Wartskin frogfish heavy breathing

[ReeferHD]

My wartskin frogfish is breathing heavily and is tilted over, he had eaten a damsel about half his size a couple days ago, I also noticed one of his feet is disocolored. We’ve had him for about 2 weeks.

 

[ReeferHD]

My wartskin frogfish is breathing heavily and is tilted over, he had eaten a damsel about half his size a couple days ago, I also noticed one of his feet is disocolored. We’ve had him for about 2 weeks.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My wartskin frogfish is breathing heavily and is tilted over, he had eaten a damsel about half his size a couple days ago, I also noticed one of his feet is disocolored. We’ve had him for about 2 weeks.

May be constipation but start with water quality focusing on ammonia and nitrate level
Water temperature and salinity.
Does it have a bulge on its belly?

 

[SlugSnorter]

May be constipation but start with water quality focusing on ammonia and nitrate level
Water temperature and salinity.
Does it have a bulge on its belly?

this!

Frogfish are also pretty hard to keep, and need colder water

params?

damsel size?

Tank size?

 

[ReeferHD]

May be constipation but start with water quality focusing on ammonia and nitrate level
Water temperature and salinity.
Does it have a bulge on its belly?

Yes it does have a bulge on its belly, salinity is 1.023, temp 76.3 as I was told they like cooler waters, ammonia is 0, I’m testing nitrite and nitrate next.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Yes it does have a bulge on its belly, salinity is 1.023, temp 76.3 as I was told they like cooler waters, ammonia is 0, I’m testing nitrite and nitrate next.

tank age?

size?

other fish?

could be stress and/or constipation

 

[ReeferHD]

this!

Frogfish are also pretty hard to keep, and need colder water

params?

damsel size?

Tank size?

Temperature is 76.3. Damsel was about 1”, frogfish is about 3 and 1/4” testing Params right now

 

[ReeferHD]

May be constipation but start with water quality focusing on ammonia and nitrate level
Water temperature and salinity.
Does it have a bulge on its belly?

Nitrite is 0, nitrate is around 15, I was thinking it was constipation but with the way his legs are separated and not grasping the rocks is telling me it could be something else, I noticed his right leg has a purple color which was not there previously too.

 

[ReeferHD]

tank age?

size?

other fish?

could be stress and/or constipation

Tank is about 5 weeks old cycled with dr Tim’s and water/rocks from another tank, 34 gallons and his tank mates are a domino damsel, a big gorgonian and macroalgae.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tank is about 5 weeks old cycled with dr Tim’s and water/rocks from another tank, 34 gallons and his tank mates are a domino damsel, a big gorgonian and macroalgae.

Not an ideal first fish as tank will go through spikes here and there.
What test kits are you using?
Is fish yet eating or has stopped?
A water change will not hurt- 5-10 gallons

 

[ReeferHD]

Not an ideal first fish as tank will go through spikes here and there.
What test kits are you using?
Is fish yet eating or has stopped?
A water change will not hurt- 5-10 gallons

I added the damsels about a week before I got him I would’ve waited longer but my lfs could only hold him for 2 weeks, I used the API kits (I know they suck getting Salifert kits soon) he ate 2 days ago but is no longer interested in the other fish in the tank, definitely going to do a water change.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Temperature is 76.3. Damsel was about 1”, frogfish is about 3 and 1/4” testing Params right now

Tank is about 5 weeks old cycled with dr Tim’s and water/rocks from another tank, 34 gallons and his tank mates are a domino damsel, a big gorgonian and macroalgae.

I don't wanna be mean, but you should wait to get frogfish, at the least until your tank is more mature. They are very sensitive hard to keep fish that are not ideal for newbie keepers.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My wartskin frogfish is breathing heavily and is tilted over, he had eaten a damsel about half his size a couple days ago, I also noticed one of his feet is disocolored. We’ve had him for about 2 weeks.

Frog fish are very delicate and new ones can develop protozoan infections that are difficult to diagnose and treat.
@Lionfish hunter has a recent thread on this problem.
Jay

 

[chair]

How is your frogfish doing now?

 

[ReeferHD]

How is your frogfish doing now?

He began twitching and shortly after he died, I have no idea what caused it.

 

[chair]

From what I've heard an imbalance phosphates and nitrates can be toxic keeping nitrates and phosphates in close range is best with both being low is preferred. I.E. nitrates 2 phosphates 0-1 GOOD with nitrates 15 and phosphates 0 Bad nitrates 1 and phosphates 15 BAD. although don't quote me on the margin of the difference between the two. Perhaps that is what killed him. Or maybe he was just sick before hand. Frogfish can be treated with any fish meds so make sure you never do that... Also after a frogfish eats he will sit for a few days 2-3 before he becomes hungry again depending on his size so that is normal. He will start moving again when he becomes hungry. What did you feed him by chance frog fish feeding can be an issue. but I'm sorry for your loss pal. D:

 

[ReeferHD]

From what I've heard an imbalance phosphates and nitrates can be toxic keeping nitrates and phosphates in close range is best with both being low is preferred. I.E. nitrates 2 phosphates 0-1 GOOD with nitrates 15 and phosphates 0 Bad nitrates 1 and phosphates 15 BAD. although don't quote me on the margin of the difference between the two. Perhaps that is what killed him. Or maybe he was just sick before hand. Frogfish can be treated with any fish meds so make sure you never do that... Also after a frogfish eats he will sit for a few days 2-3 before he becomes hungry again depending on his size so that is normal. He will start moving again when he becomes hungry. What did you feed him by chance frog fish feeding can be an issue. but I'm sorry for your loss pal. D:

I fed him a domino damsel as stated above, i found out my lfs treats all their fish tanks with copper so im pretty sure that’s what caused it.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

To add to this for others who might find this in the future.

Another thing to keep track of for frog fish is magnesium. It should be kept around 1400-1450, as this aids in digestion of foods.

Also, mollies and ghost shrimp are a better food source for them. Easier to digest than damsels and provide a good balanced diet.

 

[chair]

@Eagle_Steve is there any evidence that damsels are less beneficial then mollies and shrimp, or is this just your opinion?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

@Eagle_Steve is there any evidence that damsels are less beneficial then mollies and shrimp, or is this just your opinion?

I fed damsel fry and larger damsels previously and had issues from time to time when doing it. Once I swapped to mollies, guppies and smaller shrimps, my success rate went up a ton. I have had 0 losses in 3 years, knock on wood. In addition, with FW fish like mollies (or you can call them brackish), the chance of bringing in a disease is almost nil. Just this alone is enough for me not use any SW fish that I do not breed myself and know they are parasite free.