New purple firefish issue

[cst0215]

I hope somebody can give me some advice. I just bought a purple firefish and introduced into my qt tank 2days ago. The tank was emptied and filled with new saltwater of 1.025 ppm salinity. It was swimming fine at my lfs, but in my tank he is just laying in one spot on the bare glass. Bottom next to a pvc hide. It does not seem to be breathing heavily. Is this normal behavior? Temp is around 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Thank You

 

[Tahoe61]

Try giving it more cover/hiding spots, diminish lighting if applicable.
They are one the more shy fish, and more difficult to acclimate in my experience.

#fishmedic

 

[Reef Jedi]

I agree with the above. They can be very shy and I bet it’s trying to hide.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

"The tank was emptied and filled with new saltwater"

Is the tank cycled?

 

[cst0215]

Thanks all for the replies. The tank is a 10 gallon used for quarantine. I start out with no medication. Once the fish are acclimatized I then ramp up chelated copper to a max of 2.25 ppm approximately. The tank is no sand, but has several bags of ceramic rings that have a population of denitrifying bacteria and this usually allows it to have no ammonia. If it does I do frequent 20% water changes. There are several pvc fittings inside, and plastic plants to allow the fish to hide. I do have a light, but it’s usually only on in the evening when I feed so I can observe

The firefish appears healthy so far, just lays on bottom and will not eat. When I brought it home I put it in an external acclimation box and replaced a small amount 1/4 cup of water that was in the bag with the tank water around every 10 minutes until I felt that the box had mostly tank water. It was swimming fine at the store.

 

[Bear22]

I would ditch those ceramic rings. Especially, if they are white as they could be leaching trace aluminum. If they are a quality ceramic rings (Eheim as an example) then I wouldn't worry about it.

These are sensitive fish (I have an Exquisita), but are quite happy and active IF they have agreeable tank mates and a nice cave where they feel comfy and safe.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks all for the replies. The tank is a 10 gallon used for quarantine. I start out with no medication. Once the fish are acclimatized I then ramp up chelated copper to a max of 2.25 ppm approximately. The tank is no sand, but has several bags of ceramic rings that have a population of denitrifying bacteria and this usually allows it to have no ammonia. If it does I do frequent 20% water changes. There are several pvc fittings inside, and plastic plants to allow the fish to hide. I do have a light, but it’s usually only on in the evening when I feed so I can observe

The firefish appears healthy so far, just lays on bottom and will not eat. When I brought it home I put it in an external acclimation box and replaced a small amount 1/4 cup of water that was in the bag with the tank water around every 10 minutes until I felt that the box had mostly tank water. It was swimming fine at the store.

What was the salinity/specific gravity that the firefish was in at the store?

 

[cst0215]

What was the salinity/specific gravity that the firefish was in at the store?

I’m not sure. I am new to this and didn’t think to check…seems obvious in hindsight sight! Will do so from now on. I might be able to ask the store,but to be honest I don’t know how much I trust there abilities with saltwater fish. I am very limited in shops where I live.

If it was a problem with drastically different salinity, do you think the fish would still be alive after approximately 60 hours?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’m not sure. I am new to this and didn’t think to check…seems obvious in hindsight sight! Will do so from now on. I might be able to ask the store,but to be honest I don’t know how much I trust there abilities with saltwater fish. I am very limited in shops where I live.

If it was a problem with drastically different salinity, do you think the fish would still be alive after approximately 60 hours?

Marine fish don’t handle rises in salinity well. Many dealers hold their fish in lower salinity to save money on salt and to partially suppress disease. That’s a mistake, because people buy those and put them into full salinity. Even with acclimation, it causes temporary stress and an even kill some smaller fish. Generally, the fish recover in 3 days.

Now, I can’t say for sure that is the issue here, I was just trying to rule it out.

 

[cst0215]

Marine fish don’t handle rises in salinity well. Many dealers hold their fish in lower salinity to save money on salt and to partially suppress disease. That’s a mistake, because people buy those and put them into full salinity. Even with acclimation, it causes temporary stress and an even kill some smaller fish. Generally, the fish recover in 3 days.

Now, I can’t say for sure that is the issue here, I was just trying to rule it out.

Do you think there is anything I should be doing? I hate to see it just lay there and starve to death

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Do you think there is anything I should be doing? I hate to see it just lay there and starve to death

Can you post a video of it and the tank it is in?

 

[cst0215]

Here is the tank. UV sterilizer on the right, since internal filter on left, plastic plants ,etc.

I put a small amount of flake food in tank tonight. Did not see the fish eat. He is a bit more active though. As you can see he is positioned vertically now where before he was just laying on tank bottom.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Here is the tank. UV sterilizer on the right, since internal filter on left, plastic plants ,etc.

I put a small amount of flake food in tank tonight. Did not see the fish eat. He is a bit more active though. As you can see he is positioned vertically now where before he was just laying on tank bottom.

How does it look this morning?

The tank looks good - more than enough hiding places. I’d use more aeration, but yours is probably ok since it’s just one fish.

If possible, test for ammonia just to ensure that isn’t contributing to this.

The fish is a bit thin, but I don’t see any signs of active disease.

What foods have you tried? You mentioned flake food, but new firefish rarely eat that. You should try small mysids, brine shrimp or red copepods.

 

[cst0215]

I have been afraid to feed much because I didn’t want to spike ammonia and if it required a water change that would just be additional stress.

today I will try some mysis shrimp. Also, I have some live baby brine shrimp if you think he might eat that?

 

[Apayson]

Ask the LFS what they were feeding and get the same food and soak it with seachem garlic gaurd.
I'd maybe ditch the QT light to reduce stress.

Also, those ceramic rings will absorb the copper. Next time use plastic bio balls. I keep a ton inside my sump.

Instead of treating with copper, I would just get them eating and soak the food in vitachem...that vitamin is known to improve their immune system and fight against ich.

PS
DO NOT run that UV sterilizer if you're putting copper in the water

 

[cst0215]

Thank you all for the help/advice.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have been afraid to feed much because I didn’t want to spike ammonia and if it required a water change that would just be additional stress.

today I will try some mysis shrimp. Also, I have some live baby brine shrimp if you think he might eat that?

YES! Live baby brine is a great starter food for fish like this. I hesitated to suggest that because of the work involved versus if it would work or not, but if you can easily put some in the tank, try that. Don't flood the tank with it though, that can confuse the fish...just put enough in so that it can see the individual shrimp. Also, avoid "observer bias", where you add food and then get up really close to see if its eating, but then causing the fish to shy away.....