dbartco November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 I feel like force feeding my Naso. Since last Fri, my naso stopped eating. Thurs he was eating nori and mysis, and now shows no interest in eating. Stomach is now sunken, color much darker. All other mates doing fine, and he was/still is the boss of the tank. Just hangs out in one side of the tank, occasisionally doing a "stretch" of his dorsal, being a little mopey. Copperband, yellow, anthias, hippo, clowns, inverts, corals, not affected. Have had the naso for about 2 years. Previous owner had for 2 as well. Water params have been stable for the few months from what I have been testing regularly (I had some alk swings affecting some of my sps) - ph, calc, dkH, phos. - fine Have not tested nitrates or amon in probably a year, but tank is doing fine, and water changes have been regular, and tank set up for 2.5 years. Ground probe is in. Once this starts, is there any stopping, or do I watch him wither away?
BeltwayBandit November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 While I don't know what might be wrong with your Naso, I did stumble across this paper which gives some very good information regarding max size and life expectancy for reef fishes. http://striweb.si.edu/publications/PDFs/ross_97.pdf
ErikS November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 Can't help, but I can sympathize Sometimes it just seems if they get some sort of disease/internal infection
steveoutlaw November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 I can sympathize as well. http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10326 It's a horrible thing to watch. I hope he recovers.
F&Fmgr November 15, 2006 November 15, 2006 Just a stab, but can you try and collect feces from the fish, if its an internal nematode not much you can do. if its a trematode, it can be treated quite effectively. LMK if I can help. Sean
Grav November 15, 2006 November 15, 2006 Doug, Also taking a stab... Try garlic, another eating stimulator, and/or new foods. Do you have live macro? Internal parasites sound like reasonable possibilities, but I wouldn't expect them in a fish that is 4 years (??) in captivity. Sean, what treatment would you suggest for trematode? If the alternative is slow death, and you have a QT for the treatment, why not take a shot at it without diagnosis???
F&Fmgr November 15, 2006 November 15, 2006 well for the nematodes, youd have to administer orally one of the -zine meds( i.e. piperazine). for trematodes, digenean, prazi immersion can be effective if done for 3-4 weeks. any organophosphate derived compuond should do the trick. Just thought of something doug, the USDA has a lab office in Warrenton. you can drop fecal off there where they can examine it with better equipment and knowledge than I have. they only charge 15- 30 bucks as well for fecal stains. You could always dip the fish in wormwood tea, might have a psychadelic response but just an idea. Sean
traveller7 November 15, 2006 November 15, 2006 well for the nematodes, youd have to administer orally one of the -zine meds( i.e. piperazine). .....Sean, Any luck tracking down a decent source of piperazine citrate? I have been eyeballing the Erliworm dog wormer for emergencies. Scott
dbartco November 15, 2006 Author November 15, 2006 Suprisingly, last night and this mornig I went down and he "greeted" me for the first time in a week. He seemed interested in eating, at least a response, but did not ingest anything. But this is promising! Tried garlic and selcon soaked PE mysis, put in some live macro and the regular nori. Also tried fresh chopped mussels and clams. the others loved it.... Sister is a vet, so I can probably look into some of those meds, but need to research dosage. I thinking I should wait at least a day or two to see if this new found eagerness might turn. Constipation or similar? I haven't been able to suck up any poo!
Gadgets November 15, 2006 November 15, 2006 Good luck. I hope that he pulls through and starts eating. I lost my emperor angel for an unknown reason. Sometimes things are just out of our control.
F&Fmgr November 15, 2006 November 15, 2006 Sean, Any luck tracking down a decent source of piperazine citrate? I have been eyeballing the Erliworm dog wormer for emergencies. Scott I have just started maintaining a 120 reef tank at pharmacy in the area that has an in house compuonding lab, they have assured me that if it doesnt violate dispension laws, that i can get whatever I want. I will ask them about it on friday. Sean I have just started maintaining a 120 reef tank at pharmacy in the area that has an in house compuonding lab, they have assured me that if it doesnt violate dispension laws, that i can get whatever I want. I will ask them about it on friday. Doug, LMK if I can help in anyway. Sean
davelin315 November 21, 2006 November 21, 2006 Hey Doug, you can actually force feed fish. I think there was some information on it posted on the thread Rob/Neon posted about the purple tang he picked up from someone getting rid of their tank.
dbartco November 30, 2006 Author November 30, 2006 A update for those who offered advice. I have now named one of my fish that I swore I would never do. Dingbat might be good. Or for the Mencia fans, Doot da dah. After a nine day hiatis from eating (that I was intently watching), he was chowing down again. No clue what it was or if something was passed. But thanks for the advice form everyone.
davelin315 November 30, 2006 November 30, 2006 Maybe he was just using passive aggression to object to confinement. He's one of those ingenious individuals who think that going on a hunger strike will free him from his bonds. Does he by any chance have a view of a drain of some sort and has he seen Finding Nemo? The other alternative explanation is that he's found religion and as an act of cleansing himself he fasted for his past sins... or he's jealous of Nicole Richie's frame. Aha, that's what you should call him. Nicole.
Charlie97L November 30, 2006 November 30, 2006 (edited) glad to hear it doug!!! maybe he was dieting in anticipation of the holiday weight he's sure to put on. he'll have to fit into that size 4 versacce slime coat come summer, ya know. Edited November 30, 2006 by Charlie97L
GaryL November 30, 2006 November 30, 2006 (edited) A update for those who offered advice. I have now named one of my fish that I swore I would never do. Dingbat might be good. Or for the Mencia fans, Doot da dah. After a nine day hiatis from eating (that I was intently watching), he was chowing down again. No clue what it was or if something was passed. But thanks for the advice form everyone. maybe he is a dork fish. did you catch him with a corndog? Edited November 30, 2006 by GaryL
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