Please help with sick/injured fish

vetteguy53081 · Mar 27, 2025

Theducatiman said:
He was dripped for almost an hour. He’s been here since Saturday. I’ve offered flakes, pellets, mysis, and brine. Lastly I used garlic as well. He’s breathing is normal and he’s looking around. Actually he’s been hiding under the rocks and today swam up into the box. I since raised it so he can’t get out for now.

hiding is somewhat a normal behavior and these fish school, so by itself will take time to adjust. Try lower light intensity and walk away during feeding in case its bashful

Jay Hemdal · Mar 28, 2025

This species has a lot of issues when they first arrive - usually related to their swim bladder, but yours isn't showing signs of that (bobbing while they struggle to stay down). They are also prone to ich. Another issue is that they are almost 100% caught with cyanide. They are deepwater fish, and divers have to catch them fast since their bottom time is short - so they knock them out with cyanide. This can lead to issues with not feeding, and then death within 40 days or so of arrival.

Unless your tank has aggressive fish in it, I think this one would feel more comfortable out in the tank itself. As others said, they prefer dimmer light, so if you could block some of the light shining into the chamber, that would help.