Butterflyfish is so weak and limp

bensoo00

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My butterflyfish was like floating around and just basically limp through the tank at night. He became really timid and slow after I introduced a long nose hawk fish but I’ve never seen them fight. I do assume he has been injured but I don’t know what to do. He is breathing and sometimes swims but he is just letting the flow carry him around.
IMG_0965.jpeg
 

Mikeltee

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I suggest quartining all fish before you add them. When it is not qt it can be used as a hospital tank. This guy would go in it for observation.
 

TangerineSpeedo

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To avoid any more stress I would say put him in a large acclimation box inside your tank, or do a 5g tank with water from your tank. Be sure to put in a hide (PVC pipe) Let him try to get oriented again.
 

vetteguy53081

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My butterflyfish was like floating around and just basically limp through the tank at night. He became really timid and slow after I introduced a long nose hawk fish but I’ve never seen them fight. I do assume he has been injured but I don’t know what to do. He is breathing and sometimes swims but he is just letting the flow carry him around.
IMG_0965.jpeg
Unfortunately this fish is moribund and likely not able to eat or swim from this point forward
Quarantining will make things worse
I can’t suggest any method or medication to change stathis of health
Some causes are:
Injury
Starvation
Internal issues
Aggression
Water quality
 

Freshwater filter only or is it? Have you ever used an HOB filter on a saltwater tank?

  • I currently use a HOB filter on my reef tank.

    Votes: 53 25.1%
  • I don’t currently use a HOB filter on my reef tank, but I have in the past.

    Votes: 53 25.1%
  • I have used a HOB on fish only or quarantine tanks, but not on the display tank.

    Votes: 50 23.7%
  • I have never used a HOB on a saltwater tank.

    Votes: 51 24.2%
  • Other.

    Votes: 4 1.9%
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