Firefish, Sick or stressed?

[crazybanana2]

I recently got this firefish on march 24th. He is currently in my quarantine tank, observation only so no medicines or treatments. The first week he was really shy and then from week 1-2ish he would come out, but recently it seems like he found a new hiding spot, which is the corner of the tank right behind the filter (it is a corner hob). He constantly stays there and whenever he comes out, it seems like he is a bit tilted and his dorsal fin looks frayed or weaker and thinner. Not sure what to do, I am currently hoping he’ll become less stressed, but not sure if it is an internal parasite or disease in which I would treat for (i have never dosed any medicines/treatments and this is my first fish that i qt) Also, it seems like he is eating ok but it is just hard to feed him when he is in the corner

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

You've had the fish since March, so its been in observation for 3 months? It does look thin, what kind of food are you feeding and how often? Personally I would add an airstone to the tank, it looks very still. #fishmedics for more help.

 

[crazybanana2]

You've had the fish since March, so its been in observation for 3 months? It does look thin, what kind of food are you feeding and how often? Personally I would add an airstone to the tank, it looks very still. #fishmedics for more help.

Sorry I meant May, I’ve been trying to feed it pellets and mysis shrimp but because it is in the corner it is very hard to

 

[W31Olds]

Mine is not crazy for Pellets but eats Brine Shrimp and Mysis. Firefish need a good place to hide to feel safe and not stressed. Mine has a hole under a Rock that he spends 90% of his time under, but as soon as he smells food comes out to eat. The are not super active fish so don't need to eat a lot and will eat small bits of food in the Water Column. Yours needs a better hiding spot and you should may sure food passes by his hiding spot.

 

[crazybanana2]

Mine is not crazy for Pellets but eats Brine Shrimp and Mysis. Firefish need a good place to hide to feel safe and not stressed. Mine has a hole under a Rock that he spends 90% of his time under, but as soon as he smells food comes out to eat. The are not super active fish so don't need to eat a lot and will eat small bits of food in the Water Column. Yours needs a better hiding spot and you should may sure food passes by his hiding sp

 

[crazybanana2]

Mine is not crazy for Pellets but eats Brine Shrimp and Mysis. Firefish need a good place to hide to feel safe and not stressed. Mine has a hole under a Rock that he spends 90% of his time under, but as soon as he smells food comes out to eat. The are not super active fish so don't need to eat a lot and will eat small bits of food in the Water Column. Yours needs a better hiding spot and you should may sure food passes by his hiding spot.

I have pvc that he used to stay in and behind but recently this week he started to hide behind the corner hob filter. its also really hard to feed him too since he always stays crammed iin there

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Sorry I meant May, I’ve been trying to feed it pellets and mysis shrimp but because it is in the corner it is very hard to

The fish is a bit thin.

It may not accept pellets right away. You might need to chop the mysids up a bit. Brine shrimp is not very nutritional, but it is a great starter food.

Observational quarantine is usually not recommended because diseases can get started and go unnoticed at first. That said. I don’t see any overt disease symptoms here.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I recently got this firefish on march 24th. He is currently in my quarantine tank, observation only so no medicines or treatments. The first week he was really shy and then from week 1-2ish he would come out, but recently it seems like he found a new hiding spot, which is the corner of the tank right behind the filter (it is a corner hob). He constantly stays there and whenever he comes out, it seems like he is a bit tilted and his dorsal fin looks frayed or weaker and thinner. Not sure what to do, I am currently hoping he’ll become less stressed, but not sure if it is an internal parasite or disease in which I would treat for (i have never dosed any medicines/treatments and this is my first fish that i qt) Also, it seems like he is eating ok but it is just hard to feed him when he is in the corner

Feed it baby brine shrimp and even LRS nano frenzy which is a complete diet. Fish looks to be scared why its hiding in this manner

 

[crazybanana2]

The fish is a bit thin.

It may not accept pellets right away. You might need to chop the mysids up a bit. Brine shrimp is not very nutritional, but it is a great starter food.

Observational quarantine is usually not recommended because diseases can get started and go unnoticed at first. That said. I don’t see any overt disease symptoms here.

Thank you

 

[crazybanana2]

Feed it baby brine shrimp and even LRS nano frenzy which is a complete diet. Fish looks to be scared why its hiding in this manner

Ok

 

[Firefish89]

Firefish are my favorite and they are typically bold when happy and in a peaceful tank. My guess is also water quality, especially if the QT tank is new and/or if the fish is slowly getting worse. You can test or parameters or just assume they are off and try a 30-50% water change. My firefish have rarely been picky eaters. But frozen food is a good bet, but IME fish that are suffering from high nitrates/ammonia rarely want to eat.

 

[crazybanana2]

Firefish are my favorite and they are typically bold when happy and in a peaceful tank. My guess is also water quality, especially if the QT tank is new and/or if the fish is slowly getting worse. You can test or parameters or just assume they are off and try a 30-50% water change. My firefish have rarely been picky eaters. But frozen food is a good bet, but IME fish that are suffering from high nitrates/ammonia rarely want to eat.

Ive done ammonia tests and nitrate tests amm=0 nitrate is around 10ish but the tank is cycled and has been running for two ish months, i think i am going to try adding an airstone