sluggish sailfin tang - not eating

[vid660]

I purchased a small sailfin tang (3 inches long) 10 days ago. It's still in the QT by itself. 5 days ago, it stopped eating. Now it is looking very weak. Gets caught in the current and ends up leaning against the side of the tank. I turned off the powerhead to see how he would react. Now he just leans on the side of the tank. No interest in food. He's mostly upright, but slightly tilted.

He has no visible signs of anything wrong. Just can't seem to find the energy to swim around anymore. Doesn't look good to me.

26g bowfront QT
temp 78 degrees
1.025 SG
ph 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[vid660]

He's even weaker today. I did my weekly water change and he drifted up to the intake on the aquaclear filter. I had to move him off with my hand. Now he's laying on the bottom again.

Not looking good

Anyone???

 

[vid660]

Well.....with nothing to lose at this point. Fish is moved to hospital tank and started treating with maracyn-two. It says it's for fish that won't eat. Hopefully he'll pull through.

 

[vid660]

Also started Hyposalinity treatment.

I'm open to any suggestions.

 

[stevensun]

From my experience, sailfin tang might be the hardiest among tangs. With no signs of parasites, I don't think hyposalinity will do much good. Your water parameters are fine and I think it's very possible the problem of the source- the way they caught the fish. My suggestion would be frequent water changes and watch closely. Best luck to you.

 

[Billybeau1]

If that fish is as bad as you say, hypo will probably kill it. Not a good idea at this point.

I suspect your qt tanks water parameters are suspect. Stopped eating 5 days into qt.

If (and thats a big if) he is still alive by morning, you could try soaking some frozen food in garlic and see if he will eat.

And get a handle on your qt tanks water parameters.

 

[vid660]

He didn't make it.

I tried a few times with frozen food soaked in garlic. He showed no interest then either. That was when he was swimming around fine, just no appetite.

What do you mean by get a handle on my qt water parameters? Am I doing something wrong?

I think I will drain my qt and clean thoroughly. Then put some sponges from my sump in and try again with another fish. Sounds like the sailfin tang is a fish left more for the experts.

 

[Billybeau1]

I'm sorry.

What I meant was the fish was fine before you put him in your qt which makes me think the water parameters in your qt are not right.

Something caused the fish to stop eating. Or sometimes its just a matter of transport and acclimation.

I have found the Sailfin Tang fairly easy to maintain.

I think its a good idea to start over with your qt. I found an lfs so reliable that I don't even qt my new fish. Sometimes thats a good way to go. Less stress, right to the new home.