Sick Fire Eel, HELP!

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N

n-e-w-land

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 3, 2009
135
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0
United Kingdom
Hi,

My fire eel is really sick at the moment he hasn't eaten for about 2 weeks and has a rough end to his tail. He is gasping and often suspendes himself in midwater, with little or no movement. I have tried to feed him on the only thing he has ever eaten, frozen prawns and for a while he poked at them, now he just ignores them. This is becoming a desperate situation, I really don't want to watch him die of starvation.....

He lives in a 200 gallon tank with an oscar, various other sa/ca cichlids and a syno. I have on occasion seen my gt peck the fire eel but on the whole he is left completly alone as he is much bigger than the other fish.

Thanks, I hope you can help me

Jake.
 
Some people use garlic soaked food to help their fish eat. You could also try some quarantined feeders, maybe some live food would at least get him interested. I think one reason fish stop eating is because of internal parasites. I'd wait for someone more knowledgeable than me though.
 
Pictures speak volumes, particularly the tail. Water perameters? Gasping suggests poor water quality and/or low O2 levels. I'm going to guess an infection in result to the wounds, and likely an ammonia or nitrite spike that caused it. How long have you had him? how much and how often was he being fed?

If you think it's an infection w/out a doubt... QT him and give him someplace to hide. or divide the tank. I've only used melafix/pimafix on my freshwater eels, includeing my fires. 1/2 suggested dose of each. used at same time. extra airation. do not raise temp or fiddle w/ other equipment. I even leave any carbon in the tank in. I've treated a tire track, and my 3 fire eels successfully w/ this med combo. Also keep the lights off, he'll be less stressed.

I'de also consider picking up some earthworms/nightcrawlers if he looks to be to slim. 2 weeks for an otherwise healthy fish prior is not overly bad. 1 month would give me reason to seriously worry. 2 weeks no food does he look "full" or bloated? my other concern for being off feed would suggest internal parasites (very common ime with these fish) which would lower the immune system, which due to being picked at = infection, lack of hunger, gasping, ect, ect..

If your water comes out clean 0 nitrites 0 ammonia 20 ppm nitrates or less .. I'de treat for infection... if he's still not eating about a week after treatment ( max treatment i've had to run was 5 days) so going on 3-4 weeks.. treat w/ Prazi-pro ( I've used on all my fw eels) or a similar product (no personal experiance but there are many good ones around) And try and induce feeding w/ live foods such as earthworms or ghost shrimp if still refuseing normal food.
 
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