Originally Posted by
crimzy
http:///forum/post/2861696
I do have a CB, but unfortunately my having a CB for a few weeks hardly makes me an expert on the species. Depending on how long your CB has gone without eating, and how weak it is already, the chances are probably slim of it making it.
The fish no longer eating is not the problem, it's the symptom of the underlying problem. And, whether or not this guy makes it, you want to find out what the problem was and correct it if possible. Without even seeing the fish, and seeing your tank for the past week or two, any guess about the problem would be nothing more than speculation. Have there been any problems recently? Has there been any aggression among the fish? Water fluctuations (temp, chemistry, etc)? Have you rearranged the rocks, added new fish? In short, has anything changed in the tank that may have stressed this fish?
From your description, you don't mention any kind of disease/parasite/infection. Are the CB's eyes clear, colors OK, scales irritated? Are the fins/tail intact and full? With delicate species, I believe that there are simply individuals that sometimes just aren't strong enough to adapt to aquarium life long term.
Unfortunately, if your CB has stopped eating, is already showing signs of emaciation and weakness then it is likely too late. These fish are naturally skinny and going a few days or a week without eating can be too much for it to handle. I also think that transferring an already weakened fish to a QT, (assuming that you keep a similar QT to most), may have caused further stress on the fish.
Do everything you can now. Try soaking food in garlic. I could recommend various other foods but if the CB isn't going for anything, it is unlikely that simply changing the diet would do anything. Test everything in the tank and monitor the other fish to see signs of aggression/stress. In the end, this may simply end up being one of the fish that couldn't adapt to aquarium life.
Edit: Just read that you lost the CB... sorry to hear that.
Thanks for trying to help!
And there was no sign of any disease or parasite, and he had very deep color, and clear eyes.