Leopard wrasse stopped eating

Weeb · Jan 6, 2023

Nickolas said:
Video
Here is that video, PLEASE LOWER VOLUME first, my parrot decided to scream at the worst time, this is after I moved him into a hospital tank, which i honestly regret because he looks worse than he did literally the night before

The fish looks quite 'ragged' around the edges. Is the water cloudy in the QT?

Jay Hemdal · Jan 7, 2023

Nickolas said:
Yes this video was taken yesterday which had already been day 5 of no eating, I was sure I would be able to get him eating again and this was just some sort of strike. I did notice last night before I pulled him that my clown had taken a nip at his tail, so i guess we know that there is an aggressor now. All other fish show no signs of illness *knock on wood*. These have been together for several months so Im not sure why the sudden turn. Is there any hope after the fish has not eaten for this long? I remember reading that at some point they use their liver for energy and after that its pretty much a sentence.

I would also like to take this chance to thank you all for your help and well wishes.

Fish (even smaller ones) can usually go 2 weeks without food, sometimes longer. The issue that I mentioned about the fish using their liver as food comes after they have used muscle mass - so those fish will look really skinny behind the head and in the belly.

Although the clownfish did nip its tail, I'm less inclined to think that aggression was the primary cause of this as I first thought. It could be a contributing factor though.

It's possible that the fish didn't survive the night - but I think you need to consider that it is a bacterial infection of some sort and treat with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic. Trouble is antibiotics take 3-5 days to really work (if this is even the issue) and the fish likely doesn't have that long. I tell you this just to be realistic.

Jay

Nickolas · Jan 9, 2023

Weeb said:
The fish looks quite 'ragged' around the edges. Is the water cloudy in the QT?

Yea the water was a bit cloudy since I had added sand just before moving him, the tank itself was also not finished cycling :/

Nickolas · Jan 9, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
Fish (even smaller ones) can usually go 2 weeks without food, sometimes longer. The issue that I mentioned about the fish using their liver as food comes after they have used muscle mass - so those fish will look really skinny behind the head and in the belly.

Although the clownfish did nip its tail, I'm less inclined to think that aggression was the primary cause of this as I first thought. It could be a contributing factor though.

It's possible that the fish didn't survive the night - but I think you need to consider that it is a bacterial infection of some sort and treat with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic. Trouble is antibiotics take 3-5 days to really work (if this is even the issue) and the fish likely doesn't have that long. I tell you this just to be realistic.

Jay

Hey Jay, thanks for the honesty, Im about to post another video of his condition. His eyes do not look as cloudy anymore but he seems to have no control over his swim bladder (from my understanding) as his midsection is always lifted in a C shape if he is not tucked underneath a rock. Breathing is still heavily labored and at this point I dont know if I should euthanize him or if he has the ability to pull through.

I read your report regarding tube feeding, and am weighing the possibility of trying it out or if it would be too stressful in its current condition. If i should just keep waiting and seeing as you said they can last up to 2 weeks without eating.. He looks incredibly pinched. Was also wondering for future reference, im assuming you figured the Butterfly ray's stomach had ruptured from a post mortem examination?

Nickolas · Jan 9, 2023

*MUTE OR LOWER VOLUME*

Here is that update link video, sorry I chose drive this time due to youtube automatically making the video a short and greatly reducing the quality.

Jay Hemdal · Jan 9, 2023

Nickolas said:
Hey Jay, thanks for the honesty, Im about to post another video of his condition. His eyes do not look as cloudy anymore but he seems to have no control over his swim bladder (from my understanding) as his midsection is always lifted in a C shape if he is not tucked underneath a rock. Breathing is still heavily labored and at this point I dont know if I should euthanize him or if he has the ability to pull through.

I read your report regarding tube feeding, and am weighing the possibility of trying it out or if it would be too stressful in its current condition. If i should just keep waiting and seeing as you said they can last up to 2 weeks without eating.. He looks incredibly pinched. Was also wondering for future reference, im assuming you figured the Butterfly ray's stomach had ruptured from a post mortem examination?

I have tube fed fish this small, but rarely. Yes, when the butterfly ray died, we saw blood in the stomach.

I'm worried that the lack of feeding isn't the primary issue, just secondary to whatever is going on, and that the rapid breathing is the more serious symptom. Have you begun any treatments?

Jay

Nickolas · Jan 9, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
I have tube fed fish this small, but rarely. Yes, when the butterfly ray died, we saw blood in the stomach.

I'm worried that the lack of feeding isn't the primary issue, just secondary to whatever is going on, and that the rapid breathing is the more serious symptom. Have you begun any treatments?

Jay

Yes I have, the day I posted I used Kanaplex, coming up on the 3rd dose today. Someone else here advised maracyn 2 which i purchased but hasnt arrived yet. Would amox or em erythromycin help? I also have nitrofurazone