Firefish dying

[slipknotgrrl83]

So it's been a bit over a week of my firefish hiding, he stopped eating yesterday and today he came out of his hole but is pretty much sitting on bottom...not swimming. I think unfortunately he is dying. My next question is, am I able to get another fish or is it too risky with the rest being in the tank for so long (2ish years) it is only a 30 with 10 gallon sump. 2 black percula and 1 coris wrasse. I would love another but I'm a bit worried about bullying...should I just keep the three I have or try getting another?

 

[Brew12]

So it's been a bit over a week of my firefish hiding, he stopped eating yesterday and today he came out of his hole but is pretty much sitting on bottom...not swimming. I think unfortunately he is dying. My next question is, am I able to get another fish or is it too risky with the rest being in the tank for so long (2ish years) it is only a 30 with 10 gallon sump. 2 black percula and 1 coris wrasse. I would love another but I'm a bit worried about bullying...should I just keep the three I have or try getting another?

How long have you had the firefish? Any other symptoms? I only ask because you may not want to introduce a new fish into a tank that could have a disease without getting it treated first.

As for getting another fish because of aggression, @eatbreakfast would be a great one to ask. Let's see what he has to say.

 

[Humblefish]

The firefish sitting on the bottom...

Is he breathing heavy?

Any white dots, red spots or apparent injuries to the fish?

Does he look normal?

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

No heavy breathing, looks normal but not swimming or eating since yesterday

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

How long have you had the firefish? Any other symptoms? I only ask because you may not want to introduce a new fish into a tank that could have a disease without getting it treated first.


As for getting another fish because of aggression, @eatbreakfast would be a great one to ask. Let's see what he has to say.

2 years, all other fish fine. Parameters normal/good

 

[Humblefish]

I remember this firefish inexplicably hiding a lot from your other thread. This is strange.

 

[melypr1985]

I remember this firefish inexplicably hiding a lot from your other thread. This is strange.

I remember that too.

 

[Humblefish]

I remember reading (somewhere) that a firefish's lifespan is only 3 or so years. But I know I had a bunch of Purples live at least 5, possibly 6, back when I did maintenance.

 

[Duke4Life]

These I think are a bit harder to determine age or rough phase of life unlike many other fish.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Yes he was hiding a lot... now appears to be dying, not eating, swimming etc. Just hanging out on substrate. No sign of anything wrong...maybe just old age? He's probably 3 I'm guessing. I have had him 2 years

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Hopefully I can catch a glimpse of him tomorrow. He's in his hidey hole now.

 

[Humblefish]

Yes he was hiding a lot... now appears to be dying, not eating, swimming etc. Just hanging out on substrate. No sign of anything wrong...maybe just old age? He's probably 3 I'm guessing. I have had him 2 years

You've done better than I have lately. My firefish jump out of the tank, get into the overflow, take a waterslide ride down into the sump aka "the dungeon" where all the evil crabs & other undesirables live.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

You've done better than I have lately. My firefish jump out of the tank, get into the overflow, take a waterslide ride down into the sump aka "the dungeon" where all the evil crabs & other undesirables live.

Mine has never attempted to jump that I know of lol

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

So no spots or signs of anything...I'm at a loss other then old age

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

When you were able to see him, did your firefish look gaunt? The reason I ask is that my firefish hides a lot, and I only see him eating every other day or so. If fact, I know his hiding place is near the back middle of the tank, but I have no idea exactly where it is. I have to keep an eye on him through holes in the live rock...otherwise, I would assume he wasn't even in my tank!

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

He isn't breathing heavy, no spots or film on him. He doesn't look gaunt either but hasn't eaten in 2 days and is just gliding along substrate in and out of his cave

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

He normally is in and out through the day. Although more in his cave then out. The thing that bothers me most is the lack of swimming

 

[stevo01]

Try lowering your light intensity. Less white light. I dont know why but when I raised the lighting just slightly the firefish reacted in similar behavior. Brought my light back to where it was before and now the firefish is back to normal behavior. Im talking just about the white light, my blues are 100%.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Try lowering your light intensity. Less white light. I dont know why but when I raised the lighting just slightly the firefish reacted in similar behavior. Brought my light back to where it was before and now the firefish is back to normal behavior. Im talking just about the white light, my blues are 100%.

I will certainly try although my light intensity hasn't changed since I got him..could that cause him to not swimming though?

 

[stevo01]

I will certainly try although my light intensity hasn't changed since I got him..could that cause him to not swimming though?

Sorry nothing else comes to mind atm.