[reefin]

So, I bought a powderblue tang and a foxface rabbit from a lady on Craigslist who had the fish in very poor lighting.

I get them home, and low and behold, the tang has ick. Both fish are now in quarantine tanks and have been treated with copper.

The tang is eating, looks happy, and I believe he will do fine.

The foxface is stressed, has his brown spots going on, fins extended, breathing hard, and will not eat. (a day and a half)

Any ideas? I really hate to loose a fish and I am not optimistic about the foxface. The funny thing is, he had shown no sign of ick!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Neuticle]

Does the quarantine have much shelter? Fish need to be able to hide when they are stressed. Some bigger PVC pipe fittings (3" and 4" dia) from a hardware store are perfect for the job.

Try feeding a bigger variety of food, many fish take to frozen brine shrimp easily because wholesalers use it a lot and the fish have seen it before. Once a fish is comfortable feeding you can work it up to foods that are better, but harder to sell. Get some dried seaweed into the Rabbitfish and you'll very likely see a big change.

 

[reefin]

Not nearly enough shelter. I will try putting some more in. right now there is a 3" pvc fitting in there, but he hasn't paid it any attention.

 

[Geoff]

Siganidae are very shy fish and they need shelter in order to feel comfortable. it takes them a while to get brave enough to come out and eat. the less hiding places the longer this will take.

have you tried feeding both the tang and the rabbitfish nori?

G~

 

[david426]

I have a foxface. When I first brought him home he never was very happy. What finally perked him up was another fish. The foxface would hang out with him and his demeanor improved. If your medicating both fish, you might try putting them together.

 

[Salty O'Shen]

the magnificent rabbitfish i got a month or so ago was very stressed when he arrived in my tank. same thing, breathing hard, defensive markings, not eating...i went to short light cycles for a week, stayed away from the tank, and dosed garlic extract before feeding to encourage his appetite. i already had plenty of hiding places so i didn't have that issue, but he was still stressed, they're very sensitive fish when it comes to being moved tank to tank. how big is your QT? they need lots of space (4' or more swimming length) and this could be contributing to his ongoing stress...