Banggai stopped eating

oakcityreefer · May 5, 2026

I had three Banggai cardinals that went through QT, Dr Reef, and have been in my tank for a month now. They were doing good for two weeks when one stopped eating. I made the decision if he was alive the next morning I would buy a QT tank and medicate. Unfortunately he was gone the next morning and Ive never found the body. Now two weeks later another one has stopped eating. No stringy poop. Both cardinals seem to breathe heavier than my other fish but no difference between the one that is eating like a pig and this one. Due to the first experience I now have a QT tank and an isolation box.

My question is should I remove the fish to QT and medicate or is an isolation box and medicate sufficient? Should I medicate both cardinals while Im at it or just medicate the one showing a problem? If I should be medicating what should I be medicating? I have Metro and API cure on hand with Focus. Either way should I medicate the whole tank as a prophylactic so other fish dont get sick? Help #fishmedic

vetteguy53081 · May 5, 2026

oakcityreefer said:
I had three Banggai cardinals that went through QT, Dr Reef, and have been in my tank for a month now. They were doing good for two weeks when one stopped eating. I made the decision if he was alive the next morning I would buy a QT tank and medicate. Unfortunately he was gone the next morning and Ive never found the body. Now two weeks later another one has stopped eating. No stringy poop. Both cardinals seem to breathe heavier than my other fish but no difference between the one that is eating like a pig and this one. Due to the first experience I now have a QT tank and an isolation box.

My question is should I remove the fish to QT and medicate or is an isolation box and medicate sufficient? Should I medicate both cardinals while Im at it or just medicate the one showing a problem? If I should be medicating what should I be medicating? I have Metro and API cure on hand with Focus. Either way should I medicate the whole tank as a prophylactic so other fish dont get sick? Help #fishmedic

In groups of two or more, aggression often occurs as well as a dominant male in a group. They are more alert at night which may show an absence of such behavior. As you may have found, they favor frozen foods
I dont know especially without pics if medication is needed but isolation may help. Isolation boxes at times cause fish to injure themselves especially the type with grooves

jmaneyapanda · May 5, 2026

oakcityreefer said:
I had three Banggai cardinals that went through QT, Dr Reef, and have been in my tank for a month now. They were doing good for two weeks when one stopped eating. I made the decision if he was alive the next morning I would buy a QT tank and medicate. Unfortunately he was gone the next morning and Ive never found the body. Now two weeks later another one has stopped eating. No stringy poop. Both cardinals seem to breathe heavier than my other fish but no difference between the one that is eating like a pig and this one. Due to the first experience I now have a QT tank and an isolation box.

My question is should I remove the fish to QT and medicate or is an isolation box and medicate sufficient? Should I medicate both cardinals while Im at it or just medicate the one showing a problem? If I should be medicating what should I be medicating? I have Metro and API cure on hand with Focus. Either way should I medicate the whole tank as a prophylactic so other fish dont get sick? Help #fishmedic

Not saying this is it, but somethng to keep in mind- Bangaiis are mouthbrooders too. So if the male has collected the eggs, he will go on a hunger strike while holding them.

Jay Hemdal · May 5, 2026

oakcityreefer said:
I had three Banggai cardinals that went through QT, Dr Reef, and have been in my tank for a month now. They were doing good for two weeks when one stopped eating. I made the decision if he was alive the next morning I would buy a QT tank and medicate. Unfortunately he was gone the next morning and Ive never found the body. Now two weeks later another one has stopped eating. No stringy poop. Both cardinals seem to breathe heavier than my other fish but no difference between the one that is eating like a pig and this one. Due to the first experience I now have a QT tank and an isolation box.

My question is should I remove the fish to QT and medicate or is an isolation box and medicate sufficient? Should I medicate both cardinals while Im at it or just medicate the one showing a problem? If I should be medicating what should I be medicating? I have Metro and API cure on hand with Focus. Either way should I medicate the whole tank as a prophylactic so other fish dont get sick? Help #fishmedic

Does Dr Reef know if these were imported or were they domestic captive raised?

Imported wild caught and ocean net reared ones are coming in with a specific viral disease - not treatable and with high mortality….very similar symptoms; not eating, rapid breathing, but also clamped fins.

oakcityreefer · May 5, 2026

Jay Hemdal said:
Does Dr Reef know if these were imported or were they domestic captive raised?

Imported wild caught and ocean net reared ones are coming in with a specific viral disease - not treatable and with high mortality….very similar symptoms; not eating, rapid breathing, but also clamped fins.

I just sent an email asking Dr Reef. I also just noticed stringy poo and definitely breathing harder than the other one. Its mouth is slightly open its breathing so hard. I can take a video and post if it helps I hadn't originally because it looked normal other than not eating. I have the QT tank filled and up to temp if needed.

oakcityreefer · May 5, 2026

Jay Hemdal · May 5, 2026

oakcityreefer said:
I just sent an email asking Dr Reef. I also just noticed stringy poo and definitely breathing harder than the other one. Its mouth is slightly open its breathing so hard. I can take a video and post if it helps I hadn't originally because it looked normal other than not eating. I have the QT tank filled and up to temp if needed.

If it is the virus, it only affects this species and there is no treatment, so moving the fish isn’t advisable.

I sent see any other differential diagnosis here…..

oakcityreefer · May 6, 2026

Unfortunately he didn’t last through the night. Now I have to hope if it’s the virus the last one doesn’t get it and if it was something else no other fish gets it. The struggle is real.

20260506_080840_926E6841-9049-4348-B52E-971264209B4A.png

Jay Hemdal · May 6, 2026

oakcityreefer said:
Unfortunately he didn’t last through the night. Now I have to hope if it’s the virus the last one doesn’t get it and if it was something else no other fish gets it. The struggle is real.

Sorry to see.

The open mouth at death is a sign of respiratory collapse, but we already knew it was breathing too fast.

oakcityreefer · May 6, 2026

Jay Hemdal said:
Sorry to see.

The open mouth at death is a sign of respiratory collapse, but we already knew it was breathing too fast.

I dont know if it matters but Dr Reef replied letting me know they were captive bred.

Jay Hemdal · May 7, 2026

oakcityreefer said:
I dont know if it matters but Dr Reef replied letting me know they were captive bred.

That's why I said "domestic captive raised" because some of the "captive raised" ones coming in from SE Asia have also been turning up with this disease.