FIRE FISH LETHARGIC

MCAFEE7 · Aug 20, 2020

I have two fire fish, one is swimming in the current and acting as i would think "normal", (my first salt water tank) the second seems to intermittently lay on the sub straight, not on his side straight up and down looks to be resting. It is a bit smaller than the other, a bit skinnier, it was eating ok and does go after food when put in the tank, although i have not seen him grab a pellet in the last day just swims up to it. fins look good color looks good tank perimeters are ok, im only measuring nitrate (5)and salinity(1.26) and temp (about 77). at this point no coral yet and i do not dose anything. 10% weekly water changes so about 5 gallons for my 40 breeder with 10 gallons in the sump. maybe the temp is too low or i should change food, i feed pellets in the morning and brine shrimp in the evening. i get more attention when i feed the shrimp. or could this be normal behavior for this fish?

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

MCAFEE7 said:
I have two fire fish, one is swimming in the current and acting as i would think "normal", (my first salt water tank) the second seems to intermittently lay on the sub straight, not on his side straight up and down looks to be resting. It is a bit smaller than the other, a bit skinnier, it was eating ok and does go after food when put in the tank, although i have not seen him grab a pellet in the last day just swims up to it. fins look good color looks good tank perimeters are ok, im only measuring nitrate (5)and salinity(1.26) and temp (about 77). at this point no coral yet and i do not dose anything. 10% weekly water changes so about 5 gallons for my 40 breeder with 10 gallons in the sump. maybe the temp is too low or i should change food, i feed pellets in the morning and brine shrimp in the evening. i get more attention when i feed the shrimp. or could this be normal behavior for this fish?

Where did you buy them from? Some places just done have quality fish.

MCAFEE7 · Aug 20, 2020

from TSM aquatics so i am fairly confident of the quality. i also have a dotty back from them, but its only been about 3 months that i have had them.

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

MCAFEE7 said:
from TSM aquatics so i am fairly confident of the quality. i also have a dotty back from them, but its only been about 3 months that i have had them.

Could be a parasite could not. Might have gill burn if ammonia is high. I dunno man

MCAFEE7 · Aug 20, 2020

after 3 months idk about ammonia all fish came at same time, they look great.
noticed a little heavy breathing just now so maybe its just one of those things. i may try General cure with the food but if i cant get it to eat then i don't know. I don't have a hospital tank so i will have to treat whole tank

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

MCAFEE7 said:
after 3 months idk about ammonia all fish came at same time, they look great.
noticed a little heavy breathing just now so maybe its just one of those things. i may try General cure with the food but if i cant get it to eat then i don't know. I don't have a hospital tank so i will have to treat whole tank

Yes just try and lower ammonia. Should work

MCAFEE7 · Aug 20, 2020

thanks Fangs, i just double checked 0 ammonia tank held the cycle. I have been fish keeping over 20 years never salt though the cycle works basically the same. i did administer general cure, cross you fingers for me

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

Send a pic

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

A few preferably different angles and maybe a short vid

Jay Hemdal · Aug 20, 2020

Are there any other fish in with the 2 firefish? How does the smaller ones fins look, any rips? It is more interested in the brine shrimp, but not eating any either?
Jay

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
Your

Are there any other fish in with the 2 firefish? How does the smaller ones fins look, any rips? It is more interested in the brine shrimp, but not eating any either?
Jay

If you notice any bullying tell us

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

Firefish are normally pretty hardy so something is definitely up with the little guy

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

Seems like he might be a lil stressed and just needs some food and tlc. If he seriously deteriorates move him to the sump and monitor him closely. Don’t dose any meds just yet

FangsAndGames · Aug 20, 2020

Add a tiny bit of this if you want to the pellets and mysis

Selcon Vitamin Fish Food Supplement Inc.

Why does BRS recommend this? Selcon is a vitamin and fatty acid booster for marine fish that has proven its value in this hobby. A little Selcon will go a long way by soaking any type of food in it for a few minutes prior to feeding, increasing any foods nutritional value. Selcon is a vitamin...

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