algae regrowth.

 

[EricL.]

When I enlarge the video, I see what appears to be a wound on the left side of the fish just above the pectoral fin an in the black vertical band. Do you see that on the fish, or is it my imagination..

I have a couple of banggais and one always swims with a jerky motion. But an injury might indicate something else.

I don't see a wound on the fish. I think it's a goner, though. he was hanging against the wavemaker right now. Anything I can do?

 

[threebuoys]

Also, how long have you had the cardinals? I've had experiences where a major water change would prompt my pair to spawn. The male would take the eggs in his mouth. In my case the male would either eat or spit the eggs out in a couple of days. Some have successfully raised the fry. The male' jaw will be noticeably extended should this ever occur for you.

 

[EricL.]

Also, how long have you had the cardinals? I've had experiences where a major water change would prompt my pair to spawn. The male would take the eggs in his mouth. In my case the male would either eat or spit the eggs out in a couple of days. Some have successfully raised the fry. The male' jaw will be noticeably extended should this ever occur for you.

I have had the two since 16 months.

 

[threebuoys]

My male has actually laid flat on his side on the sandbed after a mating session. I hope yours survives.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I don't see a wound on the fish. I think it's a goner, though. he was hanging against the wavemaker right now. Anything I can do?

I can't tell for certain, but it also looks like the soft rays of its anal fin are frayed, another sign of damage.

Jay

 

[EricL.]

I can't tell for certain, but it also looks like the soft rays of its anal fin are frayed, another sign of damage.

Jay

Adding some more photos, I hope this shows it clearer:

I have him secured in the net right now, in a position where the net is "open", so he won't come close to the powerheads.

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

poor little fella. Do you have a qt tank? Could help him bounce back. Give him some low flow, no light, and try and isolate him to relieve as much stress as possible. That may be risky, but it really can’t get to much worse for him. Best of luck

 

[EricL.]

poor little fella. Do you have a qt tank? Could help him bounce back. Give him some low flow, no light, and try and isolate him to relieve as much stress as possible. That may be risky, but it really can’t get to much worse for him. Best of luck

The thing is, he was transferred two times this weekend (DT to QT back to DT), i fear the shock alone might kill him right now.
What do you guys think?

 

[threebuoys]

This is the spot I thought might be an injury.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Adding some more photos, I hope this shows it clearer:

I have him secured in the net right now, in a position where the net is "open", so he won't come close to the powerheads.

Yes - the fins are definitely torn, even the caudal fin. I can't say if this is from fighting with another fish, or from the capture damage (which can be substantial if you had to chase the fish around).

Jay

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

The thing is, he was transferred two times this weekend (DT to QT back to DT), i fear the shock alone might kill him right now.
What do you guys think?

I see. Maybe a low flow area of the sump? Not sure what the issue is. I guessing stress, it looks like he is tired from fighting the flow and possibly tank mates. Hope the dude has a full recovery tho.

 

[EricL.]

Thank you all! You seem to be right regarding the injuries.
The capture process was really slow and easy on the fish, I don't think I harmed it. Didn't chase it, waited till it basically swam into the net. (btw, anything better than a net for transferring fish with minmal water exchange?)

How can I help the fish? QT or not? I have the following medication at hand (Sadly, it is very hard to get most meds in germany):

-Fluconazole, plenty
-Praziquantel
-CoralRx
- Povidon-Iodine

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you all! You seem to be right regarding the injuries.
The capture process was really slow and easy on the fish, I don't think I harmed it. Didn't chase it, waited till it basically swam into the net. (btw, anything better than a net for transferring fish with minmal water exchange?)

How can I help the fish? QT or not? I have the following medication at hand (Sadly, it is very hard to get most meds in germany):

-Fluconazole, plenty
-Praziquantel
-CoralRx
- Povidon-Iodine

None of those are antibacterial really. If you think the fish may have been fighting, isolating them would be the first step.

Jay

 

[EricL.]

Hey all, and a big and honest Thank You! for your fast help and support. You guys and girls are an awesome community. Proud to be part of it.

I regret to inform you that the banggai did not make it.
Looking at it post mortem, he indeed had a wound and the fins were torn.

Honestly, I am beyond sad and frustrated. The challenges this hobby throws at us are so dang hard.
I've had so many animals in my life, from sweetwater fish over bearded dragons, chameleons, up to goats and cows. None of them have been so hard to keep.
Our first coral died within 72 hours after arrival, bad luck, was already infected. Then we never managed to get algae/bacteria under control. Tested the water with several ICP's.
Now, after working so hard to rip clean everything, the banggai dies.

Man, i don't know how to proceed with this wonderful, but so so hard hobby. Or are we just having bad luck?

 

[EricL.]

Update:
Got up, shaked off the bad feelings and ordered fish meds from the US to be better prepared for the future, even if it probably wouldn’t have helped the poor banggai. Again, thanks for your help!