Trigger dying...

Rocklin Mike · Mar 26, 2019

So I’ve had him for over a month. Everything seemed fine, eating normal, socializing. I noticed he was getting skinny since he was pretty plump when I got him. Last couple days he’s been under a rock. I fished him out and moved him to qt. I don’t see anything wrong with him other than the weight loss. I thought his mouth looked funny like a parasite on his lip. Maybe flukes? Should I FW dip?

Monkeytank · Mar 26, 2019

I would try a fresh water dip and look for flukes that could fall off. I have one I've had for over a year that suddenly went blind a little over a week ago. I've dipped and medicated, and I'm pretty sure there is no hope. He eats when I put the food right in front of his mouth, but he seems to be unable to find it if I just put it in the 10 gallon QT tank I've got him in.

Rocklin Mike · Mar 26, 2019

Ok I can give that a go

ccombs · Mar 26, 2019

@Humblefish @4FordFamily

Sorry to hear this, good call on move to QT. The people tagged above will get you some good recommendations. I will get the questions started in the mean time.

1) Any rubbing up on objects?
2) Swimming into flow of powerheads?
3) No other visible signs-dots, patches, spots?
4) Loss of equilibrium?
5) Does excrement look normal?
6) Do you have any meds on hand?

ccombs · Mar 26, 2019

Caution with a freshwater dip-if a fish is already on deaths door, the freshwater dip can stress them out and put them over the edge. However, if you are in last resort mode you should go for it. (I went through this recently and did a FW did when I probably shouldn't have)

Rocklin Mike · Mar 26, 2019

ccombs said:
@Humblefish @4FordFamily

Sorry to hear this, good call on move to QT. The people tagged above will get you some good recommendations. I will get the questions started in the mean time.

1) Any rubbing up on objects?
2) Swimming into flow of powerheads?
3) No other visible signs-dots, patches, spots?
4) Loss of equilibrium?
5) Does excrement look normal?
6) Do you have any meds on hand?

No rubbing, he did have his trigger out in the rock. No powerhead swimming. No loss of equilibrium that I’ve noticed. He was a little wonky on the move to qt. Have not seen excrement. I have prazipro, cupramine, kordon rid ich, and reef flux. He did have a couple white marks on his fin that looked like lymphosystis but never got worse.

Rocklin Mike · Mar 26, 2019

ccombs said:
Caution with a freshwater dip-if a fish is already on deaths door, the freshwater dip can stress them out and put them over the edge. However, if you are in last resort mode you should go for it. (I went through this recently and did a FW did when I probably shouldn't have)

Copy that on the dip. He doesn’t look good at all so might be a last resort.

ccombs · Mar 26, 2019

Rocklin Mike said:
No rubbing, he did have his trigger out in the rock. No powerhead swimming. No loss of equilibrium that I’ve noticed. He was a little wonky on the move to qt. Have not seen excrement. I have prazipro, cupramine, kordon rid ich, and reef flux. He did have a couple white marks on his fin that looked like lymphosystis but never got worse.

Great! These are some of the questions I know the experts will ask so I thought I could expedite the Q&A for you by the time they see this. Good thing you have meds on hand. Copper and Prazi can be treated together, you might want to slowly start raising the QT tank copper level so you get ahead of this. If you are thinking flukes, add the Prazi as well.

Rocklin Mike · Mar 26, 2019

Only thinking flukes cuz I don’t see evidence of ich or velvet. Parasite of some kind perhaps.

HotRocks · Mar 26, 2019

Is the fish eating at all? What are you feeding? Looks paper thin which is very abnormal for a predator.

ccombs · Mar 26, 2019

Rocklin Mike said:
Only thinking flukes cuz I don’t see evidence of ich or velvet. Parasite of some kind perhaps.

If you determine it is internal, consider getting some metro plus (most LFS have it) and doing a food soaked with it. If you end up with any internal problem, you have to get the meds inside.

Rocklin Mike · Mar 26, 2019

He was eating fine. I feed pellets a couple times a day and LRS frozen in the evening.

Rocklin Mike · Mar 26, 2019

He’s gotten skinny quick. Was surprised tonight when I came home and scooped him up. I’ll try to target feed some shrimp now.

Rocklin Mike · Mar 27, 2019

Powerhead is pushing him all over the tank. He’s stuck up against the rocks now. Won’t eat. I think he’s done. Not sure what to do but fw dip or start prazipro