[sedgro]

Anyone else ever have a healthy, previously eating fish go on a hunger strike? At the risk of flames (and other unnecessary comments) my fish in question is a Red Sea Regal Angel that I obtained <<eating>> from Marine Center about 10-11 months ago. It had been an AGGRESSIVE feeder until last Saturday when it suddenly developed a shyness and seemed to forget what it liked to eat. Had been feeding vigorously on Mysis, enriched brine, nori, Angel Formula cubes (which has marine sponge in it), pellet (dry) food and others. Lives in a 125gal reef with a Naso and Purple tang. Everyone else eats and my water tests out fine (no ammonia, no nitrite). I should mention that I added another angel (small Chrysurus) that I have since removed because I was concerned that it was causing the problem. Regal still hasn't returned to its normal self - the other angel was removed two days ago. Any suggestions appreciated.

Sedgro

[Bughead]

I feel your frustration. I wish I had the answer.Here's the only thing I can think of, based on my most recent experience.

I had introduced a flame angel without pre-quarantine. Within two weeks, a previously healthy tank had an outbreak of ich. Although the flame, foxface rabbit and regal tang got a few spots, they didn't get sick, never stopped eating voraciously, and never even acted itchy. But my powder blue tang develloped ich from Hell, quit eating, lost his eyesight and died, even though I'd hospitalized him and he'd finished a treatment cycle. He'd never started eating again.

I'm wondering if the Chrysurus introduced a disease that is only adversly effecting the regal angel. I'm very ambivilant about removing a non-eating fish to a qt, especially if you don't know what's wrong so you don't know the appropriate medication. Sometimes the stress of moving will send them over the edge. I think this is what happened in Tangy's case. I put off moving him because I didn't want to stress him further, but he was so sick by the time I did move him, the stress got him anyway.

I dearly wish I had some real advice for you. Seems like when a fish quits eating, there's absolutely nothing that's going to entice him. Check for white spots and any other signs of disease. Let us know how it goes.

Also, write to Bob Fenner, www.wetwebmedia.com or robertfenner@hotmail.com