Scooter stopped eating?

[Alexraptor]

My Red Scooter Dragonet i got 9 months ago stopped eating a bout a month ago. He swims around and very rarely picks at food, despite an abundance of pods and other critters in the tank. Even the pellets, he barely even touches anymore, which he used to love above even pods and he just keeps getting skinnier and skinnier. This also coincided with a change in behavior that I can't quite describe, but something has felt... off.

He shares his home with a Spotted Mandarin, whom is super chonkers, the most sausage looking dragonet I've ever seen! Only eats live food, no targeted feeding like I do with the scooter. There is no sign of aggression between the two of them, they barely acknowledge eachothers existence.

I know its not much to go on but any thoughts? parasite? intestinal blockage? old age? (I don't know his age but he is a fully grown adult)

 

[Jekyl]

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[AC1211]

My Red Scooter Dragonet i got 9 months ago stopped eating a bout a month ago. He swims around and very rarely picks at food, despite an abundance of pods and other critters in the tank. Even the pellets, he barely even touches anymore, which he used to love above even pods and he just keeps getting skinnier and skinnier. This also coincided with a change in behavior that I can't quite describe, but something has felt... off.

He shares his home with a Spotted Mandarin, whom is super chonkers, the most sausage looking dragonet I've ever seen! Only eats live food, no targeted feeding like I do with the scooter. There is no sign of aggression between the two of them, they barely acknowledge eachothers existence.

I know its not much to go on but any thoughts? parasite? intestinal blockage? old age? (I don't know his age but he is a fully grown adult)

If the spotted mandarin is doing fine... chances are part of the problem is that the red scooter is getting outcompeted. The weaker it gets the worse it will be. That said... it is probably getting some food.

 

[Alexraptor]

I just got my answer... unfortunately. I accidentally spooked him and he flashed his belly, which was enough for me to see that his anus has an enormous lump, so it seems like I'm dealing with an anal/intestinal obstruction or maybe even a tumor.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I just got my answer... unfortunately. I accidentally spooked him and he flashed his belly, which was enough for me to see that his anus has an enormous lump, so it seems like I'm dealing with an anal/intestinal obstruction or maybe even a tumor.

Internal issues like that are difficult to treat. Sometimes though, it is just a blockage that can work itself out.