HELP! save a Harlequin sweetlips

[madmax7774]

well I went to Minerva for lunch, and next door was a petco. I am need of a powerhead, so I went to check prices. I was shocked to find they had quite a few saltwater fish. I was even more shocked to find a nice 3" harlequin sweetlips in a tank alone and not doinf well. It was floating upside down and swimming very slowly. Not a good sign. I had to rescue it. I am not normally one to act this foolishly, but It just bothered me that the fish was obviously in distress and no give a *@ about it. I bought it like fool, even thought the moron behind the counter said it was "Gonna die anyway" and made me pay full price. So I brought him hame and put him into my 30 gallon small tank. My 30 gallon has a UV sterilizer, and excellent water conditions, so I am hoping to be able to save him. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on how to help this poor guy out??? I apprecaite it.

John

 

:bigcry:

[madmax7774]

uh-oh. Things are going down hill fast. I got him into my 30 gallon and he is floating like he is dead. The gills are still going, but it's not looking good. Anyone have any idea's?

 

:bigcry:

[ErikS]

Your best bet would be the fish disease @ RC.

 

For future reference fish are part of the predator & prey relationship, don't oftenshow any signs of ill health until they're just about dead (weak get eaten 1st).

[rocko918]

no offence but who buys a dying fish? Your not going to save it and now you gave petco more reasons to buy another one.Take it back and get a refund, don't they have some sort of return policy? In stores like that fish die everyday.

[steveoutlaw]

Unfortunately Petco doesn't offer any guarantee on salt water fish.

[flowerseller]

If the fish is swimming upside down then try turning the water over.

[Gatortailale]

Although it's sad to see it looking bad & you had good idea to try to help, I'm sure the transfer to your tank only added to it's stress. Fish was already stressed / near death and then having to acclimate to new water. Very slim chance to make it. I'm sure your current fish didn't make it relaxing for it either. A rescue attempt like this would been best into it's own QT tank with good water and no other stress. Finally, you run the risk of introducing something into your own system by putting a dying fish in yours. Even if you have a UV light, no guarantee it will protect your other critters.

[madmax7774]

well this is unexpected. I guess I learned something today. About 20 minutes after the harlequin was in the tank, the Brittle-star must have sensed he was sick, because all of a sudden he came out of his hole and chased the harlequin all over the place. After a brief but spectacular battle, the brittle-star promply swallowed him whole. I guess when a fish is in distress the brittle-star can tell. In the months I've had the brittle-star, he never once looked at any of his tankmates until now. oh-well. I guess that was the most expensive meal he will ever get. On another note, I am amazed at how far the brittle-star can stretch his stomach to get this fish into him. the fish is larger than he was by at least an inch.