Firefish breathing heavy

[Fishmommy]

Saturday I bought a healthy-looking firefish and put him in my QT. This is my first fish.
The QT is 10 gallons and has been fully cycled with regular doses of ammonia over the last few months. It has a high-capacity HOB filter and powerhead. It is covered in case of jumpers.
Parameters were Salinity 35, Ammo 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5 (the day before my weekly water change).
LFS salinity was an exact match, so acclimation was quick.

Sunday I did a 2 gallon water change. Everything looked good and the fish was eating a little.

Today I came home from work and the fish is skittish as heck and breathing heavily. I can't see any dots or reddening anywhere, just the behavior is weird. He wouldn't eat this evening and seems like he is getting blown around by the flow rather than swimming in it like he was over the weekend. He's got PVC to hide in and is doing so from time to time.
Parameters are still good, Ammo/Nitrite 0, Nitrate 3. Salinity 35.

I have PraziPro on hand, and Cupramine. What should I do and how urgent is the situation? I have to work tomorrow so I need to know if treatment can wait until tomorrow night or do I need to get down there tonight and do something?

Thanks.....this is a bummer.

 

[snorvich]

Did you test for ammonia?

 

[Fishmommy]

yes it is zero on Salifert test.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

You have a few options: Perform a FW dip to see if you are dealing with flukes, 2. Dose Prazi as directed. Be sure to aerate the water. I would either point the power head towards the surface or put an air stone in instead of the power head. 3. Do nothing, get the fish eating and observe.
Firefish are notoriously skittish. The stress alone could be making him breath hard.

 

[snorvich]

You have a few options: Perform a FW dip to see if you are dealing with flukes, 2. Dose Prazi as directed. Be sure to aerate the water. I would either point the power head towards the surface or put an air stone in instead of the power head. 3. Do nothing, get the fish eating and observe.
Firefish are notoriously skittish. The stress alone could be making him breath hard.

Good advice. When I have kept firefish, they did not seem to like current.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Mine hides in the back corner where there is barely any flow and comes out when I turn down the power head for feeding.

 

[Fishmommy]

Ok great. He seems better this morning. I will turn down the flow and add an airstone tonight.

 

[Fishmommy]

Well he seems fine now, except I have yet to get him to eat (almost a week now). I have tried flake and frozen. Any advice?
Thanks

 

[snorvich]

Well he seems fine now, except I have yet to get him to eat (almost a week now). I have tried flake and frozen. Any advice?
Thanks

Well, there is always "fish crack" otherwise known as nutramar Ova. Also, frozen cyclopeeze is irresistible to firefish.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Lol, that is crack all of my fish go nuts for it! My firefish took a few days before he would eat.

 

[Deinonych]

Well, there is always "fish crack" otherwise known as nutramar Ova. Also, frozen cyclopeeze is irresistible to firefish.

+1

Hikari Mysis is another good starter food. PE Mysis is too big for firefish IME.

 

[Fishmommy]

I will pick up the cyclopeeze and give that a go. Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

I will pick up the cyclopeeze and give that a go. Thanks!

Frozen not freeze dried. It enters the water column better. Remember they are planktivores.

 

[Fishmommy]

Got it, thank you!
Awesome little fish.

 

[snorvich]

Keep us posted!