Achilles on its last breaths

[Tangdora]

Came home today to my new Achilles practically dead in Qt. Doubt he will make it at this point. UGHHH. From day one he arrived in rough condition. Very lethargic and swimming crooked which I imaged was due to overnight shipping and cold temperatures here in the tri-state. After about a day with some increased flow at O2 I was luckily able to get him back into stable shape. Hasn’t really been eating much, however, recently I have seen him picking more at his Nori clip and mysis and even some flake. The last two days he was doing the best I have seen so far racing in all direction around the tank. Was fine this morning. When I got back, it looked like something ate a chunk out his back. No other fish in the tank with it. Copper test 2.21 when I tested a few mins ago.


View attachment 20260202_210647_A2C940F2-7207-498C-A094-FC3045D97343.mov

 

[vetteguy53081]

Awww man. This fish has severe bacterial issue and possible flukes. The prognosis is bleak as you have already imagined. The issue is a couple of bones showing will heal. This many likely will not

 

[W31Olds]

Just looking at your video and doesn't look good. Agree with Vette likely severe bacterial issue. Probably a long shot but I would transfer him to a second QT Tank or a tote with new water, lower the Temp, and use a broad spectrum antibiotic if you have one. Sad to say the prognosis is poor.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

Yikes, thats crazy. Sorry about that. I imagine that winter storm hitting abnormal areas has made shipping a mess. Keep us updated.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Came home today to my new Achilles practically dead in Qt. Doubt he will make it at this point. UGHHH. From day one he arrived in rough condition. Very lethargic and swimming crooked which I imaged was due to overnight shipping and cold temperatures here in the tri-state. After about a day with some increased flow at O2 I was luckily able to get him back into stable shape. Hasn’t really been eating much, however, recently I have seen him picking more at his Nori clip and mysis and even some flake. The last two days he was doing the best I have seen so far racing in all direction around the tank. Was fine this morning. When I got back, it looked like something ate a chunk out his back. No other fish in the tank with it. Copper test 2.21 when I tested a few mins ago.

Sorry to see. I agree, this looks like a massive systemic bacterial infection. Because antibiotics take a few days to begin to work, the prognosis is poor.

 

[Tangdora]

Thanks for everyone inputs. Unfortunately did not live much longer after the post. Anyone have any ideas what types of infections are so aggressive in general. It’s crazy how fast it deteriorated away. Like no time to even recognize and begin some type of antibiotics. I always been under an assumption till now to never just blindly begins given antibiotic to every fish put into QT at the very beginning if they don’t show any signs. But it seems like I would have had to start day one to catch this one.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

Thanks for everyone inputs. Unfortunately did not live much longer after the post. Anyone have any ideas what types of infections are so aggressive in general. It’s crazy how fast it deteriorated away. Like no time to even recognize and begin some type of antibiotics. I always been under an assumption till now to never just blindly begins given antibiotic to every fish put into QT at the very beginning if they don’t show any signs. But it seems like I would have had to start day one to catch this one.

Yeah... its definitely unusual. I think you might have just got you unlucky.