HELP!!!! My SFE wont eat and it looks like he has a lump in his throat!

B

brandonsivek

Guest
I need any possible help yall. My snowflake eel who I have had for about 8 months all of the sudden started acting strange today. He is acting sluggish, and has what appears to be a lump in his throat. Also looks like there is fish slime coming out of his body that is making the sand stick to him. Also has a fast breathing pattern. This usually isnt the case. Here are my readings:
Temp- 79
ph- 8.2
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 10
Salinity- 1.025
Does anyone know what might be goin on? All fish are accounted for, the only other things in the tank are some Trochus snails, and a few hermits.
 

monsinour

Active Member
do these things eat hermits or snails? maybe he has one stuck.
OR
maybe you shouldnt be watching the movie 'ghost' where he can see it too.
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
LOL, I havnt seen that movie in forever! I dont know if they will eat hermits or snails, never had that hapen before (not to say that it cant though), I also have a Tiger Tail Cucmber, but he hides under the rocks all day. I cant find him right now, but that is nothing new. I will have to come in here later tonight with a flashlight. I cant see him eating that though, I keep him well fed on silversides.
 

monsinour

Active Member
is it possible that a silverside went in sideways and that is whats stuck? I have no experience with eels so I have no clue what to tell you. My first reaction to reading this was that it attempted to eat something that didnt go down right.
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
Well thats the thing, I was about to feed him when I noticed this, so I know its not a silverside. I fed him a couple of days ago. I feed him 3 times per week. I dont know whats going on, but i am worried about him. Will all the mishaps I have had so far with Saltwater tanks, he has fought threw it. I dont know, he is by far my favorite fish.
 

monsinour

Active Member
count your snails and hermits is where I would start then. Not sure what else to tell you. have you googled it?
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
Man, I have too many snails to count, but I know how many hermits I have, and I am still looking for one of them. As of now he is MIA. I googled it but couldnt find anything on it. Im at a loss.
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
Hey Gemmy, I am going to reluctantly be honest, yes thats all I feed him. Unfortunatly, because of what is going on, I just now discovered that they do not provide them with much nutrients. I guess I should have been feeding hin krill and squid as well. So, this is my fault. Is there anything to do for Goiter, or is my little buddy a goner?
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
So this just might be a wait it out type thing huh? In the meantime, if he starts looking a little better, I am going to buy some squid and krill for him. I hope he gets better. I bought him as a tiny little eel and he has gotten big since I have had him.
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
Okay, I read that soaking his food on an iodine solution might help, but the problem is going to be getting him to eat.
 

gemmy

Active Member
You might want to try to make the pieces small enough to syringe feed him. I would do the iodine soak for the food.
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
Thanks yall, I am going to get the necessary things tomorrow and give it a try. Wish me luck!
 
B

brandonsivek

Guest
Well, I got my eel some resh squid and clams, soaked them in iodine and garlic, and he still wont eat. When I put it up to his nose, he just backs off very slowly. He is also breathing VERY slowly now. I fear he is not going to make it.
 
Top