sleeper goby

[quagmire]

Looks like my goby may have an obstruction in its belly. I noticed a slight bulging in its belly last month and now it appears to be losing girth and the bulge is becoming more pronounced. It has been eating well since the day i got it and has grown about 1" since then. I have had the larger one for almost 4 years and the smaller one for almost 2 years. I don't think that it is a nutritional issue. I have a feeling that this isn't going to end well for it. Anyone have an idea what is wrong with it and how to treat it?

 

[csdavis]

Hmm I have no clue but the first thing that comes to mind is how do they reproduce?

 

[quagmire]

^^^

 

[fish77]

you could try and put your goby in a QT in case it has an internal diease
that your best bet but csdavis might be right about reproducing

 

[quagmire]

Unfortunately i am unable to catch the goby and remove it. The tank is a mixed reef over 200gls and the goby is still healthy enough to out swim the net. I'm bummed. Looks like i will have to wait it out. Thanks for your help.

 

[billsreef]

That's going to be a tough one, especially without being able to get it out. Might be worth playing with a flashlight late at night when they are sleeping Two likely options, one is simple gut impaction, the other intestinal parasites. In either event, getting the goby into a QT is the best bet. For impaction, sometimes hyposalinity has a slight laxitive effect that might help. For intestinal parasites, praziquantel (prazipro as sold in the aquarium market) is the best bet. Some folks have treated prazi in reef tanks without problems, though, some have reported minor side effects with some critters.

 

[quagmire]

Thanks Bill. I have the qt and prazipro ready.

 

[billsreef]

Good luck, and remember, Joe can get fish out of the reef at Atlantis with the flashlight trick, so your tank should be easy

 

[quagmire]

Sad ending. R.I.P. little friend 12-29-09

 

[billsreef]

...

 

[smoothdog]

Sorry for your loss. While most sites list a meaty diet only for these fish, IME they will greedily accept nori sheets. This makes me believe that algae is an important component of their diet. Might be worth it to try it for your remaining sleeper.