PDA

View Full Version : Losing my Blue Hippo

hkgar
09/29/2012, 07:29 AM
I think I am about to lose him. For the last day or two, he has been staying in a crevice area and no longer swimming around. He does attempt to eat but only if the food comes to him. He used to be quite aggressive at feeding time.

Anything I can do except stand by for his final removal?

OK, because someone will ask

Nitrates 0
Phosphates 0
CA 420
dKh 8.5

Haven't measured ammonia or Nitrites for years
stingythingy45
09/29/2012, 07:44 AM
Does the fish show any signs of a parasite?All the other fish are fine?
hkgar
09/29/2012, 08:01 AM
I can't really see if there are any signs of parasites as he stays pretty hidden.

Here is a pic

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j409/hkgar1/20120929_093043.jpg
hkgar
09/29/2012, 08:09 AM
I haven't added anything new to the tank in at least 6 months, so I don't think any parasites have been added
ajcanale
09/29/2012, 08:13 AM
are you having significant temperature (or any other level) swings?
hkgar
09/29/2012, 08:58 AM
Here is the last 7 days of tempurature

http://www.reeftronics.net/graphns.php?probe=01&period=week&member=garyk
hkgar
09/29/2012, 09:00 AM
PH last 7 days. The drops you will see are when I add my vinegar dose

http://www.reeftronics.net/graphns.php?probe=03&period=week&member=garyk
sasharotty
09/29/2012, 09:35 AM
Time to remove him to a qt and observe. He won't have to compete for food there either. My guess some kind of parasite.
hkgar
09/29/2012, 10:18 AM
Time to remove him to a qt and observe. He won't have to compete for food there either. My guess some kind of parasite.

And just how would you recommend getting him out of the tank?
Buzz1329
09/29/2012, 02:31 PM
You've added 0 to tank in past 6 months.

Everything else in tank is fine.

So no bullying, no issue with introduction of disease/parasites.

And what can you do really besides break down the tank (which would obviously cause enormous stress to everything else in the tank), extract the fish, and move it to a completely new, and obviously stressful QT?

Maybe this particular fish has decided to check out.
EllieSuz
09/29/2012, 02:44 PM
This may not apply to this situation, but I always assumed that any species of animal, including those we keep in reef systems, have a finite life expectancy. Therefore, some of them must just die of old age or natural causes while in our care.
hkgar
09/29/2012, 05:52 PM
This may not apply to this situation, but I always assumed that any species of animal, including those we keep in reef systems, have a finite life expectancy. Therefore, some of them must just die of old age or natural causes while in our care.

I completely understand that. Just don't know what the life expectancy of this fish should be.

I have had him for 6-7 years and hate to see him go.
RobPak84
09/29/2012, 08:03 PM
And just how would you recommend getting him out of the tank?

You could try to use a hose. Just create a vacuum and if the vacuum is strong enough you may be able to suck the fish to it and pull it out from the rock.
hkgar
10/09/2012, 01:54 PM
An update

He is still staying in one place and not moving. So after 10 days no change.

Does that provide any idea of what is going on?
pledosophy
10/09/2012, 02:25 PM
What if he is stuck? It sounds strange, but I have had it happen.

At this point, I might move a rock about and see if he bails out, then put him in QT.
hkgar
10/09/2012, 03:30 PM
he has been in a couple different spots and I have tried moving things or approaching him with something and he doesn't move much. He doesn't bolt as most fish would.
pledosophy
10/09/2012, 03:37 PM
Probably not stuck then ;)
swcc
10/09/2012, 05:30 PM
I completely understand that. Just don't know what the life expectancy of this fish should be.

I have had him for 6-7 years and hate to see him go.

hard to determine life expectancy...perhaps it is just his time..or maybe he might bounce back if left alone and not put under stress. Some fish just seem to last for about 5-7 years and some can go for a decade or more.