Harlequin Tusk stopped eating

Fishguy1079 · Jun 20, 2023

Hi everyone, so I got this Tusk from Dr reef(quarantined) last week and he's been doing fine and started eating mysis and brine shrimp(and maybe a ghost shrimp or two). But last night I noticed he stopped eating and just hanging out in the same spot. He once again didn't eat tonight, he's just hanging out around the same spot. Anybody have any suggestions or thoughts?
Thanks!

fishguy242 · Jun 20, 2023

Hi, sorry I cannot see video, lets call some help.
@Jay Hemdal #fishmedic

LPS Bum · Jun 20, 2023

Have you ruled out bullying and/or disease?

My Aussie Tusk loves clams on the half shell. I buy little necks from the grocery store, freeze them and serve them to my Tusk, Puffer, Trigger and Angels. Give that a shot.

Fishguy1079 · Jun 20, 2023

LPS Bum said:
Have you ruled out bullying and/or disease?

My Aussie Tusk loves clams on the half shell. I buy little necks from the grocery store, freeze them and serve them to my Tusk, Puffer, Trigger and Angels. Give that a shot.

I don't believe he's being bullied. Not sure about the disease factor, don't see anything on him. Unless it's internal, al though I bought him last week quarantined. I might try the clams on the half shell thing.

frydaddy · Jun 21, 2023

If he’s new to the tank he could be claiming his territory. He could also be snacking on your cleanup crew and any small fish. Mines always picking at the rocks about an hour before lights on and an hour after they turn off when the room is very dimly lit. They also tend to like meatier foods like lrs chunky, rods predator blend, or half shell clams.

Fishguy1079 · Jun 21, 2023

frydaddy said:
If he’s new to the tank he could be claiming his territory. He could also be snacking on your cleanup crew and any small fish. Mines always picking at the rocks about an hour before lights on and an hour after they turn off when the room is very dimly lit. They also tend to like meatier foods like lrs chunky, rods predator blend, or half shell clams.

Thanks for the information.

Jay Hemdal · Jun 21, 2023

From the video, it shies away from the curious puffer, so there could be some aggression going on - the puffer shouldn't be curious of it by now. I would also ensure the tank has good aeration (not just circulation). The water has lots of fine particles floating in it, did you just feed it?

Finally, contact dr. reef for what they think. However, the fish started eating and then stopped. That means the problem is something newly acquired, and didn't come from them, or from shipping.

Jay

Fishguy1079 · Jun 21, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
From the video, it shies away from the curious puffer, so there could be some aggression going on - the puffer shouldn't be curious of it by now. I would also ensure the tank has good aeration (not just circulation). The water has lots of fine particles floating in it, did you just feed it?

Finally, contact dr. reef for what they think. However, the fish started eating and then stopped. That means the problem is something newly acquired, and didn't come from them, or from shipping.

Jay

Hi Jay, yes I had just fed. I also tested the water last night and everything seemed fine( salinity1.021, temp 76, nitrate under 40) with the exception of the PH which was a little low 7.9. I have coppersafe in tank as a preventive but that's been in there the whole time and I don't remember hearing tusks being sensitive to copper anyway. I'll email the guys at Dr reef.
Thanks!

LPS Bum · Jun 21, 2023

chad 1079 said:
Hi Jay, yes I had just fed. I also tested the water last night and everything seemed fine( salinity1.021, temp 76, nitrate under 40) with the exception of the PH which was a little low 7.9. I have coppersafe in tank as a preventive but that's been in there the whole time and I don't remember hearing tusks being sensitive to copper anyway. I'll email the guys at Dr reef.
Thanks!

Copper meds can definitely suppress appetite. Seen it many times. That could be the issue here.

Jay Hemdal · Jun 21, 2023

chad 1079 said:
Hi Jay, yes I had just fed. I also tested the water last night and everything seemed fine( salinity1.021, temp 76, nitrate under 40) with the exception of the PH which was a little low 7.9. I have coppersafe in tank as a preventive but that's been in there the whole time and I don't remember hearing tusks being sensitive to copper anyway. I'll email the guys at Dr reef.
Thanks!

I've run many tuskfish through coppersafe with no issues. The primary problem with them is if you use ionic copper products - citrated copper or Cupramine.

Here is an article I posted on tusks in case you haven't seen it: