MIA anthia reappeared with unknown issue

[Lostoften]

Morning,

Had figured this anthia died due to starvation or fighting with the other anthia. I hadn't noticed any issues prior to its disappearance roughly two weeks ago. To my surprise I saw it swimming upside down at the back of the tank, swimming was erratic and fins in extremely poor shape. By the time I switched lights to white, it had embedded its head in the rock. I know odds of this fish surviving are extremely unlikely, but is it showing any signs that are visible to be concerned for other fish?

All fish have been in display ~60 days after being treated with 30 days of copper for ICH. All fish underwent the current protocol originally, 30 days of copper + 3 doses of prazipro. There have been zero new fish, corals or CUC. Just food, phyto and bacteria.

Appreciate any insights.

Anthia

 

[Lostoften]

Nitrates are around 15-20 via Hanna

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nitrates are around 15-20 via Hanna

This fish looks to be a victim of aggression based on shredded fins and reason it has been hiding. You need to identify the aggressor

 

[Lostoften]

This fish looks to be a victim of aggression based on shredded fins and reason it has been hiding. You need to identify the aggressor

Would aggression account for swimming upside down? Or fins tore up this bad affect swimming? Its still in the same spot, upside down.

This fish was the more aggressive of the two anthias, I know usually they are kept in odd numbers but the rest didn't make it through the QT process. I have had these with the other fish for over 6 months.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Would aggression account for swimming upside down? Or fins tore up this bad affect swimming? Its still in the same spot, upside down.

This fish was the more aggressive of the two anthias, I know usually they are kept in odd numbers but the rest didn't make it through the QT process. I have had these with the other fish for over 6 months.

Yes, will distort swim behavior. Other culprits for aggression would be clowns, damsels and even hawkfish

 

[Lostoften]

This was the dominate anthia, but have seen a moyers wrasse and flame angel chase the anthia. However they have been in the display or 75 gallon QT for 9 months. The newest addition was a mystery wrasse, but it seems to be on the bottom of the fish hierarchy. Would this fish survive a transfer to QT?

Sadly tried to get fish and put into acclimation box with airstone and it worked further into rock.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This was the dominate anthia, but have seen a moyers wrasse and flame angel chase the anthia. However they have been in the display or 75 gallon QT for 9 months. The newest addition was a mystery wrasse, but it seems to be on the bottom of the fish hierarchy. Would this fish survive a transfer to QT?

Sadly tried to get fish and put into acclimation box with airstone and it worked further into rock.

I agree - something attacked this fish and drove it into the rocks. It then became weakened and drifted out. It’s moribund at this point, I don’t think you would be able to save it even if you managed to get it back out of the rocks, sorry.

 

[Lostoften]

Thanks for the reply, while not happy for any loss, I’m glad it points towards aggression vs disease.