Sick Midas Blenny

[Abissus]

I have had this Midas Blenny since April, and it has been doing well (eating and swimming). Recently I noticed it is getting quite skinny, even I feed the tank regularly and all the tank mates are plump and well. It is not being bullied either, it just does not seem to have much of an appetite at all The fish looks ok other than skinny, so no funny skin problem, intact fins stc.

Any idea what can be wrong and what I should try to do? I really like this fish and don't want it to die

 

[NaH2O]

Joyce - does its waste look different at all? I wonder if it has an internal parasite? Do you have a hospital tank you can put it in?

 

[Abissus]

I looked closer and observe it better today. It was excited to see the mysis shrimp but lost interest after 2-3 bites.

I can see the gut area is dark and has irregular surface (hard to describe, kind of like bumps sticking out from stomach area that are not bones)

I do have an hospital tank, but I am not sure if it would be more stressfull to move it that leave it as is, especially since I have no clue what I can do.

 

[NaH2O]

Joyce - I would try and move it to the hospital tank, so you will be able to keep an eye on it more closely. Also, if we can get some recommendations on medications, then you will be able to administer them. How is the fish acting today? Do you see small ulcers anywhere? Does the gut area look distended at all?

 

[mike]

Had the same happen to me, My Midas went down quick. Very sad. I wish you more luck than I. Mike

 

[Terry B]

This species doesn't do well in captivity sometimes. Have you tried feeding it frozen spirulina on a regular basis? You might also try soaking its food in garlic for a week. This can help with some internal parasites. If those things don't help then I would consider treating for internal parasites, but not until I tried my other suggestions first.

Terry B

 

[Abissus]

There are no ulcers. I am not sure if the gut looks distended or not, there is a lump there and the body shrunk around it and it is dark in there. So it does not look like an empty belly.

I can try garlic, is there some specific that I have to get from LFS? or does cooking garlic power works?

So is this a fish that I should try buying again? I really like its look, but if it'll never survive I'll definitely reconsider it.

Thanks.

Joyce