Blenny in QT not eating please help

[helwrj28]

I have a LMB and Foxface in QT at the moment, it's been about 10 days so far without medication. The Foxface has been eating and acting fine but the blenny I have yet to observe eat and is pretty skittish and hides most of the time. I suspected flukes and dosed prazipro and did first water change and ran some copper. It's day following water change and still same behavior. I added a divider in the tank to rule out any aggression. Does anyone have any advice or food suggestions? So far I have tried mysis, algae blend frozen food, algae pellets, and algae sheets.

 

[ReefStable Verified Sponsor]

Have you tried using a garlic supplement like garlic Xtreme? They help get fish to eat.

 

[Jwise]

Garlic guard is another good garlic additive to the tank sometimes the stress from medications can be enough to make fish not want to eat as well if you haven’t seen any type of parasites in 10 days then you probably don’t have any especially after medication

 

[Jwise]

I would water change and keep good clean water in the tank without medication and see how the fish react after a couple days

 

[helwrj28]

Have you tried using a garlic supplement like garlic Xtreme? They help get fish to eat.

I have garlic guard and I've been regularly using it unfortunately

 

[Jwise]

I have garlic guard and I've been regularly using it unfortunately

Wow that’s crazy my fish can’t resist ot

 

[helwrj28]

Wow that’s crazy my fish can’t resist ot

Yeah it's definitely frustrating! I try to use my syringe to feed near it and it runs away! Otherwise it's hiding in plain sight in a corner or near a piece of PVC. I don't see it flashing or yawning, but it does seem to have quick respiration.

Water registers very little to no ammonia

 

[tbrown]

Unfortunately it seems like Lawnmower Blennies are very hit or miss. They either start eating immediately and have a great appetite or they rarely eat or just pick at food and slowly starve.

Lately I've been wondering if it has something to do with poor collection practices similar to Butterflies and Angels but I have no proof/evidence of anything.

 

[helwrj28]

Unfortunately it seems like Lawnmower Blennies are very hit or miss. They either start eating immediately and have a great appetite or they rarely eat or just pick at food and slowly starve.

Lately I've been wondering if it has something to do with poor collection practices similar to Butterflies and Angels but I have no proof/evidence of anything.

Very unfortunate if that's the case! If it unfortunately succumbs do you have any other blenny recommendations? Unfortunately my previous one was eviscerated by a powerhead...

 

[tbrown]

Very unfortunate if that's the case! If it unfortunately succumbs do you have any other blenny recommendations? Unfortunately my previous one was eviscerated by a powerhead...

I've had 50/50 with Lawnmowers but Starries seem to be a much healthier option. Problem with Starry Blennies that they can become jerks.

 

[Bacon and Eggs]

Mine was very picky in QT but began reluctantly eating some algae extreme pellets there, but not a lot. I only kept him there for 7-10 days. Once he hit the display he was golden. He doesn’t eat anything I feed the other fish, but subsists entirely by picking algae and stuff off the rocks and glass. He is fat and happy, but has no interest in the normal fish foods. He does his own thing. If he appears disease free and you have a suitable DT environment (large enough tank, fairly mature) you might consider the move. However, I believe you had some parasite concerns?

 

[helwrj28]

Mine was very picky in QT but began reluctantly eating some algae extreme pellets there, but not a lot. I only kept him there for 7-10 days. Once he hit the display he was golden. He doesn’t eat anything I feed the other fish, but subsists entirely by picking algae and stuff off the rocks and glass. He is fat and happy, but has no interest in the normal fish foods. He does his own thing. If he appears disease free and you have a suitable DT environment (large enough tank, fairly mature) you might consider the move. However, I believe you had some parasite concerns?

I had some parasite concerns because of it's behavior in general and lack of appetite. I think I can rule out ich or velvet though. I considered it too as I'm sure once it's in the DT it'll be more comfortable but I also don't want to compromise the whole tank in event it is sick.. ugh I just don't know what to do

 

[helwrj28]

How do you think I should proceed? Any other recommendations? Or timeframe before DT?

 

[helwrj28]

Foxface is doing well and eating like a champ but the blenny does not show much interest and will just pick periodically. It is very thin but otherwise seems to be acting fine.. I'm torn if I continue observation for it to turn around, or put in DT in hopes it improves there..