Help! Butterfly fish

[Humblefish]

I was thinking Heniochus from the photo, and since these are mostly collected in shallow water I kinda doubt it's a decompression issue.

However, that's not to say it's impossible that this one specimen was collected in deeper water.

 

[TJFitz1980]

 

[TJFitz1980]

How can I upload a video here?

 

[Humblefish]

How can I upload a video here?

You can link to a youtube video by just copy & pasting the URL.

 

[TJFitz1980]

 

[Humblefish]

He looks really thin to me in your video. Has he been eating? Or he might have an intestinal worm. Notice any stringy white poop coming out of him?

In any case, he appears weak so I would put him in a QT or at least in an acclimation box; so he's not bumping into rocks causing further damage.

 

[TJFitz1980]

He is a pig when he eats. I have a puffer and I feet it clams and it will eat around the puffer and make him wait.

 

[TJFitz1980]

I think I'll go the acclimation route if I can get one from my LFS

 

[TJFitz1980]

I have a qt started but I am nervous about the water issues I could have with it

 

[Humblefish]

I have a qt started but I am nervous about the water issues I could have with it

You shouldn't encounter any ammonia issues for the first 2-3 days. And to be honest, I don't see this fish living that long.

 

[TJFitz1980]

Well...that's not what I wanted to hear...he has been fun to have and always active. I just don't understand what changed in him over night?!

 

[Humblefish]

A wildcard would be to FW dip to check for flukes: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

He does seem to be breathing hard in the video. Only problem is I don't know if he's strong enough to survive the FW dip.

Also, have you tested for ammonia?

 

[TJFitz1980]

Yes ammonia is zero

 

[Humblefish]

Well...that's not what I wanted to hear...he has been fun to have and always active. I just don't understand what changed in him over night?!

Sorry, wish I had better advice to give. But at the moment I can't really tell what might be wrong with him. As you said, he looks fine from all appearances. Other than the erratic swimming and inability to maintain his equilibrium.

If a swim bladder or decompression issue is to blame (and I'm beginning to think that); then there's not much you can do unless you see a gas bubble to vent: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/venting-a-swim-bladder-black-cap-basslet.219954/

 

[TJFitz1980]

I appreciate all you have advised and tried I am at a loss. I won't to try the fresh water dip but again no signs on worms. I don't want to "finish him off". How could it be a swimming bladder issue since I have had him almost 2 months and no issues at all?

 

[TJFitz1980]

Venting isn't an option for me...I'll stab myself

 

[TJFitz1980]

You know...i think I'll try the fresh water dip...to mean it seems like a worm...he looks fine and was eating great...but staying skinny....

 

[Humblefish]

How could it be a swimming bladder issue since I have had him almost 2 months and no issues at all?

It can sometimes takes months for symptoms to appear from that.

 

[TJFitz1980]

Ok well it seems that's my only option.

 

[TJFitz1980]

After I dip him can he go back into the display or does he need to go to a qt...and the worse question...is this going to destroy my entire tank