Sailfin shedding weight

[Capt_Cully]

Ive had it 7 years. It started out in a 72. Went to a 180. Then spent a year in a 1' deep x 6' long frag bin. Now been in my 200 about 2 years. I suspect its not doing well in the 3' x 4' footprint now that its grown quite large. Twice the size of my purple & tomini tangs. It doesn't really get to spread its wings like it can in a long tank.

I've always only fed frozen mysis. I've tried flake, pellets, lettuce, nori, greens in the past to no avail, but never really cared as all the fish were fat & happy, and the salifin was the fattest. Lately its been shedding weight and I'm concerned for sure.

I can't control the tank size. I can feed whatever you fish pros recommend. I can help you with water conditions and coral all day long. Aside from compatibility and some basics, I'm not well versed in fish problems. In fact, this is the second or third fish I ever purchased. (I maintain mine is a coral tank with fish in it, not the opposite)

Any help?

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Is the fish taking mysis?

Any new fish introductions recently?

 

[Capt_Cully]

No new fish.

Pounds mysis.

Still picks at algae. Seems ok otherwise. Just dropping weight. I've increased feeding amount but she can only eat as fast as she can eat. There is competition.

What are your early thoughts?

 

[Conesus_Kid]

My first thought was an internal parasite (most likely flukes), especially since it's eating well.

FWIW, I have treated my full-blown reef (SPS, LPS, nems) with PraziPro with no ill effects.

I'd wait for some of the gurus to chime in before heading in that direction.

I only think you'd have success with pellets if you completely stopped feeding mysis for a while. I'm partial to New Life Spectrum pellets. In fact, that's what makes up 95% of my fishes' diet.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I added some peppermints about a month ago. Other than that, nothing, not a rock, coral, or anything in a few months.

Fluke from arthropod to a fish? Not likely right?

(By experts you mean Tom, right?)

 

[Conesus_Kid]

(By experts you mean Tom, right?)

Yup.

 

[block head]

I like prazi pro. Lots of creepy crawlies. I'd trap it and treat in a tote. Maybe try making friends with salad again. Some frozen veggie mixes couldn't hurt. Salfins are usually pretty tough. A quick fw dip might reveal hidden beasties . Pretty rare Imo that something doesn't fall off when dipping.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Maybe try soaking your mysis in selco/selcon for some added nutrition?

 

[GMaquarium]

Try adding an auto feeder with multiple feedings daily. Lace frozen and seaweed foods with metronidazole, feed that heavier day before water changes. Although lack of swim space can stress a fish out, I don't think it's loosing weight because of. Perhaps nutrition changed, less natural food growing in tank? Adding selcon, omega3 and garlic to its diet is a good idea.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Any updates, Mark?

 

[EllieSuz]

I'm having the same problem with a Starry Blenny. His appetite is fine, but he's clumsy compared to the other fish and has gotten really thin. I'm using the target feeder thingie to offer him more pellets, mysis, etc. The other possibility is that he's just nearing the end of his natural life. He was full size when I got him, so no telling how old he is. Sometimes they just fail to flourish due to old age.

 

[Steve Canyon]

How much is she eating Mark? My big girl eats a 1/2 sheet of nori 2x per day. The foxface, yellow tang and eng. gobies share another sheet between them... about 6 scoops of pellets and a heaping tbls of dried krill after the salad.. A big pinch of spirolina flake for desert. that said, my phosphate level is beyond belief... They sure are fat and happy though.

 

[Steve Canyon]

Sometimes they just fail to flourish due to old age.

EllieSuz may be on to something here.
Might your's be nearing the end of natural life?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

half gallon of ice cream an hour before bed time will inflate the spare tire

 

[Steve Canyon]

half gallon of ice cream an hour before bed time will inflate the spare tire

a 12 pack will do the same thing. :beer:

Joking aside (about you not knowing what you're doing with regards to husbandry) 6-7 weeks since the original post- How is she doing? Have you tried any of the recommended meds?

 

[Capt_Cully]

Points are moot. RIP Finny.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

Sorry Mark, I saw she wasn't well.

 

[Capt_Cully]

She was weakening but ultimately got too close to one of the Vortechs overnight. Spent the night plastered to the top of it. I freed her up, but she was only so strong after that. Bummer for sure. A crowd pleaser.