Mandarin needs HELP asap! Please advise

[RIGUY314]

Our mandarin needs help just not sure what is wrong. Up until yesterday everything was fine. Yesterday, he was having trouble swimming and looks like he is somewhat stiff. He can't seems to keep to the bottom and is being pushed around the tank by the current. Sometimes he gets a jolt of energy and pushes forwards. he usually eats like a champ (ova w/selcon every day) and even tried yesterday but the little current during feeding he still was moved around. He seems like he wants to move. His fins & tail still move and looks normal weight wise. here are the tank parameters:
PH: 7.9 - 8.0
Nitrates: .02
Nitrites: 0
ammonia: 0
CA: 400
ALK: 8.5
Phosphate: .03
Mag: 1275

Any ideas on what it could be and treatment? Should I move him to the QT? All the input is appreciated.

 

[snorvich]

How long in your tank? Wild caught or ORA?

 

[RIGUY314]

the tank is a 72 gal bow front (4 feet long) and has been set up since 2000 (14 yrs). I have seen this once before with my flame angel but several days later he was completely fine. The Flame angel is doing great. That happened about 2 years ago.

With regards to wild or tank raised, I am not sure. I have had him for just over a year now.

 

[RIGUY314]

anyone have any ideas as to what it might be or what to treat him with? Seems be slowly getting worse and I would like to start a treatment today.

 

[snorvich]

If you have any copepod eaters in your tank, he may be starving.

 

[RIGUY314]

Hi Steve - he is still looks fat and healthy. Lights just came on and his eyes now look blood shot too. any ideas on what to start treatment with?

 

[CRJ]

get him into a QT tank and get him eating. that sounds like a stroke as weird as it may seem.

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve - he is still looks fat and healthy. Lights just came on and his eyes now look blood shot too. any ideas on what to start treatment with?

Mandarins rarely get ich, but they can get velvet. Does his skin appear to have a "white sheen"?

 

[RIGUY314]

Mandarins rarely get ich, but they can get velvet. Does his skin appear to have a "white sheen"?

No white sheen at all. just the stiffness, erratic movements and blood shot eyes. Moved him to QT this morning and started a PraziPro treatment just in case. Will see how he is doing tonight. I have been researching just can't seem to put a finger on it.

 

[RIGUY314]

anyone have any other ideas or suggestions??