End of life characteristics and care

[quikv6]

Forgive me if this should be in the disease section. It's a bit broader:

I care for a 13 year old Banded Lep. He has started spitting his food the past 2+ weeks. The food is fresh. (Tried multiple foods, and frozen too, along with Garlic guard.) He isn't swallowing, though it looks as if he's trying. He chews, sucks it back in...but spits. Normally, I'd lean towards parasites. (I have done 1 dose Metroplex, 1 dose Flubendazole....solely based on the symptom of spitting.)

But here's the catch:

He has been alone for a decade. No tankmates; nothing introduced; no cross contamination; no live foods, etc. Could parasites even be possible?

Could this just be him shutting down slowly? Is it an end-of-life characteristic? He looks good, swims normally, etc. Water Parameters are pristine. 0/0/5 60ppm-GH; 70ppm-KH, 6.8 PH.

Please...I don't want to lose him. Any help, advice, or insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[tlindsey]

Could this just be him shutting down slowly?

Thirteen years is quite an accomplishment. From my experience mature fish will show those behaviors when the time is near.

 

[Conchonius]

Might be something age-related, but it's also likely that it is something temporary. While larger parasites are unlikely, it's always possible that he developed a small ulcer in the mouth or something. Or something viral or bacterial, since these can be transmitted by air and don't necessarily have overt symptoms. Even if there's no disease at all, fish can get sulky for very little reason. I've had my syno refuse to take food for a while because there was construction work going on in the neighboring apartment and he took issue with the vibrations from the drilling.

I hope it passes soon, in the meantime frequent water changes and some salt are probably the best option.

 

[LBDave]

It's hard to know but could be an old age type of disease. Sometimes just dosing meds just makes matters worse.

 

[quikv6]

Thanks for the replies, folks. There was a tad but of good news today. He ate a full cube of Spirulina Brine Shrimp. This was the first time in around 3 weeks I saw him eat and swallow the food.

I had first tried Algae wafers and Krill today. Spit it out. I then did my 2nd and last dose of Flubendazole, after a large water change.

I decided to try the brine shrimp, and used a large pipette to direct it, and make it "dance" somewhat. One by one, he was chasing them, and kept them down. I really took it as a positive sign, and I hope that it continues.

Thanks again for all the replies and advice.

 

[phreeflow]

That’s great news…congrats!