Heniochus not eating

[Keywest99]

I've had a Heniochus butterfly for about 5 months now. he used to eat like a pig but now shows no interest in food, and I've tried them all. I also lost a Lemon Peel Angel 3 weeks ago. He stopped eating and died about 6 days later. My water parameters are good. NH3/4=0, Nitrites =0, Nitrates=15, PH=8.1, Temp=78.1 and SG=1.023. It's a 110 Gal tank, with plenty of live rock. Up and running for 14 months. No obvious signs of disease on any fish including the lemon peel and the Heniochus. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Jeffcb]

Hunger strike? Hmm.. Bump it for you.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I've had a Heniochus butterfly for about 5 months now. he used to eat like a pig but now shows no interest in food, and I've tried them all. I also lost a Lemon Peel Angel 3 weeks ago. He stopped eating and died about 6 days later. My water parameters are good. NH3/4=0, Nitrites =0, Nitrates=15, PH=8.1, Temp=78.1 and SG=1.023. It's a 110 Gal tank, with plenty of live rock. Up and running for 14 months. No obvious signs of disease on any fish including the lemon peel and the Heniochus. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

There are a few lesser known diseases that will cause a fish to stop eating and not show ANY other symptoms. However, it rarely happens to multiple fish. Without a secondary symptom, I can't tell you what it might be.

What other fish are in the tank with the heni?
Can you post a short video?\\

Here is an article on anorexia in fish that I wrote:

Chronic Anorexia in Aquarium Fishes

Don't fall into the trap of assuming the fish will begin feeding when it gets hungry enough, or conclude it must be eating something, just not when you are watching.

reefs.com

Jay

 

[Keywest99]

Other fish are Pakistani angel, bi-color blenny, maroon clown, 3 green chromis, valentini puffer, tellow watchman goby, hermits crabs and two emerald crabs. No aggression in the tank.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Other fish are Pakistani angel, bi-color blenny, maroon clown, 3 green chromis, valentini puffer, tellow watchman goby, hermits crabs and two emerald crabs. No aggression in the tank.

The Pakistani butterfly is in the same family as the heni, so if there was an infectious external problem like flukes, I’d think both would be affected.
No rapid breathing? Without a second symptom there just isn’t anything to go on.
Jay

 

[Keywest99]

The Pakistani butterfly is in the same family as the heni, so if there was an infectious external problem like flukes, I’d think both would be affected.
No rapid breathing? Without a second symptom there just isn’t anything to go on.
Jay

The Paikstani is eating very well.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The Paikstani is eating very well.

Well, in the absence of any other symptoms, the only thing I can suggest is to try a 5 minute FW dip and see if that offers any relief. I doubt that will help, but it is the easiest thing to do. If it doesn't work, then at least you've ruled out external parasites.....

Jay

 

[Keywest99]

Well, in the absence of any other symptoms, the only thing I can suggest is to try a 5 minute FW dip and see if that offers any relief. I doubt that will help, but it is the easiest thing to do. If it doesn't work, then at least you've ruled out external parasites.....

Jay

Thanks Jay I appreciate the help. Will try FW dip, I figure I've got nothing to lose.