Frogfish “Sinking”

[MauiAnglerReef]

So recently I had a nitrate spike in my tank, and cared for my frogfish in a glass bowl for around 3 days before putting him back in the tank. Ever since I added him back, he has shown zero interest in food even though it’s been 9 days since the spike, and he also hasn’t been able to swim. I’ve s en him try, but he just can’t go up.

It’s important to note that he threw up fish remains in his bowl. Maybe it’s a digestive issue?

Other than his behavior he looks completely normal. No darkened colors or bloating.

 

[littlefoxx]

@Jay Hemdal ??

 

[MauiAnglerReef]

Bump

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So recently I had a nitrate spike in my tank, and cared for my frogfish in a glass bowl for around 3 days before putting him back in the tank. Ever since I added him back, he has shown zero interest in food even though it’s been 9 days since the spike, and he also hasn’t been able to swim. I’ve s en him try, but he just can’t go up.

It’s important to note that he threw up fish remains in his bowl. Maybe it’s a digestive issue?

Other than his behavior he looks completely normal. No darkened colors or bloating.

Not sure, but anglers are naturally negatively buoyant. It may not be able to swim because it’s weakened some way.

Can you post a video?

I doubt there is any medical treatment that will work though - this is likely related to its sojourn in the bowl. The ammonia might have gone up.

 

[MauiAnglerReef]

So recently I had a nitrate spike in my tank, and cared for my frogfish in a glass bowl for around 3 days before putting him back in the tank. Ever since I added him back, he has shown zero interest in food even though it’s been 9 days since the spike, and he also hasn’t been able to swim. I’ve s en him try, but he just can’t go up.

It’s important to note that he threw up fish remains in his bowl. Maybe it’s a digestive issue?

Other than his behavior he looks completely normal. No darkened colors or bloating.

Not sure, but anglers are naturally negatively buoyant. It may not be able to swim because it’s weakened some way.

Can you post a video?

I doubt there is any medical treatment that will work though - this is likely related to its sojourn in the bowl. The ammonia might have gone up.

I can’t send a video because I can’t force him to try and swim, he just randomly does it. But I can describe why it’s not normal.

Before the spike, he was and active swimmer for an angler, moving and floating around a lot. Now, it seems he’s given up, but whenever he tries to swim, he moves his tail like normal but can’t go up.

If he is weak like you say, hopefully it gets better.

 

[DTTB23]

I've noticed my sargassum is easily, very easily, stressed. He's been an A hole lately with finicky eating periods and 1 regurgitation. He was also on the back side of the tank and I was scrapping algae on the front side and he completely let loose and kicked up sand and dust and moved a decent sized rock even. I've had him float sideways before and no reaction from touch. Very odd shifts in mood or whatever but I let him chill for a day or two and it's back to hiding like normal, breathing normal and eating normal. I am not even a novice here and to the hobby yet but I would maybe recommend a healthy water change in the tank and just let him or her settle themselves for a hot minute. I imagine they probably dont get something to eat every single day or are always comfortable. Maybe even an introduction of a live prey to draw on their instincts ya know. I hope things work out. These guys are some neat little creatures.

 

[MauiAnglerReef]

I've noticed my sargassum is easily, very easily, stressed. He's been an A hole lately with finicky eating periods and 1 regurgitation. He was also on the back side of the tank and I was scrapping algae on the front side and he completely let loose and kicked up sand and dust and moved a decent sized rock even. I've had him float sideways before and no reaction from touch. Very odd shifts in mood or whatever but I let him chill for a day or two and it's back to hiding like normal, breathing normal and eating normal. I am not even a novice here and to the hobby yet but I would maybe recommend a healthy water change in the tank and just let him or her settle themselves for a hot minute. I imagine they probably dont get something to eat every single day or are always comfortable. Maybe even an introduction of a live prey to draw on their instincts ya know. I hope things work out. These guys are some neat little creatures.

Thanks for the response, but the situation has been resolved. He is fully normal now and as ugly as ever

 

[DTTB23]

I need to pay attention to dates. Glad to hear the update worked in alls favor.