Lawnmower Blenny Issues

[ctopherl]

Lawnmower blenny suddenly does not seem his chipper self. He is laying on his side not getting around so well. About to test water and will update with results here.

I have had him for about a month now with no issues. Is this something people have seen before with a blenny? Seems more like a physical issue than disease/parasite.


Test results so far:

PH-8.2 (salifert)

Temp-76.6, 78 (two thermometers in different places)

Salinity - 1.023sg (Milwaukee refractometer)

nitrates- 10 (salifert)

Alkalinity - 6.7 (Hanna, has always run a bit low, I do not dose anything at this point)

Calcium - 440 (Hanna)

Will update with alk, calcium and phosphates shortly

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Lawnmower blenny suddenly does not seem his chipper self. He is laying on his side not getting around so well. About to test water and will update with results here.

I have had him for about a month now with no issues. Is this something people have seen before with a blenny? Seems more like a physical issue than disease/parasite.

Have never owned blenny srry

 

[Cell]

That does not look good or normal. If he is breathing super heavily, get an airstone or some surface movement in that tank asap.

@Jay Hemdal

 

[ctopherl]

That does not look good or normal. If he is breathing super heavily, get an airstone or some surface movement in that tank asap.

@Jay Hemdal

I have a return pump from sump and power head running 24-7, and 5 other fish currently that seem normal. Will try to use power head to agitate surface more but wouldn’t there be other visible issues if oxygen was the problem?

 

[NJDragonet]

Get results asap and put an air stone in it is either an oxygen issue or an internal parisite

 

[Cell]

If all other fish are perfectly fine and not breathing hard at all, then I would think it's probably not an oxygen issue. You will be asked for a full parameter check and other info, so while you wait for an expert to chime in, try to provide as much background info as possible now. Any new fish added recently? Chemical treaments? Medications?

Does having him "about a month" really mean like 2 or 3 weeks? Or over 4 weeks?

 

[ctopherl]

Get results asap and put an air stone in it is either an oxygen issue or an internal parisite

I don’t have an air stone but I have multiple power heads. If there is risk of a parasite should I remove him from the DT?

 

[ctopherl]

If all other fish are perfectly fine and not breathing hard at all, then I would think it's probably not an oxygen issue. You will be asked for a full parameter check and other info, so while you wait for an expert to chime in, try to provide as much background info as possible now. Any new fish added recently? Chemical treaments? Medications?

Does having him "about a month" really mean like 2 or 3 weeks? Or over 4 weeks?

The last fish added was a flame hawk added 4 days ago. I have seen no aggression from him so far, and in fact he’s been bullied a bit by my royal gramma. It’s possible the hawk is getting more comfortable now though?

 

[NJDragonet]

The last fish added was a flame hawk added 4 days ago. I have seen no aggression from him so far, and in fact he’s been bullied a bit by my royal gramma. It’s possible the hawk is getting more comfortable now though?

Ok if your other fish are fine it is something internal but still get those test results asap

 

[ctopherl]

PH-8.2 (salifert)

Temp-76.6, 78 (two thermometers in different places)

Salinity - 1.023sg (Milwaukee refractometer)

nitrates- 10 (salifert)

Will update with alk, calcium and phosphates shortly

 

[ctopherl]

Ok if your other fish are fine it is something internal but still get those test results asap

Updated with basic test results, working on more obscure ones now.

Chemicals added recently:

* Dispersed some reef roids for corals 2 days ago

* One slightly weaker than recommended dose of vibrant 6 days ago

I only run a basic skimmer and some filter floss in sump-no special media or chemicals.

 

[Miller535]

Has he been eating prepared foods? Many lawnmower blennies will not and need large tanks to provide enough Algae to have food or they starve.

 

[ctopherl]

Has he been eating prepared foods? Many lawnmower blennies will not and need large tanks to provide enough Algae to have food or they starve.

No he has not. The only other algae eaters I have are one emerald crab and 4 astrea snails in a 55g (65g total water volume). I am going through ugly stages with seemingly plenty of algae (including bits of hair algae) and I see him chomping at the rocks frequently but this may still be the issue. I could try running to get him some seaweed or something from LFS? I do have a little chaeto I added to the sump 5 minutes ago (just got back from LFS) I can try feeding him as well.

 

[Miller535]

No he has not. The only other algae eaters I have are one emerald crab and 4 astrea snails in a 55g. I am going through ugly stages with seemingly plenty of algae (including bits of hair algae) and I see him chomping at the rocks frequently but this may still be the issue. I could try running to get him some seaweed or something from LFS? I do have a little chaeto I added to the sump 5 minutes ago (just got back from LFS) I can try feeding him as well.

I am certain that is your issue then. Unfortunately the kind of algae we want them to eat is not always what they want to eat or naturally eat.

 

[ctopherl]

I am certain that is your issue then. Unfortunately the kind of algae we want them to eat is not always what they want to eat or naturally eat.

Will he eat chaeto? I could put him in a separate container with some.

He can’t seem to properly swim though which does not seem like a side effect of not eating enough? He is swimming like he is missing a fin on one side (but he is not).

 

[jpnegrete14]

Will he eat chaeto? I could put him in a separate container with some.

He can’t seem to properly swim though which does not seem like a side effect of not eating enough? He is swimming like he is missing a fin on one side (but he is not).

It’s in indirect cause of not eating. When they don’t eat there immune systems and ability to fight any parasites or disease diminish. Fish that aren’t properly put through a QT regiment AND aren’t eating is a recipe for disaster. And it kind of sounds like that’s what’s happening. Hopefully it’s not too late to get him to eat but that will be key in recovery. Maybe try some algae wafers or algae sheets

 

[Cell]

Get some Hikari Seaweed Extreme pellets.

 

[ctopherl]

Get some Hikari Seaweed Extreme pellets.

Is there a better chance of him eating these if I put him in a separate container/QT?

 

[Miller535]

Will he eat chaeto? I could put him in a separate container with some.

He can’t seem to properly swim though which does not seem like a side effect of not eating enough? He is swimming like he is missing a fin on one side (but he is not).

I don't know. When a fish has starved it doesn't swim properly and ends up laying on the bottom like that. I doubt he will eat chaeto, and I am sorry to say it's probably too late for him.

 

[Miller535]

Is there a better chance of him eating these if I put him in a separate container/QT?

mine will not touch any Nori or dried seaweed