Diamond goby not sand sifting

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

vtecintegra said:
Sand looks kind of coarse, but moreso, looks completely nasty. I would be more surprised if it did sift that sand, than not. Barring that it doesn't have a disease and is not sick, I would siphon out that sand and put in some new sand that's of a good grain size for him. PO4 and NO3 look out of of whack with all of that stuff growing on the rock. Things don't look that healthy overall.

Few months back I went on vacation and had a auto feeder feeding for about a week and definitely over fed but the last couple of months the only thing I have that is low is my alk. (6.9) all of my corals are very happy looking though. The only thing I know is bad is the sand bed and rock with cyano and dino. Reason I haven’t touch it was bc I heard it will eventually go away.

davidcalgary29 · Dec 27, 2021

I think you should transfer the goby to a hospital tank where you can spot-feed it and possibly begin treatments. If you post a short video, @Jay Hemdal may be able to diagnose the problem, which may well be flukes. Gobies should be fat, glaring at you with anger, and possibly plotting world domination, instead of sitting listlessly at the bottom.

I haven't had a problem with sand-sifting gobies being unable to sift "special grade" sand or crushed coral, for that matter. My golden head goby enjoys picking up larger pieces and tumbles them in its mouth, and then spits them out. It then goes back to its regular job, trailing sand behind it like a chain smoker.

Keep in mind that these gobies need to be fed frequently. Once a day just isn't enough.

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

davidcalgary29 said:
I think you should transfer the goby to a hospital tank where you can spot-feed it and possibly begin treatments. If you post a short video, @Jay Hemdal may be able to diagnose the problem, which may well be flukes. Gobies should be fat, glaring at you with anger, and possibly plotting world domination, instead of sitting listlessly at the bottom.

I haven't had a problem with sand-sifting gobies being unable to sift "special grade" sand or crushed coral, for that matter. My golden head goby enjoys picking up larger pieces and tumbles them in its mouth, and then spits them out. It then goes back to its regular job, trailing sand behind it like a chain smoker.

Keep in mind that these gobies need to be fed frequently. Once a day just isn't enough.

What medication would you recommend me starting him on?

davidcalgary29 · Dec 27, 2021

juniorgomez708 said:
What medication would you recommend me starting him on?

It's best that Jay, or someone familiar with American medications, answer that question. We're limited to freshwater dips and copper in Canada, and there are possibly better alternatives than that for you.

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

davidcalgary29 said:
It's best that Jay, or someone familiar with American medications, answer that question. We're limited to freshwater dips and copper in Canada, and there are possibly better alternatives than that for you.

I use copper for ick but not sure if I should use that for bacteria

davidcalgary29 · Dec 27, 2021

juniorgomez708 said:
I use copper for ick but not sure if I should use that for bacteria

No, you shouldn't. Copper treats ectoparasites, and not bacterial infection.

moz71 · Dec 27, 2021

I would do a freshwater dip for 5 minutes and if see like small sesame seeds in bath you know you have flukes and treat with prazipro. If do not confirm flukes I would dose quarantine tank with seachem kanaplex.

moz71 · Dec 27, 2021

Both prazipro and kanaplex are very easy going on fish just put air stone in as both can reduce oxygen. Kanaplex works great for me as it is easily absorbed though skin and gills if it is bacterial

davidcalgary29 · Dec 27, 2021

moz71 said:
I would do a freshwater dip for 5 minutes and if see like small sesame seeds in bath you know you have flukes and treat with prazipro. If do not confirm flukes I would dose quarantine tank with seachem kanaplex.

I believe that neobenedenia are the only flukes large enough to see with the eye, though. And a freshwater dip won't kill flukes in the gills, so you have to be wary of that, and combine it with other treatments.

moz71 · Dec 27, 2021

davidcalgary29 said:
I believe that neobenedenia are the only flukes large enough to see with the eye, though. And a freshwater dip won't kill flukes in the gills, so you have to be wary of that, and combine it with other treatments.

I agree but the flukes you mention are the ones that attach to the eyes so would be a positive confirmation. Have to start somewhere!!

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

moz71 said:
Both prazipro and kanaplex are very easy going on fish just put air stone in as both can reduce oxygen. Kanaplex works great for me as it is easily absorbed though skin and gills if it is bacterial

I will try kanaplex. I have a airstone currently in the QT tank. Do you think the goby will gain eye sight again?

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

moz71 said:
I agree but the flukes you mention are the ones that attach to the eyes so would be a positive confirmation. Have to start somewhere!!

After doing some reading on flukes, I believe that is what the goby might have since both the eyes became foggy, lost of appetite (not sifting sand) and is hiding in corner of the tank. Luckily he is still eating! I ended up going with Prazipro. Hoping I see improvements in a few days

Jay Hemdal · Dec 27, 2021

juniorgomez708 said:
I use copper for ick but not sure if I should use that for bacteria

Can you post a short video? I’d like to see the gobies respiration rate and get a better look at its eyes.
Jay

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
Can you post a short video? I’d like to see the gobies respiration rate and get a better look at its eyes.
Jay

Jay Hemdal · Dec 27, 2021

I can't be certain, but the cloudy eyes and sort of fast breathing with "coughing" makes me think flukes. Prazipro is the way I would go. Be sure to use good aeration, and do a 25% water change an redose after 8 days.

Jay

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
I can't be certain, but the cloudy eyes and sort of fast breathing with "coughing" makes me think flukes. Prazipro is the way I would go. Be sure to use good aeration, and do a 25% water change an redose after 8 days.

Jay

On it! Do you know if he will gain his sight back? & how long should I do the treatment for?

Jay Hemdal · Dec 27, 2021

juniorgomez708 said:
On it! Do you know if he will gain his sight back? & how long should I do the treatment for?

If it is flukes, the eyesight won't be permanently lost. The treatment is one dose, and then 7 days later, change 25% of the water and dose again. Be sure to remove the collection cup from any skimmer, but keep the skimming bubbling. Most people add an extra air stone to the tank as well.

jay

juniorgomez708 · Dec 27, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
If it is flukes, the eyesight won't be permanently lost. The treatment is one dose, and then 7 days later, change 25% of the water and dose again. Be sure to remove the collection cup from any skimmer, but keep the skimming bubbling. Most people add an extra air stone to the tank as well.

jay

I don’t have a skimmer in my qt, just the airstone. But I will have to water change the tank after a few days due to nitrates