Sonicblast12
New member
Acclimating...
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
New Melichthys indicus
- Thread starter Sonicblast12
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Sonicblast12
New member
Found it at the LFS labeled as a Black Durgon (Melichthys niger)
It was housed with a big wrasse that was taking bites out of it, so it has a few places that need to heal including a concerning spot near the eye that could either be an injury or lymph. But it's curious, active, and hungry so I don't believe it's anything a little TLC can't fix.
I just stuffed it full of food and I'll take some more pictures when the water clears. It's more olive green than it is black.
It was housed with a big wrasse that was taking bites out of it, so it has a few places that need to heal including a concerning spot near the eye that could either be an injury or lymph. But it's curious, active, and hungry so I don't believe it's anything a little TLC can't fix.
I just stuffed it full of food and I'll take some more pictures when the water clears. It's more olive green than it is black.
Sonicblast12
New member
Here's the spot near the eye.
humaguy
Premium Member
She is beautiful but thin...keep her well fed and maintain your healthy water parameters and she should be fine...don't like the looks of the cyst but that too can be treated...but, really, she is beautiful...I love all that gold on her body...
what are you feeding her?
have you tried rod's?
what are you feeding her?
have you tried rod's?
kingfisherflesh
New member
+1 looks a little thin, but cool fish!
I would go with roggers before rods. Less phosphates...better mix of ingredients. Stays in whatever chunk size you break it into for very easy feeding.
I would go with roggers before rods. Less phosphates...better mix of ingredients. Stays in whatever chunk size you break it into for very easy feeding.
humaguy
Premium Member
roggers is good too..use both..and fed both the same way..wrapped in a piece of mesh and clipped to magnet...allows all fish to graze...roggers does hold up better thru out the day...though, for my big trigs and angels- I like the big chunks of shrimp, clams and scallops found in the rods predator mix...
but totally agree with Kingfish- both great foods...
but totally agree with Kingfish- both great foods...
kingfisherflesh
New member
True...they might like the chunks more, just didnt know if this guy was small he might not like the "pred mix".
Something cool about Roggers that you probably already know is that their seafood is not treated with anything...including the phosphates that are put on pretty much all seafoods (Even the stuff you buy at the market
) to preserve it. I dont know how they do this, but it should start giving them a big leg up in the food industry. Lots of coral shops are switching over to them and doing sponsorships.
Sonicblast12
New member
This trigg has taken nearly every food I've tried, even a bit of nori. The hard NLS pellets are a work in progress.
When I acclimate new fish I stuff them full several times a day and then vacuum out the excess. I think it's better for them to associate your presence with food and happiness as soon as possible.
I hate seeing the hollow cheeks and thin belly of fish like this. Shouldn't take long to fill out, it just ate it's body weight in frozen shrimp soaked in selcon after sampling some pellets.
One thing I've noticed with new triggers, if the LFS does not have an adequate hiding spot the fish won't trigger into a spot and will then have a hard time keeping on weight. This fish was in a nearly bare tank and had nowhere to go to sleep. When that happens they helicopter in place and burn calories. I've had that happen several times, the fish wouldn't put on weight until they found a good hiding spot.
More peaceful triggers like Melichthys or Xanthichthys are easy to acclimate and fatten up because they are either hiding or eating.
When I acclimate new fish I stuff them full several times a day and then vacuum out the excess. I think it's better for them to associate your presence with food and happiness as soon as possible.
I hate seeing the hollow cheeks and thin belly of fish like this. Shouldn't take long to fill out, it just ate it's body weight in frozen shrimp soaked in selcon after sampling some pellets.
One thing I've noticed with new triggers, if the LFS does not have an adequate hiding spot the fish won't trigger into a spot and will then have a hard time keeping on weight. This fish was in a nearly bare tank and had nowhere to go to sleep. When that happens they helicopter in place and burn calories. I've had that happen several times, the fish wouldn't put on weight until they found a good hiding spot.
More peaceful triggers like Melichthys or Xanthichthys are easy to acclimate and fatten up because they are either hiding or eating.
Sonicblast12
New member
This fish is about three inches, maybe 3.5. Do they darken with age? The two on DD are considerably larger and have darker color. This one is almost as green as a pinktail.
Sonicblast12
New member
Look how much this fish has filled out in 48 hours. The bad part is that I've spoiled the fish to such an extent I have weaned it off of prepared foods. Oops.
Tuesday
Today
Tuesday
Today
Sorry about the quality, still adjusting and doesn't want to come out of hiding unless there is food in the water column.
Not so glad to see no improvement in the spot by the eye...it has gotten worse if anything. Do I need to explore medicating this? Maracyn?
Tuesday
Today
Tuesday
Today
Sorry about the quality, still adjusting and doesn't want to come out of hiding unless there is food in the water column.
Not so glad to see no improvement in the spot by the eye...it has gotten worse if anything. Do I need to explore medicating this? Maracyn?
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jjk_reef00
New member
Hilarious!! What have you been feeding him?
Nice contrasting pics. You must be injecting him with HGH along with the food? WOW. Glad to see the thinness before the eyes fill up good. Glad he found a great home.
I agree with feeding heavy too. I think the more they eat, the healthier they are/can be. My trigs are about 3/4" to 1 inch thick and they are about 4-7 inches long.
Hopefully the 'cyst' is going away - getting smaller.
I agree with feeding heavy too. I think the more they eat, the healthier they are/can be. My trigs are about 3/4" to 1 inch thick and they are about 4-7 inches long.
Hopefully the 'cyst' is going away - getting smaller.
Sonicblast12
New member
Was eating pellets, flakes, and everything else on the first day. After a couple of days stuffing the fish full of shrimp and fish flesh, it doesn't show interest in much else. While pellets and flakes and frozen float by and settle on the bottom, it hovers in place and begs for the meat!
Gets what it wants, of course, and then dashes for the cave.
D5HP
New member
Beautiful fish..awesome transition over such a short period of time.
Are there any risks associated with such rapid weight gain in fish? Obviously I would want a fish to recover that quickly as well and you certainly had to be feeding her constantly over two days...but it looks like it has paid off handsomely.
Looks great and it's wonderful seeing her nice and plump!
Are there any risks associated with such rapid weight gain in fish? Obviously I would want a fish to recover that quickly as well and you certainly had to be feeding her constantly over two days...but it looks like it has paid off handsomely.
Looks great and it's wonderful seeing her nice and plump!
Sonicblast12
New member
It's a trigger, it won't be long before it's willing to eat cardboard if I toss it in.
I actually haven't been feeding that crazy. I turn on the lights for about four hours a day and feed. Most of it's day is spent in that near comatose state triggers reach when they sleep. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has thought a trigger was dead in a rock only to find it swim out when the rock is moved.
I actually haven't been feeding that crazy. I turn on the lights for about four hours a day and feed. Most of it's day is spent in that near comatose state triggers reach when they sleep. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has thought a trigger was dead in a rock only to find it swim out when the rock is moved.
humaguy
Premium Member
true about the cardboard...but, we all go out of our to feed our pets well and keep them as healthy and happy as possible...I hit my local fish monger at least 2 times every week for fresh items...it does make a difference...
can't wait to see her in a year...
What size is that tank???
Can't wait to see my big trigs and angels after I drop them in my new tank...
Please keep updating us...I love that trig!!
can't wait to see her in a year...
What size is that tank???
Can't wait to see my big trigs and angels after I drop them in my new tank...
Please keep updating us...I love that trig!!
Sonicblast12
New member
That is one of those little aquapods, it's great for a qt tank. Not sure how many gallons. 15-20 maybe.
I haven't figured out which DT to use after QT, probably the 125. Realistically it isn't my decision to make, aggression will determine where this one ends up.
I haven't figured out which DT to use after QT, probably the 125. Realistically it isn't my decision to make, aggression will determine where this one ends up.
