Beth or Terry or any heniouchus expert

[julie]

I have a b&w heniouchus and its spike fin seems to be turning into what looks like fishing line. It is about 3/4-1inch now, where as the rest of the spike looks fine. It is happening on the outside in. Any ideas? I is continuing to grow in length.

 

[beth]

Wasn't this fish sick not too long ago? What are you feeding it? How's the color and eating going?

 

[julie]

It is still eating great, no signs of ich and the coloring is still fine. I am feeding it frozen brine shrimp, spirulina flakes, and brine shrimp plus (dried). I usually soak the food in garlic or zoe. The fish is also swimming fine. No other signs of anything wrong, except the spike fin, as of yet.

 

[beth]

I would suggest adding more variety in to that diet. Perhaps even some fresh seafoods. You might also try zoecon. This could be a nutritional dificiency.

 

[julie]

Do you mean, like buying fresh shrimp/salmon at the grocery store? Or is frozen food from the lfs what you mean? Do you think if this is the problem, it will fix itself if the nutrition is improved?

 

[beth]

Salmon no, no oily fish [except perhaps some target feeding with fish that have HLLE]. Shrimp, squid, octopus, scallops, clam, conch, nori or seaweed selects, etc. Blend it in food processor or blender with a bit of zoecon and even a bit of fresh garlic. Then partition the mixture out in to portions. You can freeze about a month's supply but make sure that your mixture is really sealed well for freezer.
If you go to the seafood counter of the grocery store, ask them to fill out a 1/2lb container with whatever you choose out the selection there. Also, there is a packaged seafood mix sold at the grocery store that has a bunch of great stuff in it. People usually buy this to make seafood salads or oriental seafood dishes, etc.
Your fish will love you for it! And reward you with good color and better health.

 

[julie]

Thanks for the great advice, I'll go to the store tomorrow.