What do you do when your copperband stops eating?

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for this analysis. So nothing is worth trying as a remedy? Do I just wait for her to die now?

Sorry, if it was my fish, I’d euthanize it.

Fish Euthanasia

Euthanasia Euthanasia is a word derived from two Greek words that roughly translates to “good death”. In other words, euthanasia is the painless killing of an organism. In general usage, there is also the underlying understanding that euthanasia is performed on terminal patients only. This...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

Sorry, if it was my fish, I’d euthanize it.

Fish Euthanasia

Euthanasia Euthanasia is a word derived from two Greek words that roughly translates to “good death”. In other words, euthanasia is the painless killing of an organism. In general usage, there is also the underlying understanding that euthanasia is performed on terminal patients only. This...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks for the link.

Can you give your best guess as to if she arrived in this condition, or if she deteriorated in 8 days in my tank? Or is it most likely a combination of both?

 

[Uncle99]

Do you think it's beak looks damaged? I have two here and neither that much if an upward curve.

Good point.
Mine is not like that.

 

[exnisstech]

Good point.
Mine is not like that.

It caught my attention because a lfs had one come in like that only a little worse. It didn't make it.

 

[Uncle99]

It was eating for 6 consecutive days, then stopped.
Except for the fast breath, looks and acts like mine.

Any way to put him in a 10g and lower stress?

There you can at least try.

Not the easiest fish. Can’t tell if he can’t eat, or just does not want to.

Doesn’t look on deaths bed to me, but then again, no expert here, I must miss something.

Here’s a vid of mine at 15 days in display.

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

It was eating for 6 consecutive days, then stopped.
Except for the fast breath, looks and acts like mine.

Any way to put him in a 10g and lower stress?

There you can at least try.

Not the easiest fish. Can’t tell if he can’t eat, or just does not want to.

Doesn’t look on deaths bed to me, but then again, no expert here, I must miss something.

Here’s a vid of mine at 15 days in display.

Beautiful tank.. Yours looks super healthy.. All of that foraging is a really good sign.. Mine did that, though slightly less aggressively, for a few days before she stopped.

 

[Uncle99]

Beautiful tank.. Yours looks super healthy.. All of that foraging is a really good sign.. Mine did that, though slightly less aggressively, for a few days before she stopped.

That’s why I’m stumped.
It’s usually not eats at all from the start, not eats and then stops.

There’s no question in my mind that she is “uneasy” and a bit overwhelmed which is completely understandable.

I can only hope time changes that.

Keep us posted.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for this analysis. So nothing is worth trying as a remedy? Do I just wait for her to die now?

Sorry - I can't think of anything for you to try once a fish reaches this point.

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

That’s why I’m stumped.
It’s usually not eats at all from the start, not eats and then stops.

There’s no question in my mind that she is “uneasy” and a bit overwhelmed which is completely understandable.

I can only hope time changes that.

Keep us posted.

I tried to put her in the sump with lights off. That's all I have for now.. She doesn't seem to be suffering in any specific way (she's still swimming, not gasping, etc) , so I'll let her be and will keep trying to feed her.

I know in all likelihood Jay is right and knows what's coming, but I don't have the heart or chemicals to euthanize her at the moment.

 

[Uncle99]

I tried to put her in the sump with lights off. That's all I have for now.. She doesn't seem to be suffering in any specific way (she's still swimming, not gasping, etc) , so I'll let her be and will keep trying to feed her.

I know in all likelihood Jay is right and knows what's coming, but I don't have the heart or chemicals to euthanize her at the moment.

Good for you.
Some chance better than no chance.
You’ll know when and if it’s time.
By description, not yet, I agree with you.
Each persons view on that subject is different.
Your the keeper, your call.

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

@Jay Hemdal @Uncle99

Thanks for all y'alls help. She died last night as expected.

I thought I was prepared to keep her alive by understanding her personality, buying all of her favorite foods, and trying to get her fed 4 times a day, but unfortunately it wasn't enough. When I saw her eat her first bite of Mysis on the 3rd day I was excited and thought it would all work out from there, but it wasn't to be.

Not sure if I should try again or not; she's such a beautiful fish.

 

[Uncle99]

Sorry for your loss.
Tough getting them settled.
I vote for try again.