Foxface panting

[bighaig]

Hi guys. I had a Foxface and a Wrasse in quarantine for about a month now. I did two weeks of cupermine, followed by a water change and one week of no medication, followed by one week of Prazipro. I did another water change yesterday on both my display and QT. the only other thing I did was dose some sugar in the QT as well. Both fish were fine for about 2 hours then I left the house. When I got back the Wrasse was dead and the Foxface was getting blown around the tank by the HOB filter and Powerhead, but still breathing. Immediately moved it to a acclimation box in the display tank. I had no water left for another water change. He has been lying on his side panting for the last 8 hours. Please see video. What can I do? No dots, spots, cotton or anything else visible.

http://youtu.be/wISCVt5DLqI

Thanks

 

[HumbleFish]

the only other thing I did was dose some sugar in the QT as well.

Why did you do this in a QT? I understand why people do it in their DT; although I still think the risks outweigh the benefits. Sugar takes oxygen out of the water, and dosing it in a small QT environment is probably what killed your fish.

 

[Deinonych]

Could be low oxygenation due to the sugar dosing. I only carbon dose in my DT where there is high ORP from the skimmer and powerheads. Not sure there is a need to do it in QT.

edit: Humblefish beat me to it

 

[DerekFF]

Why sugar.........???

 

[bighaig]

I agree. Stupid sugar idea. Now how can I save the foxface?

 

[HumbleFish]

I agree. Stupid sugar idea. Now how can I save the foxface?

He looks pretty bad in that video. So, the damage may already be done. You could try running an air stone in his acclimation box for extra O2. Or point some powerheads towards the surface for extra O2 throughout the entire tank. And stop dosing in the DT for the time being.

 

[bighaig]

Thanks. I added an air stone. Would any meds help? Is this swim bladder?

 

[HumbleFish]

Thanks. I added an air stone. Would any meds help? Is this swim bladder?

The evidence suggests he is suffering from oxygen deprivation and whatever internal damage results from that. He's either going to make a recovery or he's too far gone. IMO treating with any meds would be invasive, and would likely cause more harm than good at this point. How long has it been since he last ate?

 

[bighaig]

Last ate about 10 hours ago.

 

[HumbleFish]

Last ate about 10 hours ago.

He's fine for now. If he hasn't eaten for 4-5 days then I would be concerned. More than a week, and you might want to consider force tube feeding him. But something tells me he will either perk back up or be dead within the next few days.

 

[bighaig]

Thanks. I'm hope he makes it.