Possible Lateral Line issue?

[Ambition]

Tonight is the third time I noticed an odd behavior from my Centropyge deborae. I had to go into the room my QT tank is in to grab some things, so naturally turn the room light on with it being dark. The tank light has been off for 3 hours now and I look into the tank after seeing movement. The angel was swimming about the tank and seemed to bump into everything (the rocks, glass panels, etc.). Almost like it lost any way of sensing its visual surroundings. From my understanding the lateral line system can detect objects that are in close proximity (such as if it were about to bump into a rock, etc.), so am I looking at a lateral line issue? During the day when the lights are on, the fish has no issues like this BTW.

 

[Mrs. Music]

Sudden light, from complete darkness can startle and disorient fish. I would focus on correcting the lighting and see if the issue goes away. A small moon light left on, or small night light near the QT will work.

 

[SDguy]

Sudden light will cause this issue. 3 hours of light will not. Isn't this the fish that hasn't eaten anything in how long?

 

[Ambition]

Sudden light will cause this issue. 3 hours of light will not. Isn't this the fish that hasn't eaten anything in how long?

I had a moonlight on the tank before and I noticed the issue then as well. Maybe I should have two...

And Peter, this is the same fish that refuses to eat what I offer for two months. I'm in the process of trying to acquire some oysters, clams (I have a fish food brand right now, trying grocer clams), scallops, and mussels. Things that need some work to get in this land locked state in a small town.

 

[b0bab0ey]

And Peter, this is the same fish that refuses to eat what I offer for two months.

I know this was discussed in another thread, but have you tried nori yet? I have a Lemonpeel that had stopped eating once I transferred him into the DT. This went on for 2 weeks, and I tried everything. He hung out a lot near the substrate, so I put some nori on a clip down there. He started picking at the nori, and then slowly started accepting everything else I put in there. Now he's even eating flake food.

I think sometimes, like with humans, when a fish hasn't eaten in a long time the thought of eating somehow loses it's appeal. Does that make sense? If you're certain he hasn't eaten in two months, I'd seriously consider tube feeding him. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ambition]

I know this was discussed in another thread, but have you tried nori yet? I have a Lemonpeel that had stopped eating once I transferred him into the DT. This went on for 2 weeks, and I tried everything. He hung out a lot near the substrate, so I put some nori on a clip down there. He started picking at the nori, and then slowly started accepting everything else I put in there. Now he's even eating flake food.

I think sometimes, like with humans, when a fish hasn't eaten in a long time the thought of eating somehow loses it's appeal. Does that make sense? If you're certain he hasn't eaten in two months, I'd seriously consider tube feeding him. Just my 2 cents.

The closest thing I have been able to find to nori is SeaVeggies. I've been rubber banding it to clean clam shells, but there doesn't appear to be any bite marks from the fish.

I'm in the process of getting the items needed for tube feeding. Hoping after some tube feedings it will start eating offered foods for me.

 

[b0bab0ey]

The closest thing I have been able to find to nori is SeaVeggies. I've been rubber banding it to clean clam shells, but there doesn't appear to be any bite marks from the fish.

I'm in the process of getting the items needed for tube feeding. Hoping after some tube feedings it will start eating offered foods for me.

Got a Walmart nearby? Go to the Asian food section and buy this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sushi-Party-Toasted-Seaweed-.88-oz/10452799

This is the only nori I use and all my fish love it. If it's safe for human consumption, then it passes a higher QC standard than nori sold as fish food.

Just double check the ingredients, and make sure it only lists nori or seaweed. Nothing else (no spices or anything).

 

[SDguy]

I had a moonlight on the tank before and I noticed the issue then as well. Maybe I should have two...

And Peter, this is the same fish that refuses to eat what I offer for two months. I'm in the process of trying to acquire some oysters, clams (I have a fish food brand right now, trying grocer clams), scallops, and mussels. Things that need some work to get in this land locked state in a small town.

I'm concerned that the disorientation is a symptom of starvation. I hope I'm wrong

 

[Ambition]

I need to take better photos of this guy, but can't take them with him swimming around and the lighting makes everything look extremely dark. Something I noticed on the anal fin (front portion closest to the head) that looks odd. Like a little white ball... Doesn't show up on any of the pictures from in the tank. Bad idea to catch and photograph in a small bowl? Starvation is probably likely, the fins appear to be deteriorating as well (this fish hides from me so somethings I just noticed while hiding around the corner a few minutes ago).

 

[SDguy]

the fins appear to be deteriorating as well

Sorry to hear... not good.

 

[Ambition]

Since the size of the stomach area hasn't changed, is it possible there are internal parasites?

 

[Ambition]

It is now starting to suffer. Seems like over night the stomach area shrunk to virtually nothing, swimming is looking difficult, and the gills look swollen. A friend of mine who got the other C. deborae from the same retailer just had theirs up and die from symptoms of cyanide poisoning.

Now I'm trying to think of how to put it down so it won't suffer any more.

 

[MrTuskfish]

It is now starting to suffer. Seems like over night the stomach area shrunk to virtually nothing, swimming is looking difficult, and the gills look swollen. A friend of mine who got the other C. deborae from the same retailer just had theirs up and die from symptoms of cyanide poisoning.

Now I'm trying to think of how to put it down so it won't suffer any more.

This is always a tough call; but I think you're doing the right thing. Your description of the fish sounds like it was on its way out.

On the cyanide issue: Unfortunately, this problem is still with us. I do everything I can to avoid fish from Indonesia, The Phillipiines , or just labeled "Indo-pacific". There are certainly many good fish from these places; but ( IMO & IME) cyanide is more common in those areas and just the handling & collection practices often leave a lot to be desired. Most fish from these places are also available from other locations. Many LFS don't know the origin of their fish, or even know how to find out. This is another of the many reasons I buy all my fish from our online sponsors. Mainly Live Aquaria/ DD. Blue Zoo also is great when it comes to finding sources of fish that are collected properly. Poor collection not only results in more unhealthy fish; more of the reefs are destroyed by shoddy collectors. Quality collectors & shippers = sustainable fish populations.

 

[Ambition]

This is always a tough call; but I think you're doing the right thing. Your description of the fish sounds like it was on its way out.

On the cyanide issue: Unfortunately, this problem is still with us. I do everything I can to avoid fish from Indonesia, The Phillipiines , or just labeled "Indo-pacific". There are certainly many good fish from these places; but ( IMO & IME) cyanide is more common in those areas and just the handling & collection practices often leave a lot to be desired. Most fish from these places are also available from other locations. Many LFS don't know the origin of their fish, or even know how to find out. This is another of the many reasons I buy all my fish from our online sponsors. Mainly Live Aquaria/ DD. Blue Zoo also is great when it comes to finding sources of fish that are collected properly. Poor collection not only results in more unhealthy fish; more of the reefs are destroyed by shoddy collectors. Quality collectors & shippers = sustainable fish populations.

Yeah, I'm really starting to think about only purchasing from the good suppliers that sponsor RC (LA/DD and Bluezoo). Some stores around me concern me, and the ones that have good quality charge double what the fish are priced elsewhere (Flame angels $80 a piece at a small size).

The use of cyanide today upsets me, but it doesn't help if we as hobbyists purchase the fish they collect (not going to knowingly from now on).