Issues with Foxface

[BanjoBandito]

I’m having issues with my foxface. His eyes are very glassy and his coloration is bad. He is eating. I’m unsure as how to proceed?

my other fish aren’t acting like this or showing any signs of stress.

nitrates around 9, phos is around .08 salinity is 1.026 if any of it matters.

 

[fishguy242]

breathing rate ? a short video will help.
#fishmedic

 

[BanjoBandito]

Here’s a short video from when he’s not hiding

 

[BanjoBandito]

 

[BanjoBandito]

Apparently I can’t post a video. I absolutely despise technology. Let me try and email it to myself.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Apparently I can’t post a video. I absolutely despise technology. Let me try and email it to myself.

Your video came through. The only thing I see out of the ordinary is a mark on rare that MAY, and may be bacterial. Eating is good - What foods are you feeding ?
A suggestion of air stone is good. Assure no water quality issue such as elevated Ammonia and nitrate.
Eyes on rabbits can look glassy.
If bacterial- I suggest in a seperate setting, treatment with seachem Kanaplex or maracyn 2. As these guys startle easy, may be a scrape or nick

 

[Nate Chalk]

Mine goes camo all the time if it’s not grazing or with the pack

 

[BanjoBandito]

OK, got it. His behavior is kinda off and his colors don't seem right from my historical knowledge with interacting with him. I know they have glassy looking eyes, but again...maybe I'm paranoid...wait I'm super paranoid about everything...but in regards to this particular guy, he is eating and breathing normally but seems behaviorally off and coloration isn't as vibrant as normal. Please watch and let me know what you think. I'm going to watch him pretty closely through the weekend...

 

[vetteguy53081]

OK, got it. His behavior is kinda off and his colors don't seem right from my historical knowledge with interacting with him. I know they have glassy looking eyes, but again...maybe I'm paranoid...wait I'm super paranoid about everything...but in regards to this particular guy, he is eating and breathing normally but seems behaviorally off and coloration isn't as vibrant as normal. Please watch and let me know what you think. I'm going to watch him pretty closely through the weekend...

Yes breathing looked good in video and they do get instant spots when nervous

 

[BanjoBandito]

Mine goes camo all the time if it’s not grazing or with the pack

his "pack" buddy is my tomini tang, there appears to be no apparent breakup with the tang constantly "checking in" on him while he's hiding.

Your video came through. The only thing I see out of the ordinary is a mark on rare that MAY, and may be bacterial. Eating is good - What foods are you feeding ?
A suggestion of air stone is good. Assure no water quality issue such as elevated Ammonia and nitrate.
Eyes on rabbits can look glassy.
If bacterial- I suggest in a seperate setting, treatment with seachem Kanaplex or maracyn 2. As these guys startle easy, may be a scrape or nick

This is my concern. To me his back tail fin looks a lil' fudged. I'm concerned he got startled and got damage somewhere and is starting to show some effects. I need to replace a powerhead (noisy) and do some busy work in the tank but I don't want to mess with him. He's mainly been eating GHA and will occasionally eat some seaweed I put in.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Here’s a short video from when he’s not hiding

When I see a fish with glassy eyes that isn't breathing hard and is still eating, I immediately think Neobenedenia flukes. A five minute FW dip will help diagnose that - look in the bottom of the container after the dip. If you see little gray sesame seed or scale shaped things, those are Neo flukes. You would then need to treat the tank with Prazipro. A low salinity treatment works better, but obviously you can't do that if you have invertebrates in the tank.

Remember - foxface have venomous spines so don't get stung!

Jay

 

[BanjoBandito]

When I see a fish with glassy eyes that isn't breathing hard and is still eating, I immediately think Neobenedenia flukes. A five minute FW dip will help diagnose that - look in the bottom of the container after the dip. If you see little gray sesame seed or scale shaped things, those are Neo flukes. You would then need to treat the tank with Prazipro. A low salinity treatment works better, but obviously you can't do that if you have invertebrates in the tank.

Remember - foxface have venomous spines so don't get stung!

Jay

I'm going to watch him here and if he's still acting funny I will do a FW dip after the weekend. Is there anything visibly I should be watching for to confirm or deny the flukes? Or is the FW dip precautionary?

 

[vetteguy53081]

his "pack" buddy is my tomini tang, there appears to be no apparent breakup with the tang constantly "checking in" on him while he's hiding.

This is my concern. To me his back tail fin looks a lil' fudged. I'm concerned he got startled and got damage somewhere and is starting to show some effects. I need to replace a powerhead (noisy) and do some busy work in the tank but I don't want to mess with him. He's mainly been eating GHA and will occasionally eat some seaweed I put in.

On powerhead- pull impeller and assure no debris in the shaft housing and that magnet not all scratched up.
For foods, consider adding:
Spirulina brine sherimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton
LRS Herbivore diet

If that spot worsens- do start treatment as previously mentioned

 

[BanjoBandito]

On powerhead- pull impeller and assure no debris in the shaft housing and that magnet not all scratched up.
For foods, consider adding:
Spirulina brine sherimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton
LRS Herbivore diet

If that spot worsens- do start treatment as previously mentioned

it's a reefbreeders RPM. Apparently it's a known issue. They sent me a complete assembly for the powerhead portion I just need to switch em' out. I had already replaced the impeller.

I'll check out the food suggestions, I already feed LRS frenzy and mysis to the rest of the tank.

I have a 29 gallon I can use as a hospital tank so I feel somewhat prepared if he does go south and it's not me being paranoid.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I'm going to watch him here and if he's still acting funny I will do a FW dip after the weekend. Is there anything visibly I should be watching for to confirm or deny the flukes? Or is the FW dip precautionary?

The FW dip is a diagnostic tool, it won't cure the flukes. The visual gross symptoms of Neobenedenia are cloudy eyes, tattered fins, change in skin color. So - with this fish, I think its symptoms are enough to warrant a FW dip to confirm Neobenedenia.

Tap water is actually best for FW dips. RODI has gas exchange problems and poor buffering. You can add buffer, but then you have to check the pH etc. In 90% of the US, dechlorinated tap water, taken out of the tap at the correct temperature is the best choice - fast, easy, clean, low CO2 and no bacteria.

Keep the fish covered during the dip, and watch those spines!


Jay

 

[BanjoBandito]

The FW dip is a diagnostic tool, it won't cure the flukes. The visual gross symptoms of Neobenedenia are cloudy eyes, tattered fins, change in skin color. So - with this fish, I think its symptoms are enough to warrant a FW dip to confirm Neobenedenia.

Tap water is actually best for FW dips. RODI has gas exchange problems and poor buffering. You can add buffer, but then you have to check the pH etc. In 90% of the US, dechlorinated tap water, taken out of the tap at the correct temperature is the best choice - fast, easy, clean, low CO2 and no bacteria.

Keep the fish covered during the dip, and watch those spines!


Jay

Thank you Jay! Appreciate it. Will keep yinz posted.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm going to watch him here and if he's still acting funny I will do a FW dip after the weekend. Is there anything visibly I should be watching for to confirm or deny the flukes? Or is the FW dip precautionary?

Better safe than sorry. I would do that 5 minute dip recommendation from jay to prevent an occurring issue. I know the thought of having to catch it but will be worth it

 

[BanjoBandito]

Better safe than sorry. I would do that 5 minute dip recommendation from jay to prevent an occurring issue. I know the thought of having to catch it but will be worth it

Yeah I just don’t have time today, I’ve been moving stuff around the house for my 3 year olds room so I’m going to carve out some time in the AM to do it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yeah I just don’t have time today, I’ve been moving stuff around the house for my 3 year olds room so I’m going to carve out some time in the AM to do it.

That'll work

 

[BanjoBandito]

That'll work

Dipped. No visible signs of parasites. Going to watch for any signs of infection or similar issues. I think I’m just paranoid.