Rhomboid not eating and hiding
- Thread starter Orly20
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Orly20
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What should I do if the Wrasse hasn't eaten in two weeks, then what? Should I doe the water? Maybe that will get him to eat medicated food?
Not sure on the appropriate approach
Thanks again
melypr1985
totally addicted
If he refuses to eat, then yes you would have to dose the water. It's not ideal, but they drink some water from the column so they would get some medication to their intestines. It could take longer this way.
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
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Yes sorry I'm on zero sleep I somehow forgot that.
To entice feeding try live brine and live blackworms. You need the fish to start eating and if those two don't work nothing will. I would try them yesterday, time is not your friend unfortunately :/
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Orly20
Well-Known Member
Well I dosed metro on 2/16, I know I need for it to slowly take effect but it is frustrating seeing mysis hit a $200 fish in the face and not see it eat.
I read once someone treating the qt with epsom salt for a possible intestinal blockage? Is that something I should try along with the metro?
I read once someone treating the qt with epsom salt for a possible intestinal blockage? Is that something I should try along with the metro?
It can't hurt to try - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. Also, kanamycin (Kanaplex) lists diarrhea as a known side effect.
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Orly20
Well-Known Member
do you know/think if I dosing Kanaplex that the Convict Tang will be negatively affected by it? Due to the tang having some type of symbiotic intestinal bacteria that helps it digest food?
I doubt it. But you could always feed probiotic soaked food to counteract any negative impact on it's digestive tract.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
Don't most animals have beneficial bacteria in their digestive tracts to aid digestion?
+1 Just like with humans, its always a good idea to feed your fish probiotic laced food following/during antibiotic treatment.
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Orly20
Well-Known Member
They do to my limited knowledge on this topic but I have also read that Convict Tangs are especially susceptible to withering away when they lose their bacteria due to the qt process. Am I the only person to have read this?
I wanted to know if anyone has onsite on this
Thanks everyone
I wanted to know if anyone has onsite on this
Thanks everyone
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
I've found their withering away is more from internal parasites than from complications related to qt.
I've read that some tangs (Acanthurus, Bristletooth, maybe others?) have a gizzard-like organ in their intestine filled with particles of sand which help to grind food before it starts the digestive process. This is why you will see certain tangs eat sand and then poop it back out. So, perhaps denying them sand in a QT environment is to blame? I will have to do more research into this.
melypr1985
totally addicted
He must be eating something. A healthy fish can go up to two weeks without eating before being in dire circumstances. You don't ever want them to get that far, but if he hasn't eaten in two weeks or more, he must be eating somethign when you are not watching. Possibly picking off the floor of the tank when you leave the room.
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Orly20
Well-Known Member
@melypr1985
yea i would think so but I have him in a specimen box now since the convict tang began picking on him. I just took a video of him and his belly doesn't look pinched or even thin. Take a look at the video of him doing what I call the "spin of death!"
yea i would think so but I have him in a specimen box now since the convict tang began picking on him. I just took a video of him and his belly doesn't look pinched or even thin. Take a look at the video of him doing what I call the "spin of death!"
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Orly20
Well-Known Member
Also in the video you can see a black mark by the middle of its body towards the hump of the fish. Can you see it? I wonder if that is a parasite/worm? I have seen some hobbyist pull small black worms out of the fish in the past. Thoughts?
thanks again
I really can't believe this fish is still alive.
thanks again
I really can't believe this fish is still alive.
He doesn't look good, that's for sure. I see the dark spot, but I'm unsure what that is. 
I don't think he would survive any treatments in his current state. If he dies, drop the body in FW (tap is fine) to check for flukes.
I don't know what else to tell you unfortunately.
I don't think he would survive any treatments in his current state. If he dies, drop the body in FW (tap is fine) to check for flukes.
I don't know what else to tell you unfortunately.
melypr1985
totally addicted
He doesn't look good, that's for sure. I see the dark spot, but I'm unsure what that is.
I don't think he would survive any treatments in his current state. If he dies, drop the body in FW (tap is fine) to check for flukes.
I don't know what else to tell you unfortunately.
+1 I'm at a loss as well. Did we call in the Wrasse guys on this yet? @evolved @eatbreakfast Any clues? It's probably too late for him, but maybe we can get a few more ideas.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
He is not using his caudal fin at all. That is an indicator of a significant spinal injury. He is also pretty skinny. If he hasn't eaten during this time, then the prognosis isn't good.
