Fluke vs scales

[caribfan]

This is a bit outside the box, but do you think it could be stray current causing the twitching?

Have you ever measured or tested for that? The easiest way to do it (especially In the winter) is to stick a finger with a small cut on it in your tank. If there's even the smallest amount of current, you'll feel a small sting.

You could also use a volt meter, but not every one has that and if your home is older, it may not have grounded outlets, which you need to test it properly.

Just a thought.

When you say hunger strikes, how long are we talking?

 

[NarakuAulonocar]

Hunger strike lasts around 2 weeks up to 5 weeks. He is stubborn. I usually just give in and give mysis. But I am unable to make him fat on mysis alone. Currently he just ate a couple pellets, this was after around 3 weeks of refusing. He only eats at night time.

Say, if there was stray. Would you buy a GFCI or just switch equipments? I read some article stating that probes can cause the problem.

I will consider putting my hands in but currently, some of my african cichlids are suspect for tuberculosis (Skinny), so I am paranoid about disease transmission. I wear disposable gloves and use separate buckets/hoses for each tank.

 

[NarakuAulonocar]

My parents bought the house in 1997. Are houses grounded back then?

Whenever, he eats pellets, he gains weight and looks healthier, even if he only eats a little.

Its weird that he used to eat during the day but now only eats at night.

Do you think fish suffer depression? Maybe its lonely from being the only fish in the tank?

 

[caribfan]

Hunger strike lasts around 2 weeks up to 5 weeks. He is stubborn. I usually just give in and give mysis. But I am unable to make him fat on mysis alone. Currently he just ate a couple pellets, this was after around 3 weeks of refusing. He only eats at night time.

Say, if there was stray. Would you buy a GFCI or just switch equipments? I read some article stating that probes can cause the problem.

I will consider putting my hands in but currently, some of my african cichlids are suspect for tuberculosis (Skinny), so I am paranoid about disease transmission. I wear disposable gloves and use separate buckets/hoses for each tank.

If it's stray current, the GFCI will just trip. The best way to fix stray current is to isolate the piece of equipment causing the problem and replace it.

Interesting about the Tuberculosis, I suppose I should be more careful, but i've never worn gloves over the last 15 years and never had a problem.

 

[caribfan]

My parents bought the house in 1997. Are houses grounded back then?

Whenever, he eats pellets, he gains weight and looks healthier, even if he only eats a little.

Its weird that he used to eat during the day but now only eats at night.

Do you think fish suffer depression? Maybe its lonely from being the only fish in the tank?

If the house was built in 1997, then yes, the circuits should be grounded.

As i'm thinking about the situation overall, I keep coming back to the fish likely just being malnourished. You've been proactive in preventing any pathogens, but maybe not made the right choices, or at least used the proper resources to ensure good nutrition.

Mysis is a good protein source, but IMO, by itself is not enough.

Many people like and use pellets, I do not. Butterflies like a wide variety of foods, specifically proteins.

I think your best course of action is going to be to spend the next two weeks finding and feeding quality food sources to this fish and not worrying about feeding it pellets. Like I said before, I like the Larry's Reef Services products. If those aren't available, Rods or Roggers is another option some people use. If those aren't available, buy some fresh seafood, scallops, clams on the half shell, uncooked shrimp and use a cheese grater to shred those foods into small particles. Additionally, whenever possible, I like to use supplements such as Selcon and Vitachem in alternating fashion to soak my foods in. These foods can be messy, be sure to maintain good water quality.

If he's been in your care of 19 months and isn't dead from a pathogen, it's unlikely that he's going to be dead from some unknown pathogen in the next two weeks.

Spend some time feeding him well and let's see what happens.

 

[NarakuAulonocar]

Matt,

Thanks for your advice. I will try to feed him a more varied diet.

He just ate some pellets today. So far, he has rejected nori and wakame (dried sea weed).

My LFS didn't carry the brand you recommended. I tried some frozen sponge/ angel formula and he refused it.

I'm just concerned about introducing disease via fresh seafood- clams etc.
Should I be? especially since I saw some people introduce ich via unquarantined invertebrates. At our grocery, they tend to mix the shellfish with fish.

 

[caribfan]

Matt,

Thanks for your advice. I will try to feed him a more varied diet.

He just ate some pellets today. So far, he has rejected nori and wakame (dried sea weed).

My LFS didn't carry the brand you recommended. I tried some frozen sponge/ angel formula and he refused it.

I'm just concerned about introducing disease via fresh seafood- clams etc.
Should I be? especially since I saw some people introduce ich via unquarantined invertebrates. At our grocery, they tend to mix the shellfish with fish.

You should be concerned, but typically freezing the food first eliminates any concern regarding introducing disease. On truly finicky eaters, I will go buy an oyster, have it shucked at the store and dump it right in; thats on rare occasions though.

If he's eating pellets, stick with it. Just be sure to try and offer other meaty fresh seafoods.

Where are you located?

 

[NarakuAulonocar]

On my location: NJ

I'm not too far from the shore.

 

[caribfan]

Gotta be a decent shop in New Jersey somewhere selling Larry's product.

 

[TitanCi]

This is a bit outside the box, but do you think it could be stray current causing the twitching?

Have you ever measured or tested for that? The easiest way to do it (especially In the winter) is to stick a finger with a small cut on it in your tank. If there's even the smallest amount of current, you'll feel a small sting.

You could also use a volt meter, but not every one has that and if your home is older, it may not have grounded outlets, which you need to test it properly.

Just a thought.

When you say hunger strikes, how long are we talking?

I've found this method out by accident. Had a power head with a stray current. Didn't know why my clownfish would swim so strangely...

Stuck a hand in with a cut and got zapped! I couldn't believe that was happening, thought it was salt water stinging me. Did it a few more times and sure enough...

 

[NarakuAulonocar]

Ok, after looking at Newsmyrna80's posted picture on Chicago's forum,

I am sure that its scales and not flukes.

Have not posted for a while since, he started eating pellets again at that time.
Around 2 days ago he stopped eating again. :rolleye1: