Blue spot jawfish - HELP

Funwithreefer · Mar 13, 2020

Had this guy in QT for a couple weeks now. Been eating fine and normal activity. QT seems to be cycled. Have an ammonia badge that is showing yellow. A little while ago he starts swimming at the top frantically like he’s gasping for air and swimming around like a madman. Any idea what’s going on or what I should do? I haven’t treated the QT tank at all but I have some cupramine. Help!!

Triggreef · Mar 13, 2020

Sounds like theres probably ammonia then. Change 50% and go from there. Try a test for ammonia separate from the badge as those often don't work well.

Funwithreefer · Mar 13, 2020

Triggreef said:
Sounds like theres probably ammonia then. Change 50% and go from there. Try a test for ammonia separate from the badge as those often don't work well.

I actually did about a 50 percent water change earlier today. He started doing it after that. But I just did about another 25 percent and he seems to have calmed down. My API ammonia test always registers high but the badge is yellow. I also have a Lubbock wrasse in the same tank and he is perfectly fine.

Big G · Mar 14, 2020

Always had good experience with the Seachem Ammonia Alert Badges. Was it a new one?
Best way to view the color of the badge is to shine a light from behind the badge.
Do you have a powerhead in the QT aimed up at the surface so it is actively rippling the water's surface? It's the best way to add O2 to the water column.
Might want to consider giving the fish a freshwater dip to check for flukes that may be infesting the fish's gills.

Triggreef · Mar 14, 2020

I had assumed you have an airstone for o2 as well. Is that the case?

Is there hiding spots in the tank? Could just be nerves with that type of fish.

Funwithreefer · Mar 14, 2020

Triggreef said:
I had assumed you have an airstone for o2 as well. Is that the case?

Is there hiding spots in the tank? Could just be nerves with that type of fish.

I have a sponge filter so it’s pushing bubbles up to the surface. Also have a pvc pipe and a piece of live rock. He’s doing better now. The tank appears to be mid cycle and while I wasn’t showing any ammonia, I tested later and I did have nitrites. That may have been the issue. Started using some Prime.

Funwithreefer · Mar 14, 2020

Big G said:
Always had good experience with the Seachem Ammonia Alert Badges. Was it a new one?
Best way to view the color of the badge is to shine a light from behind the badge.
Do you have a powerhead in the QT aimed up at the surface so it is actively rippling the water's surface? It's the best way to add O2 to the water column.
Might want to consider giving the fish a freshwater dip to check for flukes that may be infesting the fish's gills.

No power head but I do have a sponge filter that’s pushing bubbles to the surface. While I wasn’t showing any ammonia, I did test later and I had pretty high nitrites. I did another water change and put some Prime in there. Appears the tank is mid-cycle.

bar|none · Mar 14, 2020

That behaviour is very normal for a bluespotted jawfish in perfect condition in a DT. Mine does that every evening. Shoots to the top, opens mouth, shoots back down again or cruises super fast across the tank back and forth. I would try to keep a lower temperature as well. I've got my DT at 77 now just because of my bluespotted. It mine awhile to start that behaviour. I think he is just more comfortable and feeling safe that he has no problem leaving the burrow.

EDIT: I sure hope you have a cover on that DT. Notorius jumpers.

Funwithreefer · Mar 14, 2020

bar|none said:
That behaviour is very normal for a bluespotted jawfish in perfect condition in a DT. Mine does that every evening. Shoots to the top, opens mouth, shoots back down again or cruises super fast across the tank back and forth. I would try to keep a lower temperature as well. I've got my DT at 77 now just because of my bluespotted. It mine awhile to start that behaviour. I think he is just more comfortable and feeling safe that he has no problem leaving the burrow.

EDIT: I sure hope you have a cover on that DT. Notorius jumpers.

That’s what they told me at the LFS too. Although he did seem like he was in distress. More like gasping. But i think the QT tank is mid-cycle because i tested the water and even though no ammonia, the nitrites were pretty high. Did water change and added some Prime.

He’s definitely more comfortable. I can actually hand feed him krill, which he just loves! Right now I do have the QT at 77. I do have a top on and all holes covered.