TTM Failure on Moorish Idol

[PGT253]

@eatbreakfast @4FordFamily Do MIs twitch their head as part of a feeding response (like butterflies)? (I can't remember.)

When I saw a CBB at my LFS twitched its head repeatedly when the guy fed tank some frozen, I was so sure that's flukes right there. Now I know it's part of a feeding response, just learned something new!

 

[4FordFamily]

@eatbreakfast @4FordFamily Do MIs twitch their head as part of a feeding response (like butterflies)? (I can't remember.)

I don’t see this behavior often from idols, no.

 

[puffy127]

I don’t see this behavior often from idols, no.

So if due to velvet/ich, when should it go away?

 

[Humblefish]

I don’t see this behavior often from idols, no.

I couldn't remember if my last Idol twitched his head or not. Thanks for confirming!

So if due to velvet/ich, when should it go away?

I think I would check for flukes: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

 

[puffy127]

I took him out after 14 days of therapeutic copper, did a 45 min formalin dip, into a sterile QT. (FYI, he already had 2 doses of prazi during TTM). I did formalin dips in case he had prazi-resistant flukes. Formalin dip did not reveal any flukes (they should drop off just like FW dips, right?). Did another formalin dip 6 days later into another sterile QT. Again, no flukes in the dip container. He still twitches his head. I wonder if it is a feeding response as he does do this while eating. He's been out of copper for 10 days now. No other bumps or spots other than a spot on his right fin, which may be lympho.

 

[Humblefish]

@puffy127 A formalin bath will not show flukes like a FW dip would. It’s the freshwater that causes the flukes to turn opaque/white.

 

[puffy127]

Ok, but 2 formalin baths 6 days apart should have eradicated prazi-resistant flukes, correct? I can always do a FW dip just to confirm, but I've not had much luck with them in the past. Could this be something else other than flukes? Behavior is otherwise normal and still eating like a pig. What should I be looking for before giving it the all-clear to go into the DT in a few days (14 days post therapeutic copper)?

 

[Humblefish]

Ok, but 2 formalin baths 6 days apart should have eradicated prazi-resistant flukes, correct?

Yes

Could this be something else other than flukes? Behavior is otherwise normal and still eating like a pig. What should I be looking for before giving it the all-clear to go into the DT in a few days (14 days post therapeutic copper)?

Does he do it when he sees you, in anticipation of food? Other than that, the only thing I know of which causes head twitching in fish is if “something” is bothering their gills. Usually flukes, or a parasite like ich or velvet. However, if a Lympho nodule was growing inside or infection was present inside the gills, I suppose both would qualify as a “gill irritant” as well.

 

[puffy127]

I set up a web cam and he does shake his head less than when I am in front of the tank, but doesn't stop doing it completely. He could be eating bits of nori floating around, though. Worst case scenario, if it were ich/velvet not completely eradicated by copper, I should see other symptoms within 14 days of removing him from copper, correct?

 

[Josh Kraft]

Acclimate a black molly to your QT and see what (if anything) happens.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-black-mollies-vs-marine-fish-diseases.312166/

 

[Humblefish]

Acclimate a black molly to your QT and see what (if anything) happens.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-black-mollies-vs-marine-fish-diseases.312166/

+1 ^^ This is a good idea

 

[puffy127]

Thanks for the links about black mollies. I'm not sure I can commit to keeping them after QT though.

 

[Josh Kraft]

You can add them to your display as well. It's always good to know when a parasite infects your tank, and they eat algae!