Problematic Male Bangaii Broodstock - Sick?

[mwp]

OK, so this one is beyond strange and I have no answers. I'm hoping that some of you who've bred a lot of Bangaiis (like Frank) may have experience with this.

I've had my pair of CB Bangaiis for about a year now...purchased at probably 3-4 months of age. The last spawn was on 10-5. By 10-8 it appeared that the spawn had been consumed, although around 10-12 I "reconsidered". At 10-28 I pulled the male, who had not feed since 10-5, thinking he was still holding a few babies and was more than ready to "give them up". As it turns out, he was holding NOTHING.

It is now 11-19-06, and I have STILL not seen this male feed. He typically hangs out in the back corner...normally prior to the 10-5 spawn he'd come out to feed, but the back corners is HIS spot. Since 10-5 he only leaves the corner at night.

I bit the bullet; Renee picked up some Live Adult Brine this afternoon (18th), and when I returned from a fishing trip this evening I enriched the batch with Selcon. Just at midnight, with the male out and about with the female, I fed a good portion of live brine. What I've seen has me more than worried...he is not that interested in even the live brine, and the few he took appear to have been spit back out almost immediately.

This fish has fasted a total of 44 days. It appears slightly "less alert", and at this point while 'thin' he looks no more thin than when he's been holding eggs for a few days. This truly has me stumped.

ANY THOUGHTS? Would hate to lose this fish.

Matt

 

[mwp]

Still no observed feeding, although the male again munched on, but ultimately spit out, live brine. As a frame of reference, the female ate, but not with gusto (she's had plenty of food today). I'm wondering if the male is simply "sneaking" food when hanging out in his "back spot".

Maybe a fasting day or two may change things?

Anyone had any experiences like this with their Bangaii broodstock (i.e. loss of feeding gusto when utilizing satiation-based feeding routines?)

Matt

 

[David M]

IME they are not big eaters. All of my adults take a few bs and mysis twice daily but nothing like a comparable sized clown will eat. The males often neglect food entirely even when not holding and they are reclusive as a rule. I have 5 pairs isolated and 14 extra adults, all are casual about eating.

 

[mwp]

Well David, that info helps ease my mind a bit. We'll see how things go in the next few weeks. Up until this point though, I would've considered him a TOTAL PIG; it's a definite change in behavior, but maybe he's just hit that point of maturity now where he doesn't need to eat like he used to...

Thanks for the input!

Matt

 

[papagimp]

My male and female breeding pair both eat like pigs. As much food as they can catch. The female will devoire a full mysis cube on her own if she gets the chance. The male doesn't eat a whole cube but i wouldn't put it past him. Currently the male is on his second clutch since I've owned them. (if your interested I have a breeding log here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=969634 ) I'm awfully proud of my babies, the little tykes are finally starting to get their spots here and their at 5-6 weeks old.

 

[dark_stranger]

Hi Matt, i wouldnt worry about it as my male seems to be doing the same. They were consatantly breeding up until about a 6wks ago & now they are both ingoning each other & hanging around diff parts of the tank. I have read that they are seasonal breeders & therefore this may explain the cold shoulder/lack of appitite.

 

[mwp]

Ya know, we're at 59 days now, and the male Bangaii STILL has not fed. There may have been a spawn that went unnoticed as I've been out of town a few times in the last couple weeks, but in general, it's now 59 days without feeding?.

Again, this guy used to eat with gusto. He doesn't appear to be starving, but definitely isn't as robust as I'd want him to be. I have no clue what's going on as stated before...the fish outwardly appears 100% healthy, just isn't visibly feeding!

Matt

 

[aomont]

Hi Matt, have you seen he shedding feces any time ? If you do, could try to get them and put under the scope to check for parasites.
Anderson.

 

[mwp]

70 days without feeding?!. I finally noticed something abnormal BESIDES the fact that the male bangaii is not feeding...it's only breathing with the left gill. FLUKES?! I think he's going to get a FW dip tonight.

Matt

 

[Peter Schmiedel]

Matt,

the none feeding and the breathing with one gill sounds to me more like a tumor in the throat region. I am afraid you will not be able to cure this fish. You would have to anesthetize the fish to properly check it out and I don't hink this is possible.

 

[mwp]

Peter, it could be. Never got around to doing ANY FW dips this weekend, but I will the moment I get the chance. If that fixes it, we'll have an answer!

Matt

 

[mwp]

84 days without feeding. At this point I'm convinced our male IS actually feeding, perhaps lightly, without being observed. 2 days ago (12-27-06) he was holding eggs...of course they are now gone.

FWIW,

Matt