Somethings wrong with my mandarin dragonet

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by meagan1823, Jan 15, 2010.

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  1. meagan1823

    meagan1823 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Hi all,
    well when I work up around 12:30 am, I noticed my mandarin was floating at the top of the tank and I have a PH pointed at the surface and it was throwing him everywhere.
    So I turned the PH off and he is just floating at the surface of the water.
    He looks pale and I have no idea whats wrong.

    I have no idea my parameters but my other fish and inverts are fine. I have 2 clowns and pepperment shrimp, coral, and a couple of species of snails and hermit crabs.

    He was doing great around 9 when I fed them a cube of brine shrimp but when I work up, I knew he would usually be sleeping adn instead hes up and floating at the top of the tank.

    I can't find any visiable marks.
    My tank is 55 gallons with a HOB refugium, HOB protein skimmer, 6 x T5 lights. 60 lbs LR 40 lbs LS
     
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  3. NeighborTomita

    NeighborTomita Banned

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    Fish usually come to the surface for O2, your tank could be lacking it..
     
  4. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    I doubt it is a lack of O2 if she had a PH directed at the surface.

    I have no idea what could be causing it.

    I would run some tests.
     
  5. meagan1823

    meagan1823 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    wouldn't the clownfish be acting off as well? but I have an extra air pump so ill start that.

    its almost like hes paralyzed. and can't swim down. he keeps bumping into the sides of the tank. His little fins on the side are moving but hes not going down just kind of going in circles. I got a piece of tubing and gently pushed him down the water column with it and he didnt respond. He just sat there and went down when I pushed him down and floated back up when i let go. He showed no visible reaction, ie, swim away, when I touched him
     
  6. NeighborTomita

    NeighborTomita Banned

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    Was just saying it's a possibility...
     
  7. meagan1823

    meagan1823 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    thanks for the suggestion
    I added an airstone next to him in case that was it.
     
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  9. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

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    Sounds like a swim bladder problem. Is it trained to eat frozen and if not do you have enough pods for it?
     
  10. meagan1823

    meagan1823 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    well after adding the airstone and leaving it next to him for a few minutes, he has now swam down and it resting a rock that he sometimes sleeps on.
    Hopefully it was maybe the O2 levels.
    Will it be ok to leave the airstone in overnight?
    thanks
     
  11. meagan1823

    meagan1823 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Yes he eats frozen and pellets.
    I do have some pods as well. I just got the refugium in hopes of boosting my population for him.

    The tank is about 9 months old.
     
  12. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

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    Yes it will be fine to leave the airstone overnight. As was stated before you shouldn't have O2 problems with a power head pointed at the surface. This sounds like a bit of a mystery to me.