Banggai Cardinal fish sleeping(?) On sand.

[ReefWitch]

I got this guy 6 days ago and he has been swimming around and not eating, which I figured he was stressed or had eggs in his mouth or something. I'm feeding HIKARI BIO-PURE Spirulina mysis and brine shrimp twice a day. My two baby clowns are doing fine and so is my cleaner shrimp and corals. But now he is laying on the sand??? I thought he was dead at first so I went to grab him with tongs and he woke up and swam away for a bit before laying back down. He is still not eating and now I am really concerned. I noticed this behavior at 10pm (a few hours after the light's night cycle started) when I got home from work. He does not appear to be breathing hard and his gills look normal.

Is there something I can do for him? I dont want to loose him. All my parameters are safe as far as I know.

 

[ReefWitch]

I'm leaving him in the tank overnight(I dont have a quarantine tank). I'll update on if he is responsive in the morning.

 

[ReefWitch]

Another pic

 

[vtecintegra]

Looks like a goner. From my experience, when they darken up, they are very sick.

 

[Kiboshed]

They have very specific dietary needs. Mine will ONLY eat frozen food and I have heard others say the same. They can be acclimated to dry foods, but it takes a while.

Definitely doesn't look good. Probably starving to death.

 

[seaofbytes]

They have very specific dietary needs. Mine will ONLY eat frozen food and I have heard others say the same. They can be acclimated to dry foods, but it takes a while.

Definitely doesn't look good. Probably starving to death.

Didn't he say he feeds frozen mysis and brine?
Any updates on the little guy?

 

[Kiboshed]

Didn't he say he feeds frozen mysis and brine?
Any updates on the little guy?

OP didn't specify if it was frozen or freeze dried. HIKARI sells both.

 

[ReefWitch]

It is frozen. He died yesterday morning unfortunately.

 

[Kiboshed]

It is frozen. He died yesterday morning unfortunately.

dang. Sorry to hear that.

Best advice I can give is to post your specific parameters and the size of your tank and it's other inhabitants and that might point us in the direction of the cause.