Filefish

[Pistondog]

Odd ducks, normal behaviors for mine
He likes to hang near the phead.
How do we know when they're off?

 

[JumboShrimp]

My thinking lines up with the majority. Fortunately for me, the guy at my LFS told me those odd-angled 'nose into the rock' poses were normal-- or I probably would have freaked out. The only part that concerns me is, if in fact that particular fish is too weak via-a-vis the filter intake.

 

[Pistondog]

My thinking lines up with the majority. Fortunately for me, the guy at my LFS told me those odd-angled 'nose into the rock' poses were normal-- or I probably would have freaked out. The only part that concerns me is, if in fact that particular fish is too weak via-a-vis the filter intake.

The filter intake is not that strong, unless the fish is dead.
I think filefish like to find some water movement, maybe to get water moving over their gills?

 

[fishguy242]

keep us posted

 

[Jon Schuch]

In place of an air stone, your HOB filter overflow will probably break the water surface enough in your DT for you to pull out that small powerhead for a few days, and use it to break the water surface in the hospital tank.

Wish I had a hospital tank but I don't and he just getting worse. Crabs want to attack him now. I checked all my parameters and they are spot on. 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and 0 Nitrate 8.0 to 8.2 PH. Temp is 77. Is this common for a fish to not making due to shipping and stress? I did everything by the book. Turned of lights and acclimated him slowly before releasing.

 

[Jon Schuch]

The filter intake is not that strong, unless the fish is dead.
I think filefish like to find some water movement, maybe to get water moving over their gills?

His gills are moving fine. I wish I had a pump and airstone but I just don't have anything I can put him in to help him out

 

[fishguy242]

sorry to hear, yes it is pretty common,they are picky eaters ,starved before shipping"for their own good in transit" but not uncommon for files,make sure see eating before buying,also not a bad idea to set up a sm qt tank for him ,or future ,a 5$ fish can become sick and infect entire tank ,do not think case w this one ,he just seems weak

 

[fishguy242]

do you have a walmart close by that is open?

 

[Pistondog]

His gills are moving fine. I wish I had a pump and airstone but I just don't have anything I can put him in to help him out

Didn't mean to imply he was in distress, just lazy.
He's fine.

 

[Jon Schuch]

I have him quarantined up by the protein skimmer outlet but its not looking promising. I guess I will definitely need to set up a small quarantine tank for the future perhaps.

 

[Jon Schuch]

what are you trying to feed him? Mine refused pellets for a good long time until he learned from the other fish pellets are food. He prefers frozen food

I just tried to feed him the sample food they sent.

 

[fishguy242]

is he upright or laying on side?

 

[Jon Schuch]

keep us posted

Well he didn't make it. I really had no reason to believe he would. Bluezoo is giving me credit for him however. My question is should I order another from them or is there a better source? Its going to take 5 to 7 days to process the credit and then however long to get another. I wanted something in there besides peppermint shrimp taking care of the Aiptasia I received on the live rock from Live Rock N Reef...lol

 

[fishguy242]

yes i would ,hopefully they will send you one in much better condition,considering loss

 

[K7BMG]

Bummer.
Curious as to how long was the fish in transit?
From door to door that is.
You say you took a while to acclimate, what is a while?
Did you drip or dump cups of water in the bag or container?
What was the salinity of the water in the bag vs your tank?
Did you add any water from the bag into the DT?
Better yet, can you explain how you did the process from bag to DT.

Sometimes it is best to float the bag unopened for an hour to match temp, then just drop him in the tank.

 

[Jon Schuch]

Bummer.
Curious as to how long was the fish in transit?
From door to door that is.
You say you took a while to acclimate, what is a while?
Did you drip or dump cups of water in the bag or container?
What was the salinity of the water in the bag vs your tank?
Did you add any water from the bag into the DT?
Better yet, can you explain how you did the process from bag to DT.

Sometimes it is best to float the bag unopened for an hour to match temp, then just drop him in the tank.

He was shipped overnight. I believe left on Friday at say 5pm I think and arrived at my house Saturday morning at 10:30. I let him float for at least an hour and a half and then dumped a half cup of tank water every 10 min for 30 min. I do not know the salinity of the water in the bag but mine was 1.025. No water from the bag went into the tank. He did absolutely fine for i would say 36 hours which is when he started acting up, swimming sideways and staying in the corner on the bottom until finally letting the filter intake suck him up etc etc

 

[K7BMG]

Bummer. Sorry you lost him.
Sounds like you did your part.

 

[najer]

That was always a weak fish looking at the video, sorry you lost it.
Get a few foods in ready for another try, frozen bloodworm and mysis would be a good start, how bad is your aip problem?