Sailfin tang swimming upside down

[Dominic M]

Hi, sailfin tang has been in QT for 16 days and has shown every sign of being a very heathly fish. Checked on him this morning and was stuck to the intake of a hang on the back filter somehow, moved the intake and he detached and has now been swimming almost upside down. Extremly bizzare and out of the blue behavior. Not sure what to do….

 

[trevorhiller]

Medications in the water?

 

[Dominic M]

Medications in the water?

No, ive just been running the system normal becuase I got the fish from someone who already had it QTd I just wanted to make sure so I didnt think that would be needed.

 

[fishguy242]

#fishmedic

 

[Dominic M]

I also notice heavy breathy and maybe some mild discoloration.

 

[Troylee]

Can’t see the video.. have you checked your ammonia levels?

 

[Dominic M]

Can’t see the video.. have you checked your ammonia levels?

Yes it is straight 0, all perameters are in check. Im doing a 50% water change right now just to see if that will make him perk up eventually.

 

[trevorhiller]

water change and extra aeration never really hurts. Hopefully the QT pros will be here soon.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sounds like fish once doing this is moribund and chance of recovery becomes low as fish becomes too weak to swim and eat normal
Is breathing rapid paced?

 

[Dominic M]

Sounds like fish once doing this is moribund and chance of recovery becomes low as fish becomes too weak to swim and eat normal
Is breathing rapid paced?

It seems to be at a stable pace right now, just a bit faster than usual but stable. Thats unfortunate to hear…

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is and can stem from impact or other injury , inadequate diet and other scenarios

It seems to be at a stable pace right now, just a bit faster than usual but stable. Thats unfortunate to hear…

 

[Dominic M]

It is and can stem from impact or other injury , inadequate diet and other scenarios

It is just kind of surprising and quite random. He has been fed nori twice a day and mysis shrimp every other. Its just him, a heater, and a pvc pipe so im trying to think of what could have cuased an injury

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It seems to be at a stable pace right now, just a bit faster than usual but stable. Thats unfortunate to hear…

The breathing is just a bit faster/deeper than normal, I would attribute that to the fish being moribund (and the stress from being upside down).

I couldn't get a really clear view, but the fish does look pretty thin - and that can cause a fish to become weak like this.

Jay

 

[Dominic M]

The breathing is just a bit faster/deeper than normal, I would attribute that to the fish being moribund (and the stress from being upside down).

I couldn't get a really clear view, but the fish does look pretty thin - and that can cause a fish to become weak like this.

Jay

Makes sense, it does appear quite skinny now but it did not look this way a day ago as I feed a generous amount. It has a very different visual apperence from just a day or so ago.

I did the 50% water change just in case but it seems it most likely will not make it. Thank you for the help I appreciate it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is just kind of surprising and quite random. He has been fed nori twice a day and mysis shrimp every other. Its just him, a heater, and a pvc pipe so im trying to think of what could have cuased an injury

A weak tang will do a complete turnaround without warning and in a sense throw in the towel