Yet another mandarin dragonet post

[logibear]

Concern is that my new mandarin dragonet is sticking to one small area of the tank and have not seen it forage for pods for several days despite seeing copious copepods and amphipods on the glass.

Background: have waterbox 190.5 for appt. 1.5 years that started with TBS rock and sand. Added extra pods just for good measure to DT and fuge a few weeks before adding the mandarin. Got the mandarin about 2 weeks ago from trusted LFS. Within a day seemed to be exploring and eating consistently but maybe not as much as I’d expect. Came in well nourished from what I could tell. This behavior lasted for about a week but always stayed on 1/3 of my tank. For last 5 ish days has remained on the same side but just goes back and forth at the back wall of the tank. Haven’t seen him peck at anything. Still see pods all over the glass. Never seen another fish even glance at him. Plan on getting another thing of pods tomorrow to add to the display just in case but don’t think it is a food issue as he has about 4 feet of rock/sand he has never even looked at let alone depleted of pods. Is he just acclimating? If so why was he eating for a bit and then stopped? Is it a disease and if so what do I do?

Will try to get a video of him when I get home just in case that will help but might be hard due to where he has set up camp.

 

[logibear]

Best video I can get, with my filter it is just too dark. He has moved but unfortunately is sitting under my Japanese leather so kind of shaded. Definitely think it is infected with something now. Increased mucus coat and I think he is breathing hard. #fishmedic

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Your fish is breathing very fast and has discoloration and maybe has an infection or wound on the side? The pic is not clear enough from the side to see its stomach, I can't tell if its thin or not. #fishmedics for more help, good luck.

 

[logibear]

 

[logibear]

Definitely agree he is tachypneic, used a flashlight to try to light him up the best I could to get some more pictures. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is thin/getting thin as like I said I haven’t seen him peck for several days. Not sure if it is gill flukes maybe and if it is what I can/should do. I’m worried he is not going to make it but I’m also worried about all the other fish I have.

 

[sgdnycct]

Agree something is off with this fish. Color is faded and breathing is not right. Seems like a bruise on the left side by the gill. Did you quarantine or observe?

I’d pull him out asap. Hope this helps bump for attention from the medics.