pipefish problem

[weirdbeard]

Greetings and Happy Holidays to All! i was hoping someone out there would have an idea as to what the possible cause of the absess/parasite that seems to be hell bent on killing one of my giant pipefish? yesterday it was eating and swimming fine. i have 2 of them in a 90 gal with a 30 gal fuge along with other types of pipefish and seahoses.the tank has a 6" sandbed some artificial coral (for color and hitching) and aspiring growth of macro's. the system has been going over 3 years now and i've checked the tank and system out for anything that may have stung it but found nothing.all the other occupants appear to have no problems.i would put this fish in quarentine but i figure if something has gotten into the tank then the other livestock have gotten it already and the way this one is going i'll probably have to put him down soon.the only livestock i've put in there recently has been a sea hare for some algea controlbut has been removed for almost a week.please excuse the size and quality of the pics but i cant seem to figure out editing them either.

 

[KathyC]

Hard to tell what is on the fish from the pics

So this tank has been up for 3 years and you mention nothing new going in there, so it may not be a parasite.

How is the fish behaving? Not sure why you feel you may need to put it down?? Please tell us more.

 

[weirdbeard]

it keeps allowing itself to get held into the filter grating, very lethargic, and swimming rather akwardly and its having a very hard time anchoring to anything...believe me, i would rather try anything that might possibly work but there comes a point when it's more humane to have something die quickly rather than letting it go slowly just because you dont want to lose a fish

 

[weirdbeard]

Hard to tell what is on the fish from the pics

So this tank has been up for 3 years and you mention nothing new going in there, so it may not be a parasite.

i have put various livestock into it periodically over time...the two most recent were the giants...about 4 months ago. and i'm concerned about the gestation period of various parasites...they were kept in quarentine for about 3 week before going into my tank

 

[KathyC]

Sorry to hear I do understand what you're saying & agree.

Can you possibly turn down the filter a bit?

Is he still eating and might you have any idea of what their lifespan is?
One more question...if the object is on the outside of the fish, is there any chance of catching him and trying to remove it?

 

[weirdbeard]

the system filter and fuge overflow are at the bare minimun already,so much so that its a chore to keep up the water quality. unfortunately the pipefish died last night. ive wrapped the body in a paper towel to allow it to dry so i might be able to show it to someone in hopes of some kind of identification. the blemish appears to be just below the skin surface and for the life of me i cant seem to figure out what caused it.about the only good thing to come out of this will be the hunt for information (i hate not knowing) so as they say the thrill of the hunt is what wil keep me going. thanks for the input and i'll check back if i find anything out.

Sorry to hear I do understand what you're saying & agree.

Can you possibly turn down the filter a bit?

Is he still eating and might you have any idea of what their lifespan is?
One more question...if the object is on the outside of the fish, is there any chance of catching him and trying to remove it?

 

[KathyC]

Sorry for your loss
Do let us know if you find out what happened to him, where do you think you might find the info, or have him looked at?

 

[weirdbeard]

thank you, i'm not quite sure yet...but if i find anywhere to get info, i'll definately let you know

Sorry for your loss
Do let us know if you find out what happened to him, where do you think you might find the info, or have him looked at?

 

[weirdbeard]

Moderator, please close this thread. thanks!