Is My Anthias Sick or Just Lazy? (most likely the first, unfortunately) – 11/14/09
We have 3 female Lyre-tail anthias that we put into our tank about 2 weeks ago. 2 of them appear absolutely fine and swim about all day long. However, one of them tends to just hang upside down (mouth toward the bottom of the tank, tail up) and just stays in one spot, but she is capable of swimming, if another fish comes into her area, she'll swim away normally. She is also taken to sitting in among the live rock of the tank, not looking sick, but just being very still.
<<Mmm…>>
She also doesn't rush the food like the others. She might have a tiny piece or 2 when they are fed, but not the way the others eat. Overall, she looks fine, but her behavior seems abnormal. None of the other fish in the tank (clown, 3 bar gobies, blue damsel, bi-color angel and scooter blenny) seem to be picking on her.
<<Or at least that you have noticed>>
I just wonder if I should be concerned about her.
<<Probably, though there’s little you can do here. This fish may have been somehow damaged during capture/transport before you acquired it…or it may be suffering from an internal parasite…or it may be the target of the very normal conspecific aggression displayed amongst this family of fishes and especially among this particular species; and something that is worsened when these fish are kept in a “too small” display. There is really nothing you can do for the first two conditions at this point other than to continue to provide optimum water conditions, and maybe a “parasitic treated” food, though this latter is moot once the fish has stopped eating well. The third condition can only be improved by placing the group in a suitably large display (at least 6ft in my opinion) if not already, along with increasing the number of conspecifics (2-3 more individuals) to further dilute aggression. Though this species is considered on of the “more suitable” Anthiine species for aquarium keeping, it is by no means an “easy” fish to keep. For most hobbyists, especially if new to keeping Anthiines, I like to suggest Pseudanthias bartlettorum (Bartlett’s Anthias) as a smaller, hardier, and “slightly more social” species of Anthiine which can be kept in a small group (5 individuals) in smaller systems (75g). Or if simply looking for a schooling fish then try one of the much easier to keep, in my opinion, social species of Cardinalfishes (e.g. - Apogon leptacanthus, Sphaeramia nematoptera, etc.)>>
Thanks for any advice or thoughts you an offer.
<<Happy to share… EricR>>

Bartlett's anthias dying   7/23/09
Hi
I need help with my Bartlett's anthias. I have two groups of these fish, 1 male and several females in each group plus three separate males. They were brought in directly from Hawaii.
<No... this species doesn't occur t/here>
They arrived in great condition and every one was drip acclimated to the quarantine systems. Each quarantine tank
<Most Anthiine species I would not quarantine... better to at most dip/bath and place in their permanent setting... Much more to lose than gain by keeping in small settings, in small groups...>
was 30 gallons and each received at most 7 anthias (1 male in each group) which are all on the small side. From day one they have been active, beautifully colored and eating 4 - 5 meals a day, rotating between mysis, enriched brine, fresh chopped shrimp, clam, several types of flakes and marine pellets. For the first several days everyone was fine. After about a week, one fish started to sit on the bottom, colors darkened, still eating.
Put into a hospital tank for observation and it died overnight. Two days latter same scenario. Three days latter everyone was swimming and eating still looking great, than literally from one minute to the next another fish was sitting on the bottom, same as described except the fish had red blotches along the abdomen that looked like bruises, within an hour gone. a few days later another fish has the same red marks but the skin looks as if it were sliced with a knife, This one went into a hospital tank, Kanamycin, erythromycin dead in half an hour. All the other fish still look great and eating everything offered. A week later everyone still looked good and I am thinking the problem has stopped. I just gave them their third meal and 15 minutes later another fish is sitting on the bottom, with red bruise like marks. I just turned of the lights, I am disheartened by the whole thing, at 47 years old with more then 27 years of keeping marine fish and corals I still cannot take the fish or for that matter anything else dying lightly.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Glen
<Perhaps, along with "simple stress", some delayed "bruising" from collection, holding, shipping... Could be expression of a bacterium (Myco...) or even a protozoan (need a 'scope...). At any length, the added stress mentioned above could be avoided... I would not isolate this subfamily... Bob Fenner> 

Re: re: Bartlett's anthias dying  07/23/09
Hello
Thanks for the response,
I didn't mean that they were from Hawaii, rather the exporter is from Hawaii, I got them as part of a bigger order tangs flames etc.
I put them in QT because I figured he is holding them and they were exposed to who knows what.
As a rule should I avoid these fish, I have a newly set up 300 gallon system and I wanted to add them.
Also the one fish sick right now, the red area is deepening into the skin and the breathing is much faster, until I hear from you I guess I will add Kenamycin,
<... misspelled. Please, read: http://wetwebmedia.com/anthidisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. BobF>
Also the females that are with him should I add them to the tank, leave them for treatment?
<... read>
Thanks again
Glen

anthias question... hlth. 4/15/09
Hey crew! I recently purchased 3 anthias from my LFS.
<Species? Sexes?>
I brought them
home and kept them in qt for about 8 days. All fish were eating well and looked fine so I acclimated them to my display tank. Now three days later I have noticed a spot on the male anthias:( It is only a small grain on
the lateral line of this fish. Is there anyway you could tell me what it may possbly be?
<A spot>
My display is a reef set-up, and I would hate for it to be anything serious. Once again all fish are acting normal, eating and swimming normally. This grain like spot is the same color of the fishes skin, and
about the size of a grain of sand. Any help would be much appreciated.
William
<I would not over-react at this juncture... But perhaps be reading on WWM re parasitic disease of marine fishes. Bob Fenner>

Re: anthias question 4/16/09
The species is Dispar, and it is a male.? Paired with 2 females of the same genus and species.
<I see... a good captive choice and sex ratio for a hobby system. I would still hold off treating, moving. B>

Hunchback Lyretail Anthias ~ 01/07/09 Hello, <<Hiya Mike>> I am having a problem where my female Lyretail anthias are developing a "hunchback" kinked spine. <<Mmm…>> These fish were purchased about a year ago from Live Aquaria. <<A reputable vendor, in my opinion>> I have kept groups of anthias in previous tanks successfully and never saw this problem. <<Neither have I>> When I noticed the problem, the anthias in the tank consisted of 2 female bimacs, 3 female Lyretails, and 1 male Lyretail. Their tank is a 90g reef. I noticed two of the female Lyretails developing the condition - one was definitely worse than the other. The condition slowly progressed for months, until one finally died in the fall. Now the second fish's condition is deteriorating to the point of the first fish I lost - I expect to lose it within weeks. I believe the final female Lyretail is also starting to develop the issue. The male and the bimacs are unaffected. <<Thus far… Will keep fingers crossed>> The effected fish are still eating well, but they spend a lot of time resting on the substrate. When they do swim, they swim with clamped fins and by wiggling the body. <<Very bad signs>> The body is not carried horizontally in the water column like it should be. I'm not sure if something happened to these fish before I got them, and it is developing as they grow, or if it is because of something I am doing? <<The condition could indeed be genetic (especially if these fish were collected from the same group in the wild), but perhaps this could also be a bacterial infection causing the curvature or *hunching* of the spine. This is often the case with freshwater fishes, and though I haven’t seen it in marines (that I recall), I suppose it could be so. In fact, I have heard that with freshwater fishes this is sometimes a result of a TB virus infection. The best course here is likely to euthanize this and any other fishes displaying similar symptoms. There are several ways to accomplish this which you can read about here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/euthanasiafaqs.htm . You should probably also consider wearing gloves when capturing/handling these fish>> They get fed a huge variety of foods. <<Vitamin/nutritional deficiencies did also cross my mind>> Until recently I was feeding a cube of frozen food per feeding, twice daily. <<Just a single cube? I would feed more. I would think at least two cubes for the Anthiines you listed, alone. And depending on your overall stocking plan, likely more. You will find that your fishes will be healthier, more colorful, and probably less aggressive, if *well* fed>> Basically I buy every type of frozen food and cycle through them. I use Sally's San Francisco Bay Brand (SFB) Emerald Entree, SFB Plankton, SFB Spirulina Enriched Brine Shrimp, SFB Marine Cuisine, SFB Mysis, Hikari Bloodworms, Hikari Daphnia, Hikari Krill, Cyclop-eeze, Roe (from an Asian grocery), <Mmm, not likely Cyclops roe/eggs... but the adults. RMF>  Ocean Nutrition (ON) Prime Reef, ON Formula Two, ON Angel Formula, and ON Special Formula VHP. I have them all in a stack in the freezer and work my way through the pile. <<Very good… And this is an excellent assortment of foods. But do consider feeding *several* at a time>> Recently (about 2 months ago) I also added an automatic feeder feeding an additional 4 times daily with a similar variety of dried foods (mix of various Ocean Nutrition, Spectrum, etc pellets and flakes). <<Ah, excellent… Hopefully these additional offerings are accepted by all…>> This is a mixed reef with a focus on SPS, so water conditions are pretty good. 35ppt, 420 Ca, 9 Alk, 20ppm nitrate (been trying to get this lower for a while to no avail). <<Yes… Doesn’t (actually shouldn’t) be zero, but should be less than half this reading for this tank>> There was a time in the past about a year ago, around the time that I got the anthias where the nitrates were much higher, enough to take a toll on some of my stony corals. <<Uh-oh>> Not sure if that could lead to something like this. <<Not directly maybe but the stress on the fishes re, with subsequent depression of their immune systems, may lead to such complaints>> Stray voltage was suggested, but I've tested and the readings are low (also have a grounding probe). <<Hmm, yes… Another possibility here then I think… Consider the possibility the ground-probe only worsens such problems by *completing* a circuit and providing a continuous path for the electrons. In other words, a *current of electricity* as caused/provided by the ground is worse than any *stray voltage*. Have a read here and see what you think: http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM/Aquarium/GroundingProbes.html >> I'm not sure whether this is a disease and could spread, or is environmentally caused, or simply out of my control all together. <<Not out of your control… Just need to determine the cause to come up with the best solution. Right now, considering you do say you show stray voltage in the tank, I would remove the ground probe and see what develops. If the fish continues to worsen then I think you should consider removing and destroying>> I attached some pictures of the fish - notice the exaggerated curve in the beginning of the lateral line. <<Yes, I see this. Definitely something amiss>> Sorry for the long email, thanks for your time. Mike Meyer <<No problem Mike. I will also ask Bob if he sees this to add his spin on the problem here. Regards, Eric Russell>> <Other than the probable influences mentioned... lack or mal-nutrition, genetics, infectious disease... possibly "old-age" is about all I would add as a conjecture. RMF>

Concerns about carberryi Anthias 10/23/08
Dear Crew,
<Carolyn>
Am at a loss to how to help one of my fish and can't find anything in the FAQ that fully covers it, so here goes...
About 2 months ago I bought a shoal of 4 carberryi Anthias (1 male, 3 females), all of which went immediately into QT
<Mmm, most Anthiine species are iffy in terms of such isolation... there is a question of balance, are they better off so accommodated or is it better to hasten them along, place directly into the DT?>
with a Copperband bought at the same time. The Copperband showed signs of illness within days and the Anthias removed to a second QT in case there was any infection (the CB later died). All was fine, all Anthias eating voraciously and on lots of different prepared foods (krill Pacifica a firm favourite).
<Good>
About 2 weeks into QT, the male Anthias began to look as if he was having swim bladder problems, not feeding as well and swimming against the side of the tank as if for support. On Bobs advice, all four were moved to the display tank at that point to give them access to pods etc.
<Good>
The male has never recovered and seems to be slowly starving - his belly is now almost concave and his colour is very pale.
<Rats!>
The dominant female has now changed sex and he together with the two females are looking very healthy (good bright colouring, eating very well, fed twice daily + a third time if I can work from home), plus all three are growing well. Its the little male I'm worried about. I've come to the conclusion that he'll probably never improve and will eventually starve to death.
<Is a common result...>
He shows no interest in food at all even when fed in isolation (which we've tried in conjunction with SeaChem Para Guard which was recommended as a good all round treatment?). The tank/water details are: ammonia and nitrite 0, nitrate <5ppm, temperature 26 Celsius, SG 1.026 (tank size 120 gallon).
Is this also your opinion? If so, how is the most humane way to deal with him - I don't want him to slowly die from starvation.
<Am given to not giving up... do you have a refugium that you can move this fish to? This is what I would do. BobF>
Many thanks in advance,
Carolyn

re: concerns about carberryi Anthias 10/23/08
Dear Bob,
Many thanks once again for your help - we do indeed have refugium, as part of the sump system under the tank, so will move him across and see if we can't bring him round!
Carolyn
<Ahh! Good. Let us hope the food, respite there will help this fish to rally. Thank you for this follow-up. BobF>

Unsure how to treat ill Anthias? 9/24/08
Dear Crew,
<Carolyn>
Apologies if this comes up elsewhere - I've had a read through the FAQs and articles but can't find the answer!
<May not "be there">
I currently have 4 small (2-2.5in) Nemanthias carberryi in a QT, they've been in for 2 weeks but I'm intending on keeping them in for another 3 (they were originally in with a Copperband which died within 1 week of a suspected infection, the Anthias were moved to a separate tank and the QT restarted). All four fish have been feeding very well up until this morning, when I notic ed the male wasn't showing any interest in food.
<Mmm, a couple of things... this genus is found in large shoals (social animals) and don't generally do well in quarantine. By and large I'm an advocate of perfunctory acclimation, placement of Anthiines>
He looks slightly paler than yesterday and his eyes are definitely paler than the females (sex difference?),
<Maybe>
and he's remaining in one spot rather than swimming with the others. I managed to get a good look at him and he has brown tips to his caudal fins. He seems to be breathing more rapidly than usual and has very slight red marks on his snout. The tank is only small, approx. 30-40l so I do fairly large water changes daily (taken from the display tank)
<Good>
to keep water quality good. Ammonia and nitrite are 0, nitrate is approx. 10-15ppm. pH is 8.3, temperature 78 Fahrenheit and specific gravity 1.025.
Despite eating the fish don't seem to be getting any fatter. Is this a case where all I can do is keep water quality high and hope for the best, or is there something I can do to help this little guy?
Many thanks,
Carolyn
<I'd move into the main display. There may be somethings re this here: http://wetwebmedia.com/anthiselfaqs.htm
Bob Fenner>

Re: unsure how to treat ill Anthias? 9/24/08
Dear Bob,
Thanks for the reply - once again I owe you and the rest of the crew my sanity! You truly are a mine of information, and I have to say I'm looking forward to my next dives even more for learning about each species through this hobby.
<Ahh!>
Best wishes,
Carolyn
<And you, BobF>

Re: Angelfish in large aquarium, Anthias hlth., Damsel sel.    8/13/08
Well, the other reason I'm hesitant to go the anthias route is quarantine.
<By and large I would not quarantine this subfamilies' members... Summarily dip/bath and place>
I know anthias are typically hard to feed at first and require some room, I'd hate to try to quarantine a school of 10 anthias without having any live rock or a big tank. I've got two 29g tanks I can use as quarantine, so I could put 5 in each but still with them being such poor frozen food eaters I think I might have some bad luck there.
Although my Lyretail anthias I've had in the past always ate frozen meaty foods just fine, I didn't notice them doing it for a month or so, most of them just seemed to live off what was in the tank and once they got really comfortable, then they started chasing around my frozen bits of meat.
I guess I better go read in your anthias section, again :) I haven't perused that section since I first discovered WWM 2 years ago.
<New/er all the time>
Larger species of schooling damsels? Can you give a name or two of specific types so I can do some research?
<See... WWM... Perhaps just common Chromis viridis>
Now, not that I think for a minute you don't know what you're talking about :) but I've got Semilarvatus B/F (2) in the tank, a purple tang, a Desjardini sailfin tang, checkerboard wrasse and hopefully soon to come a Emperor and Queen angel. Is there really a species of damsel that wont frighten the B/F?
<? Oh yes... there are several (from the ME meaning many) schooling species that are relatively easygoing>
They are only about 3 inches right now. Very piggish and healthy eaters, but I've just heard such bad things about damsels.
<Avoid the territorial "individual" species...>
I'll definitely send some pictures along of my efforts. It might still be a while until I do some rock bommies but it will make a good winter project. I wont be putting the two bigger angels into the tank for at least another month, more likely 2 or 3, so I've got some time to decide what course I want to take, or even if I want to attempt two angels, I might still just stick with the Emperor.
<Ok>
I don't know if you ever get tired of hearing it, but I sure appreciate the work you and your crew do. I've learned what scientists term "a freaking ton" and learn more everyday. My fish and I both appreciate it, the former more than the latter I'm sure.
Grant
<Ah, welcome! BobF>

Anthiinae Placement/Chaetomorpha Growth – 02/08/08
Hey crew,
<<Hello>>
This is my first time writing, though I've been visiting your web site for almost a year now.
<<Welcome then… How may I assist?>>
Because of WWM and very a helpful LFS (ALL ABOUT FISH in Concord, CA) my 125g long is a thriving soft/LPSs reef.
<<Ah, very nice to know>>
My current stock:
1- 6" Blonde Naso
1- 5" Emperor Angel
<<Do be aware, this tank is not large enough for the above mentioned fishes for the long-term. As these grow they will need twice this volume to preclude developmental/behavioral/health issues>>
1-2.5" Purple Firefish
1 large Colt Coral
1 med Frogspawn
Misc. mushrooms, hermit crabs, snails, etc...
I have a 40g ‘fuge (Chaetomorpha)
<<Excellent>>
Euro-reef RS100 skimmer
<<I do like this brand of skimmer… I have an (old?) CS12-3 that a couple of the Sedra pumps just died on. I replaced all with a trio of the ER-modded Eheim 1262 pumps and WOW…falling in love with this skimmer all over again! …but enough about me [sheepish-grin]>>
There are no water quality issues; I do 20g weekly water changes, sometimes more.
<<This “is” about the single-best thing hobbyists can do for their systems>>
My Emperor and Naso are my "Pets" and will readily eat out of my hand.
<<Yes, can become quite “personable”>>
After several months of waiting, my LFS received 9 Bartlett’s Anthias (1 male, 8 female).
<<A very aquarium hardy species>>
Would this be too many?
<<Right now, no…but do keep in mind the future requirements of the tang and angel>>
How long to qt?
<<I don’t recommend quarantine for Anthiines…best to place directly in the display>>
I have a 29g FOWLR (6 months old or set up my 55g (would be bare) what would be the best protocol?
<<As stated>>
Also I have read/heard conflicting facts on the growth of Chaetomorpha algae. I have a very slow growth rate. I have 40 watts of PC lighting on a reverse cycle. PO4 is undetectable, NO3 10-15 (API and Red Sea test kits) any thoughts or suggestions?
<<A couple… Try boosting both light intensity (65w+) and spectral quality (5000K-6500K), and flow (add a small powerhead for circulation) to the refugium. Regards, EricR>>

Fairy Basslet in hiding  7/8/07
Hello WWM!
Long time reader, First time poster
<Welcome. We are strangers but once>
I have had 2 Bartlett's Anthias for 3 yrs now. The male appears in poor health.
<Mmmm... like most Anthiines, better to have in a larger number grouping... but this/these may well be reaching senescence... old age>
I have a 120 reef system with sump, skimmer, good flow produced by close loop with sequencing unit and chiller. I do bi monthly 20% water changes. Tankmates include a Majestic Angel,
<Mmm, this species needs more room than this... by about a minimum of twice>
2 Ocellaris, 3 Chromis, 2 Banggai Cardinals. I feed 2x a day every other day a mix of Mysis, Formula 2 frozen and Cyclop-eeze. (small amounts, slowly....a 6 yr. routine) I also add locally cultivated reef stew to my tank once a month.... yummy treats!
My problem is this, for the past 3 days the male Anthias has been hiding in rock crevices around the bottom of my tank.
<Perhaps age... maybe something to do with the other fish/es...>
The first day, he came out to eat. Yesterday he did not come out during feeding time; however, he did move about, but ate nothing ( I fed out of schedule to entice him out ). Today, he is MIA. I assume he is in the back rockwork not visible to me.
<Maybe>
I did notice that his color became more intense during this time. The pink hue almost a hot pink. I thought that perhaps his breathing was labored as well.
I did look closely at him and noticed NO evidence of injury or outward sign of bacterial infection.
I was hoping you would be able to shed some light on my experience.
Thank you for your dedication.
Kim
<Mmm, if there were room psycho- and physio-logically in this system, I'd suggest adding three or five more females of the species... As it is... just waiting. Bob Fenner>

Re: Fairy Basslet in hiding – 07/08/07
Thank you for your reply Bob,
<Welcome Kim>
The male Anthias has indeed found hiding in the back of the tank. I shooed him to a crevice in the front of my tank. If/when he dies, I would like to easily remove whatever portions my Jumbo Nassarius snails do not devour.
<Okay>
As he was swimming to the front, he wasn't really swimming, he was more like shimmying with his tail down and snout up. He is still fat as ever and his color is extremely intense, I would say at least 2x or even more....it's almost as if he's running a high fever 0_o
<Good desc.>
Regarding possible harassment between tank mates. I have a peaceful community for the time being.
<Ah, good>
I have often thought about trading to my LFS the well mannered (reef tank) Majestic that I have had for 5 yrs. (small for his maturity... maybe 6" in length),
<This is likely "it" size-wise here... Has been "bonsaied" by the size et al. restraints of this system>
I just don't know if he'll be placed in a better environment and this bothers me. I have arranged my tank in such a way as to provide the most possible lateral swimming area. I have taken much grief on forums for my approach as I use less LR than is popular today. I have 110lbs in my 120 AGA and 20 gal sump.
<I see>
Using island and arches to provide the hiding spaces needed; I like to keep my rock completely surrounded with brisk current keeping pores from clogging quickly, not to mention more surface area for the biological filtration process to take place.
<Well stated; and done>
Apologies for my long windedness.( I could have gone on and on :) )
Thank you for your time.
Kim
<And you for sharing. Bob Fenner>

Anthias problems, incidental mortality  4/10/07
I have searched a great deal of information from your website with a lot of success. I am starting to run out of ideas for my current situation. Two months ago, I placed 19 disbar anthias in my 265g reef tank. I have two males and seventeen females.
<A good number, ratio...>
I placed seven anthias in the tank for one week, then added 12 more one week later. Two weeks ago, I found two dead anthias. The following week I noticed that one anthias started to die after another. I now only have 10 left. I  been feeding them Cyclop-Eeze, mysis shrimp, and flake food at least twice a day.
<Mmm, yes... best to have a thriving refugium, other means for providing food organisms almost constantly>
They all appear to be eating quite fine when I feed them. The other inhabitants in the tank are 6 blue/green chromis, green mandarin, and a purple fridmani. The other fish don't seem to bother the anthias at all. I have a 50g refugium and pumps that circulate 1200 gallons of water an hour. I have approximately 400lbs of live rock in the tank and three 175 watt metal halides for my various corals. The current temperature in the tank is 74.6, the alkalinity is 90, and the calcium level is 420. I really don't know what else to do. I would greatly appreciate any help that you can provide. Thank You.
<This reads like a/the not uncommon situation with this subfamily... "Something"... perhaps an internal parasite, starvation (previous to your acquisition), other challenge resulting in the inevitable loss of a number/all members of a group... Does happen, as stated, quite often... How to avoid? If there's facilities for holding a population before your transfer... to assure their health... At this point, bolstering food value by soaking in a vitamin/HUFA prep. (e.g. Zoe, MicroVit...) is a good idea... Bob Fenner>

5"  Bicolor Anthias in a 19 gallon QT   10/27/06
Hi Everyone!
First I just want to say how great your site is, I've been lurking for 4 months now and have learned a great deal from all of you!
My problem is I have a really big (5") Bicolor Anthias and 1 2" Flame Angel in a 10 gallon QT and the tank gets cloudy after just one day! I read that they need to be fed 2-3 times a day because of their metabolism and he is eating everything I give him and whatever he doesn't like the Angel is taking. How can I keep the tank clean?
<Mmm... I see your statement below re water changes... pretty much this/these and perhaps more bio. and mechanical filtration... Adding a hang-on open power filter>
Besides doing 30% water changes daily of course.
Second problem is that he is a very picky eater, so far he'll only eat brine or Mysis shrimp. I did all the testing this morning in tiny quantities to see what he likes. Flakes and pellets, he picks up but spits out right away. I tried 2 small chunks of frozen plankton (Hikari brand) spit that out too. I know brine and Mysis shrimp are not good staples but I don't know what else to try. Luckily the angel loves it all!
How long should I keep him in quarantine if he looks good?
Louise
<At least two weeks... unless circumstances, appearances indicate that otherwise the fishs health will be impugned. Bob Fenner>

Disease
Anthony,
<Steven Pro in this morning before running off to MACNA.>
I purchased some Bicolor Anthias from Marine Center, unfortunately since they claim to QT their livestock I added them directly to my main tank.
<They should have still been QT by you again. There is always the additional shipping trauma to get them through.>
The 3 that I purchased from them died within less then a week. Now the 2 that I have had for more the 8 months are looking bad.
<The first three that died could have had some initial conditions, but living eight months points to something going on in your tank.>
1 is in my QT tank, he has medium to large white spots where the color has faded, and is not moving much. The other went in the rocks and stills looks ok but isn't as active as it has been for the last few months. System water test ok:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
pH 8.2
Cal 425
KH 11
System temperature 79 degrees
<All seems well>
Any suggestion, yes I know that I should have QT the incoming fish but I always heard good thing about MC from your web site
<As have I, but like I mentioned above, being put in a little plastic bag and shipped across the country is stressful. QT gives then time to settle down, put on some weight, and show any signs of disease, before going into the display where they have to compete. Now to your problem, nothing jumps out at me. You have witnessed these guys eat, no one is picking on them, you have a refugium, and plenty of room for everyone?>
Thanks, Mark Johnson
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Sudden Anthias Deaths
Hello,
<Good evening! Scott F. here tonight!>   
I haven't written you guys for quite some time, thought I had learned a lot and had things under control.  You guys helped me save my purple tang and maroon clown from a bad case of ich.  I just returned them a week ago to my main tank after two months of leaving it fallow and everything is wonderful in there, so I decided to purchase new fish.
<Glad to hear that!>
I bought a pair of lyretail Anthias last night. I put them in a freshwater ph adjusted , methyl blue dip, temp. 78 for 10 minutes which is what I had dipped my other fish for and I watched the Anthias the whole time for any signs of discomfort but they seemed fine for the entire dip.
<Great procedure>
Then I put them in my quarantine tank which I had tested and all levels were great.  Ammonia and Nitrite were zero, Ph 8.2, temp 78 and salinity 1.023.  Soon after I put them in the male kept floating a little to one side and then leveling himself out, then I came to look at him again and he was upside down, I thought that was a very bad sign, but then he righted himself again.  Anyway the point of the story is that today they are both dead and I thought I did everything right.  My question is did I leave them in the freshwater dip too long, or were they sick from the get go? The guy at my LFS said they were doing good at his store and were a healthy pair, they looked good to me as well, although they kept
hiding under the rocks at the LFS.  What did I do to kill these fish overnight, please if you have any idea, let me know so I don't do it again. Thank you, Kylee Peterson
< Well, Kylee- first of all- don't be too hard on yourself. Your procedure was excellent! Initial dips and quarantine are excellent ways to prevent a variety of problems. Please don't let this experience change your diligent efforts. The possibilities here are numerous. It's really hard to say exactly what caused their sudden death. Typically, sudden events like this are the result of some form of shock, brought on by environmental changes, disease, or even poisoning. Perhaps they fell victim to osmotic shock as a result of the dip...Sometimes, even the use of prophylactic medication, such as copper, malachite green, etc. can be toxic to these fishes. There is also the possibility that these specimens were stressed or in the process of contracting a disease before you even purchased them. The fact that they were hiding in the dealer's tank was a possible tip-off to some kind of condition. It was certainly not your fault that the fishes died. It was probably a combination of several factors, which combined to create this unfortunate result. Don't be afraid to try again with these fishes, but do select some individuals that are actively swimming about the tank. Perhaps that might give you the "edge" that you need to be successful with this fish. Good luck!>

Anthias In Trouble...
I recently purchased a pair of square Anthias from a trusted LFS (I say trusted because it is the only LFS that I have never had fish problems with).  Anyway, I have them both in a quarantine tank, but the male (about 3.5-4 inches) is not faring well.  Initially, he was not moving around very much, just remaining almost vertical near the side of the tank. Next he
began to break the surface gasping for air, and spitting water.  Too, I have noticed long strings of feces (sometimes brown, sometimes white) trailing off behind him.  These problems have since subsided.
<Possibly sign of an internal parasitic infection of some sort>
Now it appears as if he cannot right himself, sometimes sitting on the bottom, sometimes sideways, sometimes upside down.
Occasionally when upside down, he will catch himself as if surprised, and will swim normally back down to the bottom.
<Hmm.. that sounds like an equilibrium problem of some sort, possibly caused by improper decompression/collection procedures...>
I just noticed yesterday, that his right eye is swollen, and appears as if the bubble on the eye is full of water (as it glistens as if filled).
<Well, that could have been some sort of trauma to the eye caused by hitting his eyes on the tank walls or some other object.>
I have not seen the male eat, even when tempted (as suggested in
one of your threads) with live brine shrimp.  He is not at the top anymore, but just lying on the bottom, directly under the filter or next to an air stone, almost motionless, usually not upright.  His breathing appears a little shallow.  I do see him occasionally wave his fins about.  The little female appears perfectly healthy.
<Sounds like he really suffered during collection, and has had some possible medical challenges as a result>
In the quarantine tank are 1 sponge filter, and three airstones (pumps). All parameters are perfect.  I have been keeping the lights in the tank off.
<All sounds great>
Any suggestions?  I hate to see this fish suffer.  His mate tries to comfort him, but she gets no reaction from him.
Thank you.
<Well, as far as the swollen eye is concerned, you certainly can try Epsom salts in the tank to help draw down the swelling. On the other hand, it seems like the other possible problems that he is having are related to capture and collection. You will just have to keep up the TLC. Provide him with some more nutritious food options, such as Sweetwater plankton (a "fresh" product that comes packed in water in a jar. Good stuff!!! You can get it from Drs. Foster & Smith on line..). Keep your water conditions optimum, and the tank well-aerated...Don't quite on this guy...Good luck! Regards, Scott F> 

Cloudy Eyes?
Hi Guys
<Scott F. your guy tonight>
Done a search but after spending an hour looking couldn't find the right question/answer Had a kashiwae Anthias with cloudy eye - Popeye - no eye. Water conditions as good as they are gonna be.......no other fish with problems.
<okay...>
Now another of the same batch of Anthias has developed a similar problem. Is this parasitic ?? I was of the understanding that this wasn't a contagious problem..........or am I mistaken.
<Well, sometimes these types of problems are a result of water conditions. I know that you indicated that they were good, but perhaps this was a result of poor environmental conditions somewhere along the chain of custody from reef to store.>
Is this likely to have come in on the fish (if parasitic) and what can be done to treat.........tank is around 1000G full of corals/inverts/fish so no chemical treatment and no way can the fish come out.
<Well, this doesn't sound like a parasitic malady to me. Possibly you're seeing a bacterial infection of some sort. It may be possible to treat the affected fishes with antibiotic foods. Of course, I'd continue to maintain excellent water conditions, and quarantine all new arrivals for a minimum of 3 weeks.>
Would love to hear your thoughts. Any sites or links to research on this problem would be appreciated if you guys know any.
Regards, Steve.
<Well Steve, I'm not aware of any specific sites that specialize in disease, but you can peruse the WWM site, or do a key word search on one of the larger search engines under "fish diseases", and see what you can come up with. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Lyretail Anthias
Bob,
I spoke too soon! Approaching the 3 week mark in the quarantine process. The
male Lyretail Anthias has shown a 1/8" black spot on its right of the gill
cover close to the mouth. It almost looks like an ingrown hair. The spot
protrudes approximately 1/16". The Lyretail looks great and acts in a normal
mode.
Went to the LFS and was told to treat with Formalin for a day or so. Came
home and then went to your Wet Web Media. Now I'm confused. Should I try to
treat the quarantine tank with Formalin? The two females look fine. Or should
I do a quick freshwater dip with Formalin for approximately 10 minutes? I am
always open to recommendations. I was really hoping to place them in my
mini-reef, but now I am reluctant.
Thanks again for your help
<IMO, emphatically just the dip and formalin... the Anthiines don't do well, neither do quarantine systems treated with formalin/formaldehyde... likely to do more harm than good as anything other than a dip/bath... and very likely the "black hair thing" is no problem... Do get these fish into a larger system, feeding ASAP... two weeks should be long enough for this protocol/quarantine.
Bob Fenner>

Sick fish
Bob
My male Lyretail Anthias just showed up with a dark lump the size of a BB under his skin at the base of one of his fins. It is making the fin stick straight out affecting his swimming a little. He has seemed to have lost his appetite also. 
<Not good>
This is so strange he was doing great yesterday. He is in a reef tank so there is no way I can catch him. Any idea what this could be and any suggestions for treatment that will not hurt my corals? Can this spread to my other fish?
<Not likely catching... maybe an ulceration from a parasite (internal)...>
Thank you for you help
Jason
P.S. How do you get compensated for all this work. Is there some place I can send you some money for all your help?
<No my friend. Your participation, involvement, sharing here is more than enough. Bob Fenner>

Touchy fish acclimation and feeding
Howdy Bob!
<Howdy, Chief! Anthony Calfo in your service while Bob sits in a corner trying to crack brazil nuts open with his forehead>
Because of all your good counsel and website information, my
personal contacts are at least dwindling in their frequency.
Thanks again, and I hope you will help me with a two-part question.
< I shall do my best>
Because my local LFS is dealing with some water-quality issues,
and I still have a backlog of pre-paid fish coming in, I have
taken to having them notify me ahead of their arrival (via
air freight), and I go right down when they get them in, and
bring them home. Naturally, this isn't as nice as if they had
been living and eating there at the LFS for a period of time,
but it is my present reality.
<we do the best we can with what we can>
Anyway, I carefully follow your guerilla guide to acclimation of
my new arrivals, but it is my impression that by the time I remove
them from their "combo-freshwater-shipping-water-with-blue-green-
additives" mix, they appear more sluggish and 'wiped-out' than
the ones from the same batch who go through an 'LFS standard'
acclimation (of gradually adding tank water into their bags and
then releasing). Watching my fish in their cat-litter-box they
just seem to sit and sometimes their back end curls around a bit
towards the front. I don't want to stress them further, so
I don't poke & prod, and usually, after about 5 to 7 minutes, I
gently transfer them to my lights-out acclimation tank. Sometimes
they speed away when I put them in, sometimes they just seem to
barely sink to the bottom, and hang out.
<quite natural>
So, part 1 of my question is this: Is this normal for a fish going through this kind of dip / acclimation treatment, and (just for reassurance) is it still better because of the reduced risk of disease than just mixing waters and releasing?
<indeed...cannot mix waters>
Part 2. In last night's delivery, I received a male/female pair
of purple queen Anthias (they didn't have lyretail). I know they
are much more touchy fish, but they were beautiful looking
<Arrgghhh... not the best reason when unprepared>
and I had spoken to someone who had had three in a very small and
simple reef for a long while
<more than a year and still fat at that time?>
, so I decided to give it a shot. They are still sitting on the bottom of the acclimation tank, breathing OK, and watching with their eyes, but not real motivated to eat. I am going to try "first flake",
<I'll eat your hat if they eat flake for you.. hehe. Need meaty food...may even have to resort to live>
and Mysis shrimp, but wondered if you had any good ideas about how to tempt one of these pretties into eating?
<frozen mysids and Pacifica plankton are good whole foods in the long run...a good specialized homemade recipe like in Bob's CMA will be better. In the meantime, try gut loaded live guppies or ghost shrimp if the fish are large enough, or enriched live brine (Selcon) if still small>
Thank you so much for your help. Sincerely, Jim Raub
<keep us posted please. with kind regards, Anthony>

Truncate Anthias
Hi, me again.
<Cheers, Anthony Calfo in your service>
This time I have a question about an Anthias. His name is Felix and he's the coolest little orange fish you have ever seen, 
<I'll take your word on it although you really have no idea just how many spoonfuls of recreational drugs I've done and subsequently how many cool little orange fish I've seen. Of course, I suspect yours doesn't have hands with opposable thumbs...hehe>
but he's not feeling well.
<tell me about it, my friend>
About a month ago I did my water change and filter change and there after he's been hiding. The water was a little cold as I use purified sea water and it had been sitting by the door. I usually wait about a day after getting the water but I had accidentally drained the tank too much and had gone to get more water letting it sit for only about an hour. Anyway he's hiding, and this fish was king of his tank before!!! All the other fish, inverts, and coral are doing fine, no one else was affected. One thing I should add is when the water was tested last week (I do this on a weekly basis) the pH was low. After adding some buffer Felix seems to be more interested in the world outside his cave. He's even come out to perch on the rock in the light. I can see that he has lost no weight at all so I figured he eats off the water column behind the rock (I have a pair of
threadfin gobies that are doing the same thing). His color is still not
great but at least he's still alive!!! (I love this fish!) My question is should I find another Anthias or should I buy a royal Gramma and try to play on his aggression 
<another Anthiinae may be tolerable (females) but never play on their aggression. Our tanks are too small. Try different food too. With Anthiines you simply have to try Sweetwater zooplankton (keep refrigerated). It is incredible for Anthias species>
(My last one was kicked around the tank for several months before he was accepted!) (disappeared mysteriously after the addition of a new
powerhead?) I ask this because I cannot find another truncate Anthias, Felix was a mix up as he came in as a purple queen. I would hate to add another Anthias only to worry about it not having a proper buddy. 
<yes. please don't mix species>
I once tried to save a purple square Anthias from a LFS, and Felix loved him, when his attacks were ignored by the larger Anthias he decided this guy need love and attacked everybody else who got too close. Or do you think that I should try and see if I can't find another truncate? 
<try the food first and slightly warmer water...then maybe a buddy if you feel you must>
My main concern is to keep Felix alive and happy, and while he's alive, he's not happy. Thanks again Kim
<his behavior is not because of the single cool water event. That was coincidental. Some aspect of water chemistry (like pH which should be 8.3 to 8.6 daily) is the real culprit most likely. Best regards, Anthony>