Mandarin Dragonet Twitching and Sluggish

[bouttreepriddy]

I've had the mandarin for ~3 years in a 220 gallon tank. Yesterday I noticed he wasn't moving much and today I have noticed an occasional twitch ~every 30 seconds and heavy breathing. All other fish are fine. Is there anything I can do to help? I was debating a freshwater dip and a 20% water change.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've had the mandarin for ~3 years in a 220 gallon tank. Yesterday I noticed he wasn't moving much and today I have noticed an occasional twitch ~every 30 seconds and heavy breathing. All other fish are fine. Is there anything I can do to help? I was debating a freshwater dip and a 20% water change.

They may not hold well to Freshwater dip. I will not blame his on age but may be approaching captive lifespan. As to what's going on, can you provide a video under white light intensity of at least 20 seconds for best assessment?

 

[MnFish1]

Did you add anything new to the tank - that might have caused a problem?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Can you post a video? Sometimes written descriptions just aren’t sufficient to see what’s going on……

 

[bouttreepriddy]

Here's a video. He will occasionally swim like normal but he doesn't appear to be hunting anymore. No other changes since yesterday.

Should I move to a quarantine tank? I'm worried they would have a tougher time eating in quarantine and it doesn't appear that any other residents of the display have any interest in them.

 

[MnFish1]

I can't see the video - a YouTube video would be more helpful. However, it can just be old-age - as @vetteguy53081 said. If you could post some more pictures/video - it may help.

 

[MnFish1]

Here's a video. He will occasionally swim like normal but he doesn't appear to be hunting anymore. No other changes since yesterday.

Should I move to a quarantine tank? I'm worried they would have a tougher time eating in quarantine and it doesn't appear that any other residents of the display have any interest in them.

PS - you're correct - they may have harder time eating in a QT area.... However if there is an illness - the only way to treat it is in a quarantine area. If you choose to leave the fish where it is - its understandable - due to age

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Here's a video. He will occasionally swim like normal but he doesn't appear to be hunting anymore. No other changes since yesterday.

Should I move to a quarantine tank? I'm worried they would have a tougher time eating in quarantine and it doesn't appear that any other residents of the display have any interest in them.

From the video, the fish looks really thin. It may have a food malabsorption problem, or it just may not have been getting enough food over a long period. The twitching seems to be that the fish is moribund, actively dying. I hope I'm wrong, but if I'm correct, there really isn't anything you can do for this fish, sorry.