Help - freshwater dip question

[jkeithh1969]

Is it normal for a fish (in this case a juvi emperor angel) to lose coloration during the freshwater bath? I matched the pH and the temp, used Lee's recommended dosage for methylene blue 9 drops per gallon. I left the fish in there for 20 minutes and got worried because it was looked like I dipped it in Clorox bleach.

[leebca]

Many marine fishes alter their color intensity and/or pattern during a stressful situation. The dip is stressful to all fishes. I would not let the coloration be something to look for. Instead focus on the rate of breathing and signs of swimming improperly (e.g., upside-down).

20 minutes is certainly adequate for the majority of conditions that are cured or solved by a FW dip, so don't be too concerned if you think the fish can't make that full time of 30. Still, like written above, don't be concerned about coloration and instead focus on other signs.

[jkeithh1969]

Yeah, I read the freshwater dip sticky again and saw that about the pattern change and was hoping that was all that it was. The color looks back to normal this morning. I was mainly concerned because I don't have a pH meter or pen to check and was relying on a regular test kit and was afraid I had messed up but he/she seems to be ok this morning. Is it normal for a fish to not want to eat for a period of time after receiving them? At what point should I be concerned if it still hasn't eaten? I guess I have been lucky in the past, normally every fish I have purchased before eats right away but this is the first one that I have ordered online and had shipped to me. But I have to say marinedepotlive.com did an excellent job with the packaging and even put in extra heat packs for me when I told them it was going to be colder than normal here. Now the UPS delivery is a different story..but I'll save that for another time.

[leebca]

I am a bit concerned about using a test kit to measure the pH. They are not easy to read and not good for getting just the right pH. Some are made for saltwater, but might not give the same results when measuring the freshwater. Invest in a pH pen, would be my recommendation.

The wild caught fishes can live without eating for up to 6+ weeks. I'm not suggesting they should go that long. If the acclimation was optimally performed and not contributing to the settling down of the fish, and the QT process is in place with excellent water quality to also help the fish settle in, then without these stresses the fish has an excellent chance to begin eating quickly.

I'm unsure what foods are being offered, but stick to true sea foods for sure, providing some herbivore and omnivore foods. Try everything and anything. Once the fish begins to eat, then convert the feedings to the foods it needs in its diet: Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition

Luck is sometimes a factor in this hobby, but you don't want to count on it.

[jkeithh1969]

I have tried the following frozen foods... Sally's SF brand Frozen Reef Plankton, Sally's SF brand Angel and Butterfly, and Hikari's Mega-Marine Algae. May have to resort to frozen brine shrimp just to see if I can get it to eat anything. Also going to do a small water change today.

[weez1959]

Just my 2 cents,
I've had a lot of success in getting fish to eat with masago/caplin roe. Even some of the algae munchers will eat it. I even brought a small amount to my LFS to try on a batch of blue streak cleaner wrasses that wouldn't eat and they are gobbling up so fast it doesn't have time to hit the bottom. I feel bad for those little guys, I hope they make it
It's available at most Asian markets. If you can find it be sure to rince it first to get the color off.

[jkeithh1969]

I have no idea where to find that around here. I need some help identifing what is wrong with the new angel. I will post pictures maybe somebody can tell me what it is and how to treat it.

[jkeithh1969]

As you can see, it came in with the right pec fin pretty ragged and whatever that is just to the left of it....looks like some kind of parasite or something...apparently the freshwater dip didn't take care of it.

[weez1959]

Worth a try if you can get some
Sushi shop maybe...