Dracula goby off balance

[mpw213]

Hey everyone, sorry for the long post but can skip to the last part for my actual question

So I had 3 gobies in a pico tank doing really well up until a few months ago. I noticed a clown goby rubbing on rocks with some mucus sloughing so I treated with prazipro. A few weeks later the white cap goby died and a few weeks after than the clown goby died. I then only had a Dracula goby that seemed to be doing great for a few weeks but he started slowing down and only went after food when I spot fed him (I thought maybe it was just very comfortable being the only fish).

Eventually it stopped eating overall and looked like it was off balance (kind of tipping over but able to upright and swim). I removed it and had my LFS put it in there system that has copper and prazipro as a last resort thinking it wouldn’t make it.

2 weeks later and it’s still alive and even started eating frozen again. They said he still seems off balance but otherwise is doing well. I plan to keep my tank empty for 3 months as I suspect a parasite but any idea what would case that? I’ll add that I hadn’t lost a single fish in the year the tank has been running (except a jumper) and this all started a few months after adding the Dracula so I suspect he had something to begin with.

(When he was healthy)

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hey everyone, sorry for the long post but can skip to the last part for my actual question

So I had 3 gobies in a pico tank doing really well up until a few months ago. I noticed a clown goby rubbing on rocks with some mucus sloughing so I treated with prazipro. A few weeks later the white cap goby died and a few weeks after than the clown goby died. I then only had a Dracula goby that seemed to be doing great for a few weeks but he started slowing down and only went after food when I spot fed him (I thought maybe it was just very comfortable being the only fish).

Eventually it stopped eating overall and looked like it was off balance (kind of tipping over but able to upright and swim). I removed it and had my LFS put it in there system that has copper and prazipro as a last resort thinking it wouldn’t make it.

2 weeks later and it’s still alive and even started eating frozen again. They said he still seems off balance but otherwise is doing well. I plan to keep my tank empty for 3 months as I suspect a parasite but any idea what would case that? I’ll add that I hadn’t lost a single fish in the year the tank has been running (except a jumper) and this all started a few months after adding the Dracula so I suspect he had something to begin with.

(When he was healthy)

Sorry, not sure what’s going on here. I don’t suppose you have any video of the goby “leaning”?

Sounds like a parasite was involved since this goby responded to copper/prazi.

Keeping your tank fishless for 60 days will allow any parasites to die out. You’ll need to ensure any new fish are quarantined well else they could bring in new disease.

I understand that’s an issue when a quarantine tank could be larger than your pico display. Buying tank raised direct from Biota is one option, Dr. Reef pre quarantined is another option.

 

[mpw213]

Hey everyone, sorry for the long post but can skip to the last part for my actual question

So I had 3 gobies in a pico tank doing really well up until a few months ago. I noticed a clown goby rubbing on rocks with some mucus sloughing so I treated with prazipro. A few weeks later the white cap goby died and a few weeks after than the clown goby died. I then only had a Dracula goby that seemed to be doing great for a few weeks but he started slowing down and only went after food when I spot fed him (I thought maybe it was just very comfortable being the only fish).

Eventually it stopped eating overall and looked like it was off balance (kind of tipping over but able to upright and swim). I removed it and had my LFS put it in there system that has copper and prazipro as a last resort thinking it wouldn’t make it.

2 weeks later and it’s still alive and even started eating frozen again. They said he still seems off balance but otherwise is doing well. I plan to keep my tank empty for 3 months as I suspect a parasite but any idea what would case that? I’ll add that I hadn’t lost a single fish in the year the tank has been running (except a jumper) and this all started a few months after adding the Dracula so I suspect he had something to begin with.

(When he was healthy)

Sorry, not sure what’s going on here. I don’t suppose you have any video of the goby “leaning”?

Sounds like a parasite was involved since this goby responded to copper/prazi.

Keeping your tank fishless for 60 days will allow any parasites to die out. You’ll need to ensure any new fish are quarantined well else they could bring in new disease.

I understand that’s an issue when a quarantine tank could be larger than your pico display. Buying tank raised direct from Biota is one option, Dr. Reef pre quarantined is another option.

Thanks! Unfortunately no video until I go back to that store . I’m planning on leaving it in the store for that time if it survives with my tank empty and then I’ll add him back. My next fish after the Dracula will be another white cap that’s been paired with a pistol in an isolated system for 9 months (because they thought it died and recently found it) so hopefully that won’t be an issue once my tank is cleared.