Sargassum Hiding Redux

[Chitownpw]

I have had a sargassum trigger for the past 7 yrs. it's always been out and about the tank. Normally the boss of the tank. I haven't introduced any new fish for more than a year. Closest fish in size are a Naso, Mimic and Blotched - there's a couple of wrasses that r getting big. Last few weeks the trigger is locking itself in place and not moving at all. Not sure what's causing. Tried to hand feed it, etc but won't budge. Thoughts?

 

[Myles]

When I have had a long term fish go on a hunger strike I do two things.
First slowly lower the salinity to about 1.020-1.021. This reduces the energy they require to remove excess salts. When you do this monitor your alkalinity,calcium, and magnesium as they may go down too much and require increased dosing.
Second dose a good vitamin supplement into the water as some vitamins can act as an appetite stimulant. If the trigger starts to eat dose the vitamins directly on the food as he will get more.
I don't think you are dealing with one of the common parasites both because you haven't added any fish recently and because if you somehow inadvertently transferred a problem into your tank the trigger wouldn't be the canary in the coal mine.
Good luck with your fish. I have never kept a Sargassum trigger but I love them and they are on my bucket list.
Myles

 

[Chitownpw]

When I have had a long term fish go on a hunger strike I do two things.
First slowly lower the salinity to about 1.020-1.021. This reduces the energy they require to remove excess salts. When you do this monitor your alkalinity,calcium, and magnesium as they may go down too much and require increased dosing.
Second dose a good vitamin supplement into the water as some vitamins can act as an appetite stimulant. If the trigger starts to eat dose the vitamins directly on the food as he will get more.
I don't think you are dealing with one of the common parasites both because you haven't added any fish recently and because if you somehow inadvertently transferred a problem into your tank the trigger wouldn't be the canary in the coal mine.
Good luck with your fish. I have never kept a Sargassum trigger but I love them and they are on my bucket list.
Myles

Thx I have been trying to target feed him with some supplements but he's wedged into the rocks pretty far back there so I can gauge the progress if any. I think he must be getting bullied by a fish that just grew larger or something.


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[Myles]

Who do you have in there that you think is bullying him?
Myles

 

[Chitownpw]

Who do you have in there that you think is bullying him?
Myles

Either a wrasse or blotched anthias but not sure bc I haven't seen him actually get bullied


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