Blue strip pipefish dying???

MWrasse

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Can anyone tell me what is going on with my pipefish? I got him yesterday, he ate and was swimming around well and then this morning he hid all day and seems to be just laying on the substrate. Not even moving when the sail touches him. He ate like two copepods and started laying like this. Salinity 1.025, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20ppm. 30 gallon tank. Also seems to have some labored breathing?
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MWrasse

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He spent the whole day on the ceiling of a cave upside down which after some research, I guess is normal?
 

Jay Hemdal

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He spent the whole day on the ceiling of a cave upside down which after some research, I guess is normal?

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

The rapid breathing and lethargy are really serious issues.

Can you post a video? I can't really see much in the photo.
How long has the tank been set up? This species does best in well established tanks.
 

vetteguy53081

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