Niger trigger acting strange

merlberg · Mar 8, 2017

Hey Guys,

So I've had this trigger for at least 6 months and he has been doing great. Was always out n eating. About 3 weeks ago I did about a bigger w/c than usual. I usually do a 10 gal w/c but this time I did a 25 gal w/c because I cant seem to get my nitrates down but my nitrates been high for at least a yr. or more bt. 40- 80 ppm. All other parameters are fine!

Since the bigger w/c he has been hiding and never ever comes out and a few times I thought he was dead because I would find him in a corner playing dead [emoji58]. It never comes out to eat anymore but it has to be eating since its still alive? No one is picking on it, he is not aggressive but also dnt take crap frm anyone. Help!!

Tank size 120 gal.
Current fish stock- niger trigger, dog face puffer, porcuppine puffer, 2 tomato clowns, domino damsel, sailfin tang, lemon peel angel, 1 cleaner shrimp, Snowflake eel.

Last 2 additions - 2 weeks ago was 1 tomato clown and the lemon angel peel.

saltnewb · Mar 8, 2017

I'm of no help on this topic, but I know better people, @Humblefish and @melypr1985 will be asking for pictures and/or possibly videos to rule out any kind of possible infection or injury. Don't really know if the little fella is stilling eating unless you see it. It seems fish can go a while without food before starving to death. If it's possible to put him in QT until more info and pictures are obtained, that'd be a great start.

merlberg · Mar 8, 2017

saltnewb said:
I'm of no help on this topic, but I know better people, @Humblefish and @melypr1985 will be asking for pictures and/or possibly videos to rule out any kind of possible infection or injury. Don't really know if the little fella is stilling eating unless you see it. It seems fish can go a while without food before starving to death. If it's possible to put him in QT until more info and pictures are obtained, that'd be a great start.

There is no way possible to catch him. He stays low and does not move frm that 1 spot. Like ever [emoji30].

melypr1985 · Mar 8, 2017

merlberg said:
There is no way possible to catch him. He stays low and does not move frm that 1 spot. Like ever [emoji30].

Hi there! I'm sorry about your trigger problems.

Can you get a picture for us? As clear as possible?

Are you absolutely sure that the specific gravity and temp matched the display when you did the large water change? What do you use to measure your SG?

merlberg · Mar 8, 2017

Ill take a pic as soon as I get home but I'm sure you wont be able to see much if any part besides the tail of the trigger. And yes everything was matched. I use a refractometer

melypr1985 · Mar 8, 2017

merlberg said:
Ill take a pic as soon as I get home but I'm sure you wont be able to see much if any part besides the tail of the trigger. And yes everything was matched. I use a refractometer

Ok. So, while we wait for the picture be thinking of other symptoms he may be exhibiting. Heavy breathing, head twitching, yawning, flashing or scratching, swimming into the flow of a powerhead or return, white spots, or a dusty/dirty appearance, white patches, red streaks/patches.... or anything else not normal. (aside from hiding in the corner)

I realize a lot of this might not apply right away since he's pressed himself into the corner of the tank and appears to not have moved. But think about before he started doing this, think hard and see if you remember him doing any of the things listed. OR any of the other fish displaying any of those symptoms listed. Information will help figure this out, so we need as much as you got.

merlberg · Mar 8, 2017

Here are a few pics

merlberg · Mar 8, 2017

No ... none of those symptoms besides hiding in the corner and doesnt seem to be eating.

The only thing I can think of is my newest tomato clown had some spots on it but went away... it comes and goes but the trigger was acting strange prior to the tomato clown being put in.

melypr1985 · Mar 8, 2017

merlberg said:
No ... none of those symptoms besides hiding in the corner and doesnt seem to be eating.

The only thing I can think of is my newest tomato clown had some spots on it but went away... it comes and goes but the trigger was acting strange prior to the tomato clown being put in.

He looks stressed, but otherwise healthy. If the tomato has spots that come and go, then it's probably ick depending on how many spots are there and how long they stay on the fish. I know you said there was no aggression between the others and him, but you might not be seeing it. Most fish don't show their aggressive tendencies when you are looking. They are weird like that.

merlberg · Mar 8, 2017

melypr1985 said:
He looks stressed, but otherwise healthy. If the tomato has spots that come and go, then it's probably ick depending on how many spots are there and how long they stay on the fish. I know you said there was no aggression between the others and him, but you might not be seeing it. Most fish don't show their aggressive tendencies when you are looking. They are weird like that.

Im a stalker lml im always at my tank watching them unless its at night... Altho I see no aggression I have noticed the 2 puffers tails a bit chewed... so i think they go at it times... the tomato clown had spots around the face for maybe 2 days n went away. I do think it's a mold case of ick if there is such a thing lol but it was so fat and healthy I still purchased it. Ive been trying to feed it alot of garlic n hope for the best but no spots on anything else.

Oh wait i also changed my pump in the sump which is way stronger than the pump before. I did it when i did the bigger w/c. So thts the only 2 things i did differently. Could it be he does not like the flow anymore since it is way stronger?

melypr1985 · Mar 8, 2017

merlberg said:
Oh wait i also changed my pump in the sump which is way stronger than the pump before. I did it when i did the bigger w/c. So thts the only 2 things i did differently. Could it be he does not like the flow anymore since it is way stronger?

I think we need more eyes on this one. @eatbreakfast @evolved @4FordFamily

4FordFamily · Mar 8, 2017

Niger can be pretty cryptic but if there are better places to hide that aren't that open and he chose that spot then I worry about his health. (It's not uncommon for them to hide out of sight for a long time or intermittently). I'm assuming better more secluded spots exist he could wedge himself in to?

If you don't see any obvious symptoms perhaps it is internal. That looks to me like a weak fish.

merlberg · Mar 8, 2017

4FordFamily said:
Niger can be pretty cryptic but if there are better places to hide that aren't that open and he chose that spot then I worry about his health. (It's not uncommon for them to hide out of sight for a long time or intermittently). I'm assuming better more secluded spots exist he could wedge himself in to?

If you don't see any obvious symptoms perhaps it is internal. That looks to me like a weak fish.

Its weird ... 1 min he does look weak and dead but as soon as I stare long enough he moves to a different spot and is no longer on the sandbed n looks tp be swimming perfectly fine. But He pretty much stays in one area of the tank now. This is just frustrating because I have no clue whats going on with him and there are no other signs of anything else. Maybe Ill just let him be and just hope he acts normal again lol

4FordFamily · Mar 9, 2017

merlberg said:
Its weird ... 1 min he does look weak and dead but as soon as I stare long enough he moves to a different spot and is no longer on the sandbed n looks tp be swimming perfectly fine. But He pretty much stays in one area of the tank now. This is just frustrating because I have no clue whats going on with him and there are no other signs of anything else. Maybe Ill just let him be and just hope he acts normal again lol

Letting him be if you don't see other obvious symptoms may be your best bet.