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Harlequin Tusk acting funny

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by FishBrain, Jun 25, 2011.

  1. Jun 25, 2011 #1
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

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    I noticed a couple hours ago that my harlequin tusk is not acting right. He useualy swims laps and comes right to the top anytime i'm near the tank to beg for food. Tonight he's spending most of his time sitting on the bottum and when he dose swim he seems realy uncoordinated. All other fish are fine. The only thing I can think of is maybe he got stung by the fuzzy dwarf lion. If this were the case how long would it take for the poison to kill him? I realy hope that's not the case and maybe he has gas lol. This fish was way expensive and there is no way my wife will let me replace him. So I hope he is better tomorrow.
     -Bill




     


     
     
  2. Jun 25, 2011 #2
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    awww man bill that sucks! Could be the result of a nutritional deficiency, I'm not suggesting that you don't feel your fish well, but there are a number of things we don't understand about piscine nutrition, perhaps even something needed by this species specifically. Additionally there are a number of autoimmune conditions that can amount to deficiencies. I also would look at what you're currently feeding and determine the quality of the regular pellet/flake you're feeding. The aquarium industry is likely a trashcan for low quality fish meal with high byproduct consisting of high bone meal. I have so many studies I'd like to do.....someday.

    Anyways, if he passes I'd love it if you could put him on ice for me and allow me to biopsy his liver next time you're up here. Wish I had more practical advice for you.

    cya man,
    Andy
     
  3. Jun 25, 2011 #3
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

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    I realy don't think it's nutritional deficiency man. I feed him a home made mix of fresh seafood from hyvee and krill. But if he dose die I will be sure and save him for yea.
    -Bill
     
  4. Jun 26, 2011 #4
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Sorry to hear about the change in behavior of the tusk Bill. Could it be that you are " just" seeing a behavior change? From what I've read about them, they often rest on the bottom of the tank o rrest under overhangs.... I hope it's not serious!
     
  5. Jun 26, 2011 #5
    tasha6

    tasha6 Inactive User

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    When making your own food are you sure what you are buying doesn't have preservatives? The seafood we get here have probably been frozen and most times injected with something. What do you add to your mix? He could be missing some greens. Even the predators need greens and they normally get it from the intestines of their prey. Bacterial infections can cause them to act weird and sometimes it's almost impossible to tell. Is he eating at all? Hope you can figure it out and he pulls through.
     
  6. Jun 26, 2011 #6
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

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    He's worse this morning :-( @tasha6 If memory serves me I put jumbo shrimp, scallops, clams, salmon, palok, garlic, nori, and probably a few more things I forgot. It was all fresh not frozen. He has been eating this for and krill months with no problems. The weird thing is how it came on all at once, that is making me think it was a sting from the lion fish. If this fish dies I'm just going to sell the others and take a year or so break from the hobby altogether. This is very depressing!
    -Bill
     
  7. Jun 26, 2011 #7
    FishBrain New London

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    I think I may have figgured it out. Last weekend I got a new fish and it hade a few spots on it. i didn't think it was ick it looked more bacteral or fungal so i was treating the tank with melafix all week. And per the instructions I had the skimmer off all week. Today I noticed that my clown trigger has some spots now and on closer inspection so dose the harlequin. Now it is looking like ick . So I think the ick and low oxygen levels is what the deal is. So I did a water change and added fresh carbon per the instructions for the end of the melafix treatment. I turned the skimmer back on and dosed the tank with coppersafe. I took all the snails out and put them in my bio cube. He looks a little better with the oxygen increase and hopefully the copper will work it's magic before he kicks it.
    -Bill
     
  8. Jun 26, 2011 #8
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

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    I think I may have figgured it out. Last weekend I got a new fish and it hade a few spots on it. i didn't think it was ick it looked more bacteral or fungal so i was treating the tank with melafix all week. And per the instructions I had the skimmer off all week. Today I noticed that my clown trigger has some spots now and on closer inspection so dose the harlequin. Now it is looking like ick . So I think the ick and low oxygen levels is what the deal is. So I did a water change and added fresh carbon per the instructions for the end of the melafix treatment. I turned the skimmer back on and dosed the tank with coppersafe. I took all the snails out and put them in my bio cube. He looks a little better with the oxygen increase and hopefully the copper will work it's magic before he kicks it.
    -Bill
     
  9. Jun 26, 2011 #9
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    great news
     
  10. Jun 26, 2011 #10
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

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    Yea I think he will be fine now. He seems to be much better now that oxygen levels are up.
     
  11. Jul 1, 2011 #11
    FishBrain New London

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    He's almost back to normal his coordination is back and he is more active also he acted like he was going to eat when i fed the tank. This was the firs time he showed any interest in food sence he got sick. I think another couple days and he will be 100%
     
  12. Jul 1, 2011 #12
    iaJim

    iaJim Inactive User

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    Not often you hear good news like this. Glad you caught the problem and acted quickly.
     

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