Fox face in distress

[thorden]

My fox face started acting odd av few days ago.

He was hiding behind skimmer pump (HOB), got stuck on the filter draw, and goes into a rock cave and breathes like crazy fast.

His side has turned brownish, so I moved him to my QT.

He will swim around for a while if I poke him with the net (I keep thinking he's dead, I'm not poking him to be cruel), but the he will go float on surface on his side.

I'm guessing this isn't normal, and he's not long for this world, huh?

 

[thorden]

His respiration rate is 144 flaps per minute and it looks.like his tummy is distended. Is it possible hes blocked up? Would squeezing help?
Not trying to be wierd, just tryibg to keep him alive.

 

[pyithar]

if the fish is disease/parasite free, i would just leave him alone in the quarantine tank with good water, dim or no lights , and a couple of pvc to hide. just let the fish calm down and try to feed him when he gets better. that's the only option i think. but you should post it on fish disease forum to get more expert opinions. catching and squeezing the already distressed fish would make the matter worse imo.

 

[Ma_reefer]

Fox. Face can sting so if it was me I wouldn't squeeze

 

[gone fishin]

The fish turning a mottled brown is normal when they are stressed. However breathing heavy is not. Was the fish QT and if so what protocol. It is possible the fish has flukes, ich on the gills or some other parasite. There is a sticky in the fish disease forum for diagnosis I would check it out. Good luck

 

[thorden]

He didn't make it. Given he had venomous spikes on his fins is there anything I need to do to clean out my QT tank?

 

[pyithar]

i'm sorry for your loss. even though foxface(s) have venomous spines, i don't think they would/could release toxins into the water.