fingered dragonet

[elmattador]

So, i got one of these guys about 2 weeks ago, and he eats all the time. I feed him live brine and hes just recently started to accept frozen mysis but i've noticed his stomach looks very sunken in. idk how long its been like that, so idk if i got him that way but he ate for me at the store before bringing him home. anyone have any ideas on what i can do.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1635+1722&pcatid=1722 this is what he looks like.
i knew he was gonna be difficult fish and hes doing great and he does eat a lot but its just his stomach thats bothering me.

 

[HumbleFish]

I know with Mandarins a sunken stomach basically means they are starving to death. Their stomachs should look full & round. BTW, that's one evil looking fish you've got there. :angryfire:

 

[elmattador]

Yea he is awesome! He reminds me of a lionfish in a way. And yea from what I've seen thats what ive always gathered is hes starving but hes a pig and is always eating if its not what im feeding him its all the various pods in my tank. Im hoping it's not a parasite.

 

[HumbleFish]

Yea he is awesome! He reminds me of a lionfish in a way. And yea from what I've seen thats what ive always gathered is hes starving but hes a pig and is always eating if its not what im feeding him its all the various pods in my tank. Im hoping it's not a parasite.

Internal (intestinal) worms are always a possibility. A dragonet's thick slime coat doesn't protect them from that. I QT'd my Mandarins and prophylactically treated them with Prazipro; they handled that medication with no issues.

 

[elmattador]

i'll give that a shot. i feed him some raw shrimp today and he ate that up as well but his stomach is still shrunken in.