Flame hawk fish distressed, sick?

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and saltwater world, I have had my tank running for about a month. Recently added a flame hawk fish, clown, damsel, goby, and v. puffer to my tank. All of my levels read fine. I purchased the hawk fish about two days ago and he seemed fine from the start. Now he is basically immobile and seems to be breathing rapidly and with some sort of wound/infection and is discolored? I have only seen him eat one or two pellets and is not interested in the freeze dried brine shrimp I tried today. I am not sure what may be wrong and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. All of my other fish seem normal.

video:
https://youtube.com/shorts/YXLNeRYgIkw?feature=share

Fishnut · May 5, 2021

Breathing very fast. Definitely stressed. With the info provided my guess would be other fish bothering him such as the Damsel or Clown. You may want to turn down lights and observe what is going on.

Sam816 · May 5, 2021

flamehawks are not timid imo. mine doesn't care about any other fish. if ur's hiding like this then he is definitely stressed. can u get live worms? that should get him more interested.
if u have an online camera that u can use to observe him from a distance then use that to see if he comes out or is getting bullied.

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

Fishnut said:
Breathing very fast. Definitely stressed. With the info provided my guess would be other fish bothering him such as the Damsel or Clown. You may want to turn down lights and observe what is going on.

sounds good, I have turned the lights off for about 4 hours now. He's moved behind the rock where I cant see him but I figure i wont bother him for a bit. Do you think it looks like some sort of cut?

NoahLikesFish · May 5, 2021

How big is the twnk

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

Sam816 said:
flamehawks are not timid imo. mine doesn't care about any other fish. if ur's hiding like this then he is definitely stressed. can u get live worms? that should get him more interested.
if u have an online camera that u can use to observe him from a distance then use that to see if he comes out or is getting bullied.

I'm sure I can find something at the petco near me. I havent seen him really get bullied, other than the damsel coming into his hiding space and then the hawkfish would chase him out (first day). Doesn't seem to chase him out anymore either. I will set up my dog came tonight and see how everything plays out. The damsel I have does seem to be alittle aggressive towards my other fish.

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

NoahLikesFish said:
How big is the twnk

30 gal

NoahLikesFish · May 5, 2021

That’s a bit too small. only 1 v puffer or 1 hawk could live in that

NoahLikesFish · May 5, 2021

And the puffer probably bit it and the clown and damsel are jerks if they are the 1st fish

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

NoahLikesFish said:
That’s a bit too small. only 1 v puffer or 1 hawk could live in that

ugh, cudos to the qualified specialist at petco.....

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

NoahLikesFish said:
And the puffer probably bit it and the clown and damsel are jerks if they are the 1st fish

well the puffer I added today, I don't believe it was him. but the damsel was the 1st first in the tank.

NoahLikesFish · May 5, 2021

the employees at petco are brain dead someone said that 6 cories (nano catfish) in a 40 breeder freshwater with a 75-110 gallon filter was overstocked

NoahLikesFish · May 5, 2021

I’d restart if I was you honestly. That tank sounds like its going to go downhill.

NoahLikesFish · May 5, 2021

You shouldn’t put like a puffer with rock dwellers b/c puffers nip at rock

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

NoahLikesFish said:
You shouldn’t put like a puffer with rock dwellers b/c puffers nip at rock

ugh, I am ashamed that I did not do enough research, some tools said they were compatible. Would a larger tank help?

vetteguy53081 · May 5, 2021

This is a lot of fish for a tank barely cycled and likely you have spikes occurring and low oxygen saturation.
You say all of your levels read fine. Can you provide numbers? Also , if youre using API test kits, you are likely getting false readings and need to get a water sample to a TRUSTED store that does NOT use API test kits and see what readings they come up with.
In the meantime, do a slight water change and increase oxygen with an airstone/pump combo.
Also , please provide clearer pics of the blemish on its skin as it is ASSUMED a bite. Can be an injury or even bacterial.

vetteguy53081 · May 5, 2021

chipevans22 said:
ugh, I am ashamed that I did not do enough research, some tools said they were compatible. Would a larger tank help?

No shame. . . Puffers are not going to nip a fish because it favors a rock. Overcrowding would make more sense for this behavior as would aggressive behavior. Is puffer a problem?
Place your phone on video mode and place in front of tank and walk away. Drop a LITTLE food beforehand. YOU MUST WALK AWAY.
Come back in an hour and review video and you will know if aggression is an issue

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

vetteguy53081 said:
This is a lot of fish for a tank barely cycled and likely you have spikes occurring and low oxygen saturation.
You say all of your levels read fine. Can you provide numbers? Also , if youre using API test kits, you are likely getting false readings and need to get a water sample to a TRUSTED store that does NOT use API test kits and see what readings they come up with.
In the meantime, do a slight water change and increase oxygen with an airstone/pump combo.
Also , please provide clearer pics of the blemish on its skin as it is ASSUMED a bite. Can be an injury or even bacterial.

Thank you, I will attempt to get a clearer pic, ones he comes out from behind the rock. I figured I would let him relax for a bit. I will see if there are any other saltwater stores near me other than petco, this is where I have gotten four readings from, they never provided me the actual numbers.

chipevans22 · May 5, 2021

Update, the fish has passed. I have found what seems to be a reputable saltwater store in my area, I will plan on getting my levels checked there tomorrow. I will do a 10% water change right now and go from there. I may ship the damsel off to my buddy who has a 75g tank.

Sam816 · May 5, 2021

chipevans22 said:
Update, the fish has passed. I have found what seems to be a reputable saltwater store in my area, I will plan on getting my levels checked there tomorrow. I will do a 10% water change right now and go from there. I may ship the damsel off to my buddy who has a 75g tank.

ahh sorry to hear that. flame hawkfish are very hardy generally. mine survived 2 ich outbreaks. may be I got lucky. if you plan to get one again then consider a quarantine regimen. get it eating n fatten it up in QT. use acclimation box and see how other fish react to the new fish.