Stupid chevron tang has a rock stuck to mouth

[andrewkw]

It's either a rock or possibly a mullosk something roughly the size of a snail. The tang is about 7". It looks like it may have hooked him. He won't really stay still but is able to swim and breathe. Achillies is chasing him thinking he's eating. I am hopeful this will help him lose it. Even if he tears his mouth it would heal. I have to leave for work now. Debated calling in but I don't even know how to explain this here let alone to my boss.

I don't think this will kill him in the 9-10 hours I'm gone but if you think it will please chime in. The only solution I can think of is to drain the tank and remove it manually. I only have two 55 gallon drums and the tank is a 180. I could fill the sump up to the top and empty my non medicated 20g qt tank for extra water storage. I'm so mad at him. Saturday morning I'm going away for a week I have everything ready for the trip and now this.

If anyone has any suggestions that don't invole draining the tank please chime in. Also how long would you be willing to leave a fish in this condition hoping he frees himself. I've had this guy since 2007 and he's my second oldest fish.

 

[Dmorty217]

When did you notice it in his mouth? Honestly if you are going away on Saturday I would just leave the fish alone until you get home and observe him before you leave. A fish you have had since 2007 will be just fine not eating, assuming it doesn't dislodge while you are gone. After that you could catch the fish and use some clove oil to sedate and safely remove the "mollusk". Are you sure it's not a copepod? When is the last time you added something new that was wet?

 

[andrewkw]

He got it this morning. Last night he was fine. He's actually still eating or trying to eat. Also he is banging it against the rock work. It's not a copepod, it's a clam like creature. Maybe a clam I can't think of the name off hand. The kind that are on live rock. I will post a video later since a picture is hard to get.

 

[andrewkw]

Good news he got it off! I will post a pic of the creature tonight. My wife just let me know it's off and he's back to normal. I was not looking forward to draining the tank to help him out.

 

[tylersarah]

Great! Sometimes humans will do more harm than good.

 

[andrewkw]

I'm sorry to say he has died I am pretty broke up about this. I have lost many fish over the years, expensive fish, rare fish, new fish ect but I think this is the longest I've had a fish and then lost him. I only have one fish older then him left. They survived crashes and tank upgrades ect. When you think about having a fish 7+ years that's looking at him swimming 2500+ times since I obviously check the tank at least once a day when I'm home and many times sit and watch them swim.

What is really weird is there is not a trace of him. He's just gone. My Aunt came by and fed 2 frozen cubes of food a day. Everything else was automatic, she watched the fish for a little then left. She never saw him decompose. The corals all look fine. I don't have an ammonia test kit other then the ammonia alert that has been exposed to copper. I will do a big water change tomorrow and put the alert badge in the test water, but nothing appears wrong in the tank.

Here is a picture of what did him in :

Here he was recently.

Gotta find some old pictures back when he was bright orange.

Won't be able to get another chevron until I upgrade to the final tank as a small one wouldn't stand a chance with my Achilles in the 180. When I get the final tank (will be in the 300g range) I will add 2 or 3 more tangs and get a small chevron then.

 

[Nina51]

saw this in the other forum. again, sorry for your loss.

 

[Deinonych]

Sorry for your loss. They are beautiful, especially when transitioning from juvenile to adult coloration like the picture above.

 

[snorvich]

isopod?

 

[andrewkw]

isopod?

I think its a little clam, it has a hard shell and seemed to have closed down on his mouth. He did get it off and I thought all would be okay but obviously it did more harm then initially thought.