How I ruined Christmas ..maybe

[TheMachinistReefer]

Welp. I think I just ruined my big Christmas present for my son.

He wanted a poisonous fish for Christmas.

Did a bunch of research and ended up ordering him a fuzzy dwarf lionfish. Except we needed a dedicated tank. while waiting for arrival I bought a tank and supplies.

The lion arrived 2 weeks early and I wasn't fully prepared. so I set up a temporary 10gallon tank and used live rock from my tank.

I did happen to attempt a live shrimp culture, so luckily had food on hand.

The lionfish has been hidden in our basement for the past 2 weeks doing well. I have been sneaking away to check on him/feed. Everything was great until this evening. I noticed it was breathing fast and laying on the bottom. I did a 50% waterchange, threw in an air stone, and added carbon. Hoping for the best but it isnt looking good. I dont know what else to do but wait. Its definitely my fault, I overfed in too small of a tank. I should have just given my son his gift early. It would have been in an appropriately sized tank with better filtration. Instead, Christmas is 2 days away and I might have an empty tank for him. I feel so defeated. Fingers crossed the little guy pulls through. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[ndrwater]

Fingers crossed for all three of you!
Hoping some Christmas magic will work!

 

[CoralB]

Can you give it to him now and put him in the bigger tank

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm sorry to hear about your Lion Fish, let's hope all is not lost just yet.

Could you post some clear pics or a short video of the fish? Please use your whitest lights, turning off all blues for clarity. Then, maybe one of the R2R #fishmedic team can take a look and hopefully offer some help. Perhaps all he needs is a bit of Christmas magic

Good luck to you and your fish!

 

[TheMachinistReefer]

Can you give it to him now and put him in the bigger tank

My wife suggested this as well, but Im not sure how my son, Nathan, would take it if it died. It dying before I give it to him hurts me, but giving it to him and it dying would hurt him. Thats my thinking anyway

 

[Sam7]

Sorry to hear about the fish trouble. Christmas can never be ruined when your son has such a great dad that tried his best...... Merry Christmas to you and family

 

[CoralB]

My wife suggested this as well, but Im not sure how my son, Nathan, would take it if it died. It dying before I give it to him hurts me, but giving it to him and it dying would hurt him. Thats my thinking anyway

Yes but if he’s in the small tank it might die . Have you done a water change on the little tank ?

 

[Sam7]

My wife suggested this as well, but Im not sure how my son, Nathan, would take it if it died. It dying before I give it to him hurts me, but giving it to him and it dying would hurt him. Thats my thinking anyway

you should prepare yourselves for that...this hobby isnt easy and deaths happen more then we care to say

 

[TheMachinistReefer]

Yes but if he’s in the small tank it might die . Have you done a water change on the little tank ?

That is a fair point.

I guess I could put him in the larger tank now and keep it hidden until/if it recovers and then give it to him. Little tricky on my end to make that happen, but very much would be worth the extra effort.

I did a 50% waterchange, added a large airstone, and added carbon to the smaller tank. I dont want to jinx it, but its swimming around now. This is about 2-3 hours post waterchange.

 

[KrisReef]

I’m feeling it.

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Best of luck with the lionfish and Merry Christmas