Livestock question

[Editour2]

This is more of a philosophical discussion rather then a question but maybe someone can shed some light on this topic. Why do certain fish thrive for months or years and then suddenly decide to stop eating and die within a day or two? I had a lineatus wrasse that thrived for 8 months in my tank and ate like a pig. One day he wasn't interested during feeding"¦the next day he was hiding during the lighting period and by the third day he was dead, (this happened about 6 to 8 months ago). I had another wrasse that was in my tank for years and then he disappeared and I never saw him again. Yesterday I noticed one of my two pyramid butterflies hiding behind rockwork"¦.I have two for over two years"¦.they eat everything voraciously. During yesterday's feeding time he had little to no interest. This morning"¦.the butterfly is doing tumblesaults in the tank and doesn't have enough strength to swim against the current generated by the powerheads. I suspect he will be dead by the time I come home from work, (although I moved him to the QT tank....less flow). No other fish are effected"¦.these are isolated events over time"¦or at least I think so"¦..can anyone shed some light on this"¦.it's very frustrating. Is there some type of intervention that would prevent the outcome? I am talking here today and gone tomorrow.

 

[lagatbezan]

has there been any new addition to the tanks that could have brought something in with them? maybe flukes?

 

[Editour2]

No new additions...................I quarantine all new fish and dip all new corals prior to adding to the tank.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Frank -
Fish, man or beast, when your # is up it's up!

 

[Editour2]

Intuitive!!!!
All kidding aside.....I would like to know....if: a) there is any way to save the fish
b) is there some way to prevent this from happening, OR c) if I am doing something wrong.
I added PraziPro to the QT tank....but it's probably too late....there was no signs of fluke...just one day eating and the next day NOT.

 

[lagatbezan]

I feel your pain! hopefully it makes it. If not, do a fresh water dip on it and see if anything fall off it! nothing might since you added prazipro recently, but worth a try.

 

[MIKE NY]

Frank -
Fish, man or beast, when your # is up it's up!

x2...unfortunately this is true...happens to me all the time..I just recently lost a pair of Sunbursts which I had for a couple of years..one went and less than a week the second went....I observed when a fish stops eating thats it, however I have had fish that look like they are deaths door, thin, cloudy eyes, missing scales, red patches etc...and if I can entice them to keep eating they usually build up their immune system and survive....but to answer your question it could be caused by a number of different factors, parasitic, viral, bacterial ..also a factor is we really don't know the life expectancy of many of these species of fish.....we just try to meet their needs by providing a good enviroment, water quality, diet, suitable tankmates etc...hopefully they survive....for me, even after all these years, its all apart of the challange and the enjoyment of keeping a reeftank.

 

[Editour2]

Thanks Mike....

Update: Last night the Pyramid was swimming upright (I treated the QT w/PraziPro in the AM). He didn't eat but showed some interest......I went to bed feeling optimistic... HOWEVER this morning when I checked on him he was back to spinning around the tank again...so not feeling optimistic now. Funny thing is that he looks fine...no cloudy eyes...no fraying of the fins or discoloration.....perplexing!!!