Emergency Spotted Mandarin

thejuice24 · Jun 11, 2018

I just got home from work to find my spotted Mandarin lying limp from the tail down. With a white clear type of mucus. I don’t believe it to be brook but would like an outsides opinion. I have 4 BTA that are rather good size and a hammer coral. First thought is that he got caught up in them. When he swims it look like he is paralyzed from the back fin down to tail. Any help would be appreciated. Is there anything I can do to help him.

Big G · Jun 11, 2018

Spinal injury?
@Humblefish

thejuice24 · Jun 11, 2018

Starting to wonder is it’s brook now

Basicly whole half on the tail is cover in mucus. Kind of hard too see but you see the difference in coloration

thejuice24 · Jun 11, 2018

Humblefish · Jun 11, 2018

Mandarins are tough to diagnose, because they naturally secrete slime as a defense mechanism. Unless one of your other fish are showing symptoms of brook, I think it coming into contact with a BTA or stinging coral is the most likely explanation.

thejuice24 · Jun 12, 2018

He is still alive but hasn’t moved a muscle since I came home. Would Brook give that paralyzed look? I don’t think it does based on no mention of a symptom. What do you think his chance are of pulling through? He was the only fish in my system at the time. All other fish were in QT being prepped for my move into my new DT.

DanielJameS · Sep 8, 2018

thejuice24 said:
He is still alive but hasn’t moved a muscle since I came home. Would Brook give that paralyzed look? I don’t think it does based on no mention of a symptom. What do you think his chance are of pulling through? He was the only fish in my system at the time. All other fish were in QT being prepped for my move into my new DT.

What ever happened with your Mandarin? This JUST happened to me, which led me to this thread. One minute he was swimming around as normal, the next he appeared “paralyzed” on the bottom of the tank??? I’m actually inclined to think @Humblefish suggestion of coral or BTA sting is plausible because there is no other explanation although he was on the opposite side of the tank as my BTA. I’ve had him almost two years and he’s been happy and healthy, pod population is well established and he picks all day long.

I removed him Into a specimen container to observe and he’s been “stuck” this way for going on 40 minutes with his spine extended and breathing super heavy and deep. Totally baffled it was like a flip of a switch. “Stunned” is the word I would use to describe what I’m seeing.