I didactylus HELP tail rot

[rayn]

I got home and noticed that the tail is basically gone!!! Then looking at the other fins it seems they are deteriorating as well. I also noticed the the breathing is a little more labored then usual. What can I do? I don't have current parameters but can get them. Water change of 20% last weekend. Only other fish in there is a file fish that took care of the aptasia. Could it be picking on this guy?

Quick edit...he hasn't eaten in atleast a week and a half either

 

[rayn]

I just caught the file fish picking at the didactylus. File fish is OUT!!! While it did a great job of the aptasia it isn't worth my I. didactylus.

So what to do? I have prazipro, bifuran, furan 2, maracyn 2. Fish is by itself again ins 40b with a hob dual filter and a small hob skimmer. I turned the lights down too.

 

[jarrod13]

I would let him chill and calm down for a day or two before changing anything. I'm soooo glad you caught him doing it, my didactylus was killed by two tangs that were picking on him, it stressed him out and killed him very quickly. I'll never keeping ANY kind of grazing fish with my scorps again, I wouldn't have thought a file would have been a problem but I guess there's always an exception. IMO, these fish (scorps) just look too much like rocks to keep them with any fish that gets the majority of it's diet from eating off the rocks

 

[ashtree68]

What kind of filefish was it?

 

[namxas]

Yikes...I was going to say something's picking on the fish, but you found that out. Good to know that the filefish aren't 100% safe, altho we know ANY fish combo isn't 100% safe.

If it's not nibbled down too far, the fin should heal up and the fish will be none the worse for the wear.

 

[rayn]

Hopefully it makes it. I was so peeved that I almost tossed the file fish, but held off and placed it in the sump for now. It is a aptasia eating, I think they are matted? It did a wonderful job of eliminating the aptasia in the tank, I didn't expect this though.

I tried a quick touch of food last night but no luck. He will kinda open then looks like a cough three or four times.

Any of the medication have help any?

 

[namxas]

Usually, for things like that, we simply keep an eye on them just to make sure a secondary bacterial infection develops. You could add some beta glucan to its food if you can get it to eat to bump up the fish's immune system if you like.

 

[rayn]

I see if I can find some. What about vitamin c? I always here you two talking about it.

So far tonight he has stayed buried. No real movements, but still breathing and hanging in there.

 

[namxas]

Renee does indeed use Vit. C as that's easily dosed (she has a liquid version). Vit. B6 and B12 help too. The beta glucan is pretty easy to find in the vitamin section of most stores.

 

[rayn]

I will get some tonight. Is there any issue using them together or do you risk a overdose if combining them?

 

[rayn]

:spin1:
Finally, after two and a half weeks he finally ate tonight!!!!! Hopefully on the upturn now.

 

[AlexS95]

Are his fins looking any better?

 

[rayn]

The spines on top are starting to as is the tail when I can see it. As for the side fins I don't get to see them much as he stays buried most of the time again.

 

[rayn]

Well were are on a two week diet. Eats once every two weeks?! First time to ichthyologist since the 14. All but the front two spines are completely covered in flesh again! Also the tail is almost coveted up again. Not eating much, but recovering from the beating he took alright.

 

[namxas]

Very cool, rayn. It's always nice to see a fish turn around.

 

[rayn]

Well it looks like all is back the way it should be, but maybe the tail a bit

 

[seahorsedreams]

Someone else lost their Yellow spot scorp to a filefish.... I guess these are NOT scorp/lionsafe critters.

 

[namxas]

Good on ya, rayn! The fish is looking great.

Yeppers...no filefish. I guess we must have had "the exception" and not the rule.