Yellow tang cannot eat (Literally)

[W31Olds]

Yea, tank transfers are always somewhat risky for physical damage/injury and also stressful. It's one of the reasons I'm not crazy about Elliot and Ryans TTM QT Method.

 

[pookie]

I read through the thread - I also wonder if this is mechanical damage from a strike injury that is keeping the fish from feeding properly?

If so, the added physical stress from net capturing it to move it for the food might compound that injury. I don’t see any signs of external infection. Still, if you don’t do something, you will lose the fish.

One thing I would try is some live baby brine shrimp - if it is still attempting to feed, those might be small enough and soft enough for it to swallow more easily.

I agree, im worried that it might just be the pushing point for him but I cant get antibiotics in him any other way. I tried live adult brine yesterday and he had no interest whatsoever. Im going to try doing the plastix bag method. I have huge bags when I was culturing phyto in a 5 gallon bags so hopefully he wont be too too stressed either way I wont chase him with a net as its very risky and dont want him running into anything else...

 

[W31Olds]

The Plastic bag method will work. I used it yesterday for the first time to capture my large 7" Foxface. What Elliot Lim failed to mention (at least I didn't see it), is some fish are probably not the best candidates for it. I.E. my Foxface is quite strong, so when I lifted the bag out, I had numerous pinhole leaks. They really do have some sharp Spines. Venomous to boot so I always wear gloves.

 

[pookie]

I caught him! I put him in my 5.5 gallin as thats all I have to spare... i blacked the tank out with some black garbage bags so he can rest easy as possible. Now just waiting for the meds to come

 

[pookie]

I read through the thread - I also wonder if this is mechanical damage from a strike injury that is keeping the fish from feeding properly?

If so, the added physical stress from net capturing it to move it for the food might compound that injury. I don’t see any signs of external infection. Still, if you don’t do something, you will lose the fish.

One thing I would try is some live baby brine shrimp - if it is still attempting to feed, those might be small enough and soft enough for it to swallow more easily.

Still not eating and medication wont come for another 2 days... its to the point where I can see it's "organs" would it be bad to try and force feed it at least some food? I would never normally do this or even consider it but its getting dire and dont think he has many days left...

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Still not eating and medication wont come for another 2 days... its to the point where I can see it's "organs" would it be bad to try and force feed it at least some food? I would never normally do this or even consider it but its getting dire and dont think he has many days left...

Force feeding can help carry a fish through an issue, but the extra capture/handing can create continuing problems with the snout. I've force fed smaller fish like this, but it is more of an art, than a science, and takes some practice. Here is an article I wrote about this process:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tube-force-feeding-fish.808/

 

[pookie]

Update now as he is in worse condition... all his fins are slowly deteriorating and his slime coat is gone... at least I didnt feel it when trying to feed him. Which also kinda failed as some came out his gills but hoping he got some calories inside him to help but im not really expecting him to survive... I did just get the medicine and did 100% water changr and dosed it and put him in there so hopefully he will get some relief and somehow overcome this..