Long Nose Hawkfish not eating, now hiding

[Fallguy44]

So my long nose hawkfish stopped eating in the last 3 days, however he remained perched in his favorite spot.

Tonight I went to feed and couldn't find him. Eventually I found him in a dark corner in the back of the tank on top of the sand on the ground.

Any ideas what's going on?

 

[melypr1985]

Any other symptoms to share? Maybe a good clear photo?

examples:
White spots
Dusty/dirty appearance
Breathing heavily
Flashing or scratching
swimming into the flow of a powerhead or return
head twitching
white stringy poop
red/white sores or patches

 

[ChadLo]

So my long nose hawkfish stopped eating in the last 3 days, however he remained perched in his favorite spot.

Tonight I went to feed and couldn't find him. Eventually I found him in a dark corner in the back of the tank on top of the sand on the ground.

Any ideas what's going on?

Is he possibly being picked on causing stress?

 

[Big G]

How long has the hawkfish been in the tank? Has anything "new" been added to the tank that is "wet"(snails, corals, fish, etc.)?

 

[Fallguy44]

Any other symptoms to share? Maybe a good clear photo?

examples:
White spots
Dusty/dirty appearance
Breathing heavily
Flashing or scratching
swimming into the flow of a powerhead or return
head twitching
white stringy poop
red/white sores or patches

None of that.

 

[Fallguy44]

Is he possibly being picked on causing stress?

Never witnessed anything. Only peaceful fish in there. 2 clowns, 2 cardinals, a purple and yellow type of pseudochromis and 2 other peaceful fish I can't think of at the moment but can get pictures.

 

[melypr1985]

a purple and yellow type of pseudochromis

Pseudos are not always peaceful, especially with each other. I've seen them become terrors.

 

[Fallguy44]

How long has the hawkfish been in the tank? Has anything "new" been added to the tank that is "wet"(snails, corals, fish, etc.)?

I bought the tank used and running with no fish. The tank has been up and running at my house for 2 months. He was one of my first fish I purchased.

1 new fish, I will get a picture. And a new leather coral about 2-3 weeks ago.

*edit - New fish is a fathead anthias

 

[ChadLo]

Never witnessed anything. Only peaceful fish in there. 2 clowns, 2 cardinals, a purple and yellow type of pseudochromis and 2 other peaceful fish I can't think of at the moment but can get pictures.

Not even eating brine? Did you have any peppermint or any other type of live shrimp in there he may have eaten?

 

[ChadLo]

So my long nose hawkfish stopped eating in the last 3 days, however he remained perched in his favorite spot.

Tonight I went to feed and couldn't find him. Eventually I found him in a dark corner in the back of the tank on top of the sand on the ground.

Any ideas what's going on?

How are water parameters?

 

[Fallguy44]

Pseudos are not always peaceful, especially with each other. I've seen them become terrors.

I have never seen the two interact. In fact he stays perched high on the left side of the tank, the pseudos is usually on the right and hides often.

90 gallon tank.

 

[Fallguy44]

How are water parameters?

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20ppm (2 days ago. Have done a water since)
PH - 8.2-8.4
Phosphate - 0.25ppm
Calcium - 440 mg/l
KH - 12 dkh

 

[Fallguy44]

Not even eating brine? Did you have any peppermint or any other type of live shrimp in there he may have eaten?

Tried frozen brine and mysis. He was eating the mysis more prior to this. No shrimp in the tank.

 

[Big G]

I bought the tank used and running with no fish. The tank has been up and running at my house for 2 months. He was one of my first fish I purchased.

1 new fish, I will get a picture. And a new leather coral about 2-3 weeks ago.

*edit - New fish is a fathead anthias

We ask this because we are always suspect of new "wet" additions to a tank can bring in a variety of disease(s) if it has not been QT'd. Velvet for example is rampant in the industry. Thus Meredith's questions in post #2.

 

[Fallguy44]

We ask this because we are always suspect of new "wet" additions to a tank can bring in a variety of disease(s) if it has not been QT'd. Velvet for example is rampant in the industry. Thus Meredith's questions in post #2.

Thank you. That's what I figured.

 

[Fallguy44]

Back to perching, still didn't eat. I've been using Garlic Guard for the last couple of weeks. I know it's supposed to help finicky eaters but do you think he dislikes it?

 

[Big G]

Try a fish "smoothie". Got the idea from @jsker. Get 7-8 different frozen fish cubes (mysis, fish eggs, cyclops, seaweed, etc.). Take one of each. Place into a small tupperware in the fridge and allow to "slump". Add some Selcon, Zoe, etc. to the mix. It will keep well in your fridge for a few days. Here's Jsker's thread. My fish love the stuff and will eat it off the spoon.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/preparing-frozen-foods-for-my-fish-and-corals.300448/#post-3677350

~ Gary

 

[ChadLo]

Back to perching, still didn't eat. I've been using Garlic Guard for the last couple of weeks. I know it's supposed to help finicky eaters but do you think he dislikes it?

To me it looks like there is a little red along the edge of his gills and throughout his body? May be a bacteria infection? Try feeding without garlic for a feeding? You'll find out if he likes it or not pretty quick.

 

[Fallguy44]

Try a fish "smoothie". Got the idea from @jsker. Get 7-8 different frozen fish cubes (mysis, fish eggs, cyclops, seaweed, etc.). Take one of each. Place into a small tupperware in the fridge and allow to "slump". Add some Selcon, Zoe, etc. to the mix. It will keep well in your fridge for a few days. Here's Jsker's thread. My fish love the stuff and will eat it off the spoon.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/preparing-frozen-foods-for-my-fish-and-corals.300448/#post-3677350

I'll try it, thank you!

 

[Big G]

You could certainly add a broad spectrum antibiotic with some kanaplex or furan2 to that "smoothie"

Furan2 is Nitrofurancine Green Powder which is what we recommend for "red spots" that you commonly see on angels and butterfly. Great product.

~ Gary