Cyanide Poisoning for Hippo Tang

[180+55reef]

So I bought a hippo tang from reputable online vendor. The tang couldn't see. Its eyes more or less look fine. It swims into corals. It is alone in a 120 gallon tank. It is still alive and I have had it for about a month. It has never eaten and thus is very thin.

I was wondering if anyone has an idea what to do?

What are the signs of Cyanide poisoning?

I was in contract with the vendor, who more or less gave me the run around. Although they do have generous DOA policy, the fish hasn't died but will die without sight and food

any feedback is appreciated

thanks!

 

[elegance coral]

Wow, that stinks. I've never heard of blindness being a symptom of cyanide poisoning though. I'd be more inclined to think it is some type of infection that has effected the optic nerve, eye, or brain.

 

[180+55reef]

hmm thanks
if must effect its appetite though, why wouldn't it eat?

 

[MrTuskfish]

Very sick or injured fish simply won't eat.Cyanide symptoms can be lack of appetite, gasping for air, flared gills, overly bright color, and others. I've never heard of blindness as a symptom, though. I can't think of anything that would help. is he starting to get very dark? The time may come when you may want to euthanize this fish.

 

[180+55reef]

no not dark, just blind and doesnt eat and getting very thin

 

[snorvich]

Very sick or injured fish simply won't eat.Cyanide symptoms can be lack of appetite, gasping for air, flared gills, overly bright color, and others. I've never heard of blindness as a symptom, though. I can't think of anything that would help. is he starting to get very dark? The time may come when you may want to euthanize this fish.

Correct. The way I would characterize cyanide poisoning is not wanting to move, not eating. No recovery if this is the case.

 

[180+55reef]

ok so what else could it be?

 

[MrTuskfish]

It sounds lie this fish is just so weak, it can't tell which end is up. If he really hasn't eaten in a month, he may just be totally disoriented; maybe not blind. IMO & IME; I doubt you'll ever know what's wrong. Sometimes, fish simply don't acclimate, for any number of unknown reasons.

 

[180+55reef]

thanks
I got him this way though...........I waved stuff in front of his face and no movement at all, never an interest in food.

Poisoning of some kind, maybe not cyanide....................

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

It sounds like it may be too late, but did you try live brine shrimp? Some fish that won't eat anything else may eat live brine. If not, give them a try ASAP. What have you tried feeding and how big is the fish? I assume you have tried PE mysis, which a lot of fish accept. Have you tried soaking the food in garlic? Perhaps the scent of garlic will help it find the food.

On the off chance the problem is bacterial and not poisoning, you might move the fish to a QT and treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic.

Keep trying, sometimes fish in bad condition suddenly bounce back and start eating. This won't happen, of course, if the fish was poisoned, but if not you never know.

Has the vendor had any suggestions on how to treat the fish? You describe the vendor as reputable, so they should be helping. If the fish came from the seller in that condition and the seller won't take responsibility, you should identify the seller so that others can take that into account when selecting a vendor.

Good luck, and let us know what happens.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Vendors, like LA that offer a 14 day guarantee have been known to extend it if they know you are trying to save a fish. Funny, when there is a 14 day guarantee, how many fish seem to croak on the 13th day! The OP mentioned a "DOA" policy, that's a whole lot different than 14 days.

 

[RtReef]

Wow this sucks man. I would also ask what kind of foods you've tried feeding. I hate to see things like this happen to any living thing.

 

[180+55reef]

no real suggestions from the vendor, ...........

I have tried every frozen and fresh food, again the fish shows zero interest in the food doesnt even move in the direction................