Long Nose Butterfly/Acclimation 1/29/08
Good Morning Crew!
<Hello Gans>
I have had a Long Nose Butterfly in my tank for a 6 days now. He is the only fish in a 60gal/LR 6 month old tank. He was doing great for the first 3 days & ate everything I fed him but since yesterday he is just hiding in the same spot among the live rock and doesn't want to come out. When I feed him Mysis he doesn't seem interested anymore. I gave him a clam this morning and didn't seem interested either.
I understand from the material in WWM that these guys take time to adjust etc but I am asking because he was doing great for the first few days but now has become a recluse. I don't see any physical evidence of something going on.
I have increased the temp from 75 to 78 and turned off the MaxiJet 1200 inside the tank that I had for extra circulation.
<No, no, turn that pump back on, these fish need good circulation.>
SG is 1.025 though. I see you recommend 1.020.
Anything else I can try to help him adjust?
<Since their primary source of food is zooplankton, I'd try feeding some Cyclop-Eeze.
I would do a 10% water change with the makeup water adjusted to 1.020. The goal isn't to get down to 1.020 but somewhat lower than 1.025. Keep in mind that these fish require very good water quality. I would suggest using a good chemical media such as Chemi Pure. Do keep a close eye on the fish for signs of parasitical infection and, if present, quarantine and treat immediately. You may want to keep the lights off until this fish hopefully acclimates to it's new surroundings.>
Thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Gans

Keeping Cleaner Shrimp / Butterfly Possible Ich – 06/28/07
Hi Team
Thanks for the advice you've given in the past. I have a couple (unfortunately) long of questions about new arrivals.
Yesterday I tried my 3rd attempt at a cleaner shrimp.
The first survived a week in QT, the second 24 hours so I decided with the 3rd to go straight to the show tank. After a 2 hour drip acclimatization process the shrimp looked pretty weak. Within an hour of putting into the tank it was dead.
<Mmm, something very amiss here... likely with some aspect of water quality>
My parameters all look good
SG 1.024, PH 8.3, Nutrients undetectable and temp 79F.
Did the Acclimatization take too long starving it of oxygen ?
<Not likely>
The water it arrived in had quite a high PH
(1.027/8)
<Mmm, specific gravity>
hence the 2 hour acclimatization.
<Needs much more time for this accommodation... days>
Any ideas why I don't have much luck with these. BTW its a 90G FOWLR, ETSS reef devil, Fuge, UV. 2 x ocellaris, 1 x Kole tang, Plenty of worms/pods/snails/macro and micro algae etc.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/shrimpdisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above>
My second question is regarding a yellow longnose butterfly that arrived yesterday and is in QT. He looks very happy, although not eating in first attempt - will try again today and expect it to take a while.
<Yes>
Only question is a few very small white spots on its Caudal fin. They look like air bubbles but they don't seem to be moving so more likely a parasite hole ?.
<Maybe...>
If the fish doesn't show any other signs - spots on its body, erratic breathing or movement, sluggishness etc. How long should I wait before ich treatment ?
<Until real symptoms show>
Unfortunately the QT was used for snails previously and has a small amount of substrate/rock/mushrooms. I didn't want to remove this prior to putting the fish in as I was hoping it would help with the biological filter and I thought the rock would help the butterfly feel at home and give it something to pick on.
<I agree. Would have done the same>
There is also an Eheim Classic. This QT has been running for quite a while.
<Good>
I tried taking a photo but the dots are not showing up. I will try again later after cleaning the only exposed side of the QT. The rest is blacked out but there is lighting.
Thanks
-Peter
<Better by far to be cautious, patient in these circumstances... Bob Fenner>

Re: Keeping Cleaner Shrimp / Butterfly Possible Ich    – 06/28/07
I forgot to say, the butterfly is not picking at the live rock in the QT at all. It also ignored some live brine shrimp. It has been in QT for 36 hours.
<The picking is a good sign. BobF>

Re: Keeping Cleaner Shrimp / Butterfly Possible Ich – 06/28/07
Thanks Bob,
Firstly, my typo mistake about SG/PH.
<No worries...>
Sorry. Next time I will try a much longer drip knowing it won't starve of oxygen.
<Ah, good. A thousandth (0.001) difference made up every two days is about right>
Now onto the butterfly. I'm concerned that it doesn't seem to be picking at the rock or showing any interest in live brine shrimp or frozen Mysis.
<Oh, sorry... thought I'd read that it was picking on the rock... The other foods are unnatural... all take a while to "get used to" in captivity... days to weeks>
Is there anything else to look for. I read that an open clam may interest it.
<Mmm, not this species likely... more "worm like" or sessile small crustaceans would be better>
Is this just a regular clam from the supermarket opened with a shank and dropped in ?
Your article on the longnose said red marks on the mouth are a very bad sign.
<Yes>
This one has a small amount of red in the bottom jaw right at the front but I can't tell if this is a mark or its teeth. Its very small. There is also a very small (pin head) red dot further back on his jaw at the side.
Thanks
-Peter
<I do hope your Forcipiger will rally. Bob Fenner>
 

Re: Keeping Cleaner Shrimp / Butterfly Possible Ich – 06/28/07 Thanks Bob. I'm hoping too. I've attached a couple of pics that show he white spots on fin and redness near mouth. <I see this/these> Do you know what a normal breathing rate would be for this fish ? <Mmm, 30-40 gill movements per minute or so> Would it be comparable to my Kole tang ? <A bit less> I'm considering lowering SG to 1.020 to help relieve stress. <Mmm, possibly a good move...> I know that's not the same as my main tank but my priority now is to get him comfortable in the QT and worry about transferring later on. Do you think this is a good idea ? Thanks -Peter <If you have no invertebrates... not much on/in your LR/LS that might be mal-affected, I would do this. BobF>

Forcipiger Butterfly Fish With Badly Damaged Mouth/Snout – 06/11/07
I have this Longnose Butterfly fish for last 6 months. Awesome fish, eats out of my hands. I came back home and to my horror I saw that the fish actually has broken its nose.
<<Uh-oh...not good>>
I have no clue how it happened.
<<Obviously some physical trauma...any large and or aggressive fishes in this system with the Butterfly?>>
It hurt to see him like this.
<<Indeed>>
What should I do?
<<Firstly...remove this fish from the display and place in a hospital/quarantine tank>>
Will he heal up, will the nose regenerate?
<<I’m afraid not>>
I believe it must have stuck its nose in a crevice and got startled.
<<Mmm, possibly...or maybe this fish had already received some physical trauma to its snout during capture/transport that has compounded through whatever circumstance (self-affliction or otherwise) in the display tank>>
If he can be saved then I would love too see him survive.
<<Will depend on the severity of the damage and whether or not the fish can still feed, and survive the possibility of secondary bacterial infection>>
Please advise. Here is the link to the forum where I have its pictures posted
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=389786#post389786
<<This looks very, very, bad...the “break” appears to be very high up on the mouth/snout. As already stated, remove this fish to a tank where it can be isolated/treated/closely observed. Use a scalpel or “very” sharp scissors to remove the dangling snout. You can then carefully swab the wound with iodine, being very careful to keep it out of the fish’s eye and gills. Observe the fish closely for signs of infection (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/infectio.htm) and to determine if the fish can still consume food. If the fish can’t feed (as is my suspicion here), then in my opinion it should be euthanized (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/euthanasiafaqs.htm)>>
Sincerely,
Vick
<<Sorry I don’t have a better prognosis. EricR>>

Forcipiger flavissimus with 'broken' rostrum  4/6/07
Hello Crew-
I have a bit of a dilemma at the moment that I would appreciate your advice on.
<Okay>
This evening as I went by the aquarium to see what a dog was barking at, apparently my butterfly was startled. Hearing an odd noise, to my dismay he had rocketed from the tank and was floundering on the carpet.
<Yeeikes!>
We quickly netted him with the large fine net kept on hand for him, and returned him to the aquarium.
There is only a very small space, perhaps 1 to 1.5 inches that he escaped through. I looked him over once he was back in as they are prone to problems from mouth and fin tears.
<Yes>
Unfortunately it looks like he "broke" his nose. The upper portion of the rostrum appears cracked at the bridge, about the equivalent of where a humans' eyeglasses would sit. He also appears to have a slight tear/swelling at the back of the side of the mouth.
<Not good>
Normally this fish, called Dick after President Nixon, swims with his mouth closed or only slightly open. Now he seems unable to close it to less than 1/8". I normally would take a picture to send, but do not wish to startle him more. He appears active and near his normal routine at the moment.
My next thoughts are to keep an eye on him and move him to a hospital tank if need be tomorrow to medicate with Nifurpirinol or tetracycline. Ultimately I may face the sad task of euthanization but would prefer to abate the issue if possible.
Thank you very much for your advice.
Regards-
Jake
<Only time can/will tell if this fish will survive with this breakage... No surgery or treatment is advised. Bob Fenner>

Bumps on long nosed butterfly   2/13/07
Hi
<Hello>
I have been reading your forum for a year now.  You have helped me with many problems.
<Glad to realize this>
The fish time
<Heeee!>
I got ich I started a QT tank and have used it ever since.
<Good>
I just purchased a long nosed butterfly and blue headed wrasse.  I had them in qt for 3 weeks now.  Everything was great until my wife noticed bumps all over the long nosed butterfly.  I know its not ich but I cant find anything on what it could be.  He is acting normal and eating great.  It almost looks like poison ivy if you ever had that.  My LFS said it could be bacterial and to treat it with Furazone green, which I already had.  
I've been soaking the Mysis shrimp in it twice a day.  The fish is still doing great but looks no different.  Would you know by my description what it could be.
<Mmm, I do suspect this is "nothing catching"... and would not have it deter me/you from placing this Forcipiger>
  Also, I always QT for at least 4 weeks.  If its bacterial can the wrasse catch it.
<Not likely, no>
  My QT readings are all 0 with nitrates at 20.  The tank is a 15 gallon that I do 2-5gallon water changes a week.  Thanks for your time
Dave.
<Nice to make your acquaintance. As stated, I would go forward with permanently placing this specimen. Not likely a condition that will spread, and much more to be gained by moving it. Bob Fenner>

Swollen Long Nose Butterfly  7/19/06
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
<Tamara>
I have struck a bit of a problem with my long nose butterfly. He has become quite "swollen" (the best way of describing it) around the top and bottom sections of his body. I have searched your site and have found nothing on this, only swelling around the eyes and mouth (which my fish does not have).
<Yikes... the condition is/can be termed "ascites", bloat... dropsical... many causes... some more primary than others... but something causing fluid to leave cells, tissues... and occupy intracellular space, body cavities...>
I took the fish, with minimal stress, to my fish shop after they said they have never heard of such thing and would need to see it. Consequently he put me on to your website. They do have an enormous amount of experience but said they have never seen anything like it and will look into it themselves further also.
Looking from behind; say the fish is 3mm in width; where it is swollen at the top and bottom, it is more like in excess of 10mm wide - like someone has pumped it full of air! It is still feeding and active - apart from the "swelling" it is behaving fine. Any reply would be greatly appreciated as I am rather concerned. Thank you.
Regards
Andrew Brown
Melbourne
Australia.
<It may be that there is a "simple" bacterial involvement here (from?) that can be thwarted with the application of one/some form of antimicrobial/antibiotic. If this were a very valuable fish or a bunch of them, I would avail myself of injectable material (Chloramphenicol succinate would be my first choice)... For home/hobbyist purposes, it may be that a water-administered product is best... a Furan compound: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/antibiofaqs.htm
and a search on WWM with the name. If this/these are not available locally or easily, do look into what you can get in the way of a gram-negative, broad-spectrum antibiotic... administer at 250 mg. per actual ten gallons of water... change a good part of the water out and replace, re-treat every three days for three treatments... Not in the main/display system... Bob Fenner>

Re: Swollen Long Nose Butterfly   7/22/06
Hi Bob,
<Tamara>
Thank you so much for your reply. My fish shop said your site, and your staff, would be extremely helpful and he was 100% correct. I will track down a antimicrobial/antibiotic today. Just for my own knowledge, will this, or can this affect the other fish in the tank; or is fish specific (i.e.. is it contagious and should expect more fish to become this way?)
<Not able to say, but generally such involvements are "not catching">
Secondly, was there a way of preventing this, or is it just a pure random occurrence?
Thanks so much.
Tamara
<Mostly the latter. One can do their best to provide optimized, stable conditions, good nutrition... and still have such incidents. Bob Fenner>

Longnose Butterfly 30 Jun 2005
I've had my yellow longnose butterfly (Forcipiger flavissimus) for about 3 months.  Initially the only foods he would eat were live black worms and frozen Mysis shrimp.  He started eating other foods pretty quickly, and eats anything I feed the tank except for Cyclop-eeze.  He's always been very active, cruising the tank and picking through the rocks.
I noticed a few days ago that he was staying in the back of the tank more, and swimming around less.  He has been eating less also.  I recently changed my lights from 2 actinic and 2 white to 2 white and 2 50/5o's so the tank is a little brighter.  The only other change in the tank has been the addition of a 2 inch long blue tang.  She doesn't seem to bother the butterfly at all, and neither do any of the other fish.  The butterfly still comes to the front of the tank at feeding time but then doesn't seem very interested in the food.
His color is good, he doesn't look thin, and he looks normal in every way except this change in behavior.  Any ideas on what could be going on with him?  I don't want to lose my favorite fish! <Do a google search on the WWM, keyword "butterflies" and/or "longnose butterfly".  Read the info along with the FAQ's on these fish.  I think you will find the help you are looking for here.  James (Salty Dog)>

Re: ailing butterfly thanks -- 6/31/05
have done so and didn't find anything similar to what I'm seeing.  My biggest concern is that he's gone from being a greedy eater to barely picking at the food.  any thoughts?  I was wondering if perhaps he could have a blockage? <I really can't answer the question on the blockage, I'd be guessing.  Being you've read the info and FAQ's on butterflies, you are aware that they are not the easiest fish to keep to start with.  Pristine water quality and a healthy diet are a must.  Live copepods would be a good start in triggering an eating response.  There are places on the web that do sell them.  James (Salty Dog)>

Longnose butterfly
My longnose butterfly has developed a dull red streak along its spine.
<Not good>
It is internal (not a surface scratch) as it is only visible when viewed from the side when the fish is swimming at the front of the tank i.e.. with light from behind.   I added a piece of artificial coral the day before, which I have since removed after noticing the redness on the butterfly.
<Do you think the coral affected your water chemistry?>
  I have fifteen other fish in my 200 gal, all look fine.  The butterfly is active and eating well.  
<Ah, good>
Could it be a toxic reaction from picking at the artificial coral?
<Maybe, but doubtful... if the coral was made for aquarium use... and your other livestock show no symptoms>
Are there any diseases that produce this symptom?  Please advise.
Thanks,
Peter
<A few diseases are associated with this symptom, mainly infectious (septicemic, bacterial, internal). Boosting the animal's immune system by food supplementation, improving water quality are important steps here. Bob Fenner>

Longnose butterfly
I feed it frozen Mysis, Nori seaweed and reef carnivore pellets.  Nitrate, pH, alkalinity are all fine.  It is still very active and eating well.  I was looking through Nick Dakin's book 'Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium' and found a picture of a longnose on p. 196 which has a similar appearance.   Hope you have that book.  I will pay close attention to feeding and monitoring the water.  Thanks.
Peter
<Peter, I would also include "Mega Marine Angel" or some other type of vegetable for the fish.  Good Luck MikeB.>
 

Sick Longnose BF?   03/07/06 Hi all!  I have another question for you fine folks. I just got my Longnose Butterfly and he has done great so far.  He eats very well, and he loves to swim around like he's strutting his stuff. <Is then> But i noticed today that he has a little red spots , at the base of his beak at both sides.  I attached a picture for you. <Unfortunately these didn't "come through"> I researched other pictures on the net and none of them had his little spots.  Is this something i should be worried about or is something that varies from fish to fish. <Some reddening does occur in Forcipigers... due to? Stress? From? In general this is not a sign to treat their system... unless it is affecting feeding behavior> His skin is clear right there and the red is underneath the skin.  Thanks for the help!! Nick <I would not "panic" here. Bob Fenner>

Re: Sick Longnose?   03/07/06 Sorry for the picture not going through.  I will try to attach it as a file this time. <No worries. And do see it here> Today it seem to be not as red as it was yesterday so maybe it was a "stress situation, upon arrival, into his new home.  He eats very well so i guess it is not a problem. <I hope not as well> I the picture can help. Or maybe it could help someone else since a popular fish.  Thank you very much for my newfound peace of mind. <Welcome. Do see the "blood mark"... appears to be well-defined... likely from a "bump" into something and likely will heal of its own accord. Cheers, Bob Fenner>