Butterflyfish lying on its side

BrewDaddyDave · Mar 30, 2021

I added a yellowtail butterflyfish on 3/4 to my 50 gallon tank. I feed him mysis shrimp twice a day (he will not eat pellets) and he seems to eat well.

I noticed lately that he’ll face downward when hovering above the bottom of the tank. Picture attached. Just now I’ve seen him swim behind a rock and lay on his side. When I went to take a look, he perked up and swam around the tank a few times before returning to the corner. It looks like he’s developing some damage to his skin/scales by laying down.

Help!

Jay Hemdal · Mar 30, 2021

That species is pretty delicate and difficult to acclimate to captivity. Did you medicated it with anything yet? Is it still feeding? Can you post a short video?
Jay

mickeysreef <*))))< · Mar 30, 2021

possibly uronema. too late for him if you already see lesions. butterflys also should not be netted, can cause internal damage

BrewDaddyDave · Mar 31, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
That species is pretty delicate and difficult to acclimate to captivity. Did you medicated it with anything yet? Is it still feeding? Can you post a short video?
Jay

He’s now propped up in the corner of the tank with his fins extended and has no interest in eating.

Jay Hemdal · Mar 31, 2021

BrewDaddyDave said:
He’s now propped up in the corner of the tank with his fins extended and has no interest in eating.

Sorry, that does not look good at all. I could just barely see the damage to the one side. Can’t say if it is Uronema or physical damage, but fish don’t damage themselves that severely, so something else must have happened.
Jay