Is my foxface sick?

[AbbeyRoad]

Hi,
I have this one spot foxface that seems to be breathing rapidly for about a week or so. I got him from another reefer in Oct-2002. He has been doing great eating, swimming. He is still doing all that but i noticed he seems to be breathing faster than i remember. He is always breathing and moving his mouth lately. If i breathed as fast as him i would be panting. Is he sick? my family tells me that he is a big fish so you are supposed to see him breath. I don't think so.
He is eating like a pig!! his is very fat. but the breathing concerns me.

It is a reef 72 bow for 7 months now
ph-8
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-10 (high, usually 0)
temp-80

other critters -all acting normal
2 false percs
1 firefish
1 banggaii cardinal
2 cleaner shrimps
2 pep shrimps
snails


He has been great until i noticed this recent problem. Would it be the nitrates? i am making water to do a change. What else could i do? should i do anything at all?

Thanks,
Abbey

 

[Anonymous]

Check your water for Nitrates and Ammonia........I shoot for Zero for both. If they are elevated I do a 10 percent water change and another one the next day. I also use Ammo Block 2 if the ammonia level becomes elevated. I would not worry much about your Fox if it is eating, Mine often appears to breath wierd...but does not appear to be ill. He eats everything I give him..and loves his greens. I think My Fox would eat himself to death if I let him. He is plump and growing even though I see him BREATH FASTER than I think he shoud be. My water is perfect and has been for a couple months now. Have Fun!

 

[Garry thomas]

Hello fox if your tank is mature, which it probally is ammonia and nitrate not your problem. as its a new introduction its probally Gill Flukes? can you catch him? if so give him a fresh water dip, remember same temp and PH

 

[Anonymous]

Most foxfaces seem to breath fast- I think they just have a high metabolism.

 

[AbbeyRoad]

Ok then this makes me feel better that others foxfaces breath faster than other fish . He loves his nori and meaty foods also. I'm still going to do a water change and watch him.
What do you guys know about gill flukes? i don;t know much except that they exist. What are their symptoms? Does mine sould like it? or not?
I would not like to stress him out by the dips if i can avoid it. But i will do it if needed.

Thanks for the responses,
Abbey

 

[reefann]

My fox-face breaths rapidly at times also but if he shows no other signs of stress dont stess him out by fresh water dunks. Mine is also quite the pig.
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[Garry thomas]

Gill flukes are little parasites which live just inside gill covers, they feed directly off the delicate gill tissue, nasty little critters. When i purchase any new introduction they all get a fresh water dip, and you would be surprised how many of the fish have got them? you will see small pin head sized translucent bits floating around. also any other parasites will be zapped. As for stresssing the fish i would rather do that than risk infecting a tank containing 86 fish.

 

[JeremyR]

Foxface love cleaner shrimp.. if he has a gill parasite issue (which is doubtful if the other reefer had it a period of time) then the cleaner shrimp would probably take care of it. Have you seen it going to your shrimp?