Help with my Hippo

[happy camper]

Ok... I got a small Hippo Tang (very small), put it in my QT tank and figured out it had ich. I did the hypo treatment and actually was getting ready to start bringing it back up this weekend. Now for the past 3 days he has been mostly lying on the bottom and breathing really hard. I have checked the water: pH 8.2, ammonia 0, nitrates 0, salinity 1.009. I have done a 50% water change. What am I overlooking? By the way there has been a blue green chromis in with him the entire time (gf doesn't think "Freckles" would be happy alone

). Anyway that fish has been fine the whole time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[beth]

What have you been using to measure salinity? How long has the fish been in hypo?

 

[happy camper]

A refractometer. It has been in hypo for a month tomorrow

 

[beth]

Start bringing the salinity back up to normal levels using water from your display tank to replace hypo water in your QT. You will need to do this very gradually.
Do you have any hide items in the QT for your fish? Has this fish been eating and acting normal until a couple of days ago?

 

[happy camper]

Ok, I can do that. I do have hiding spots. Actually he has been extremely shy the entire time. He has been eating fine. Then about a week ago he got brave and started swimming in the whole tank, even eating with me standing in front of the tank. Then about 3 days ago he stopped eating and started lying on the bottom

 

[beth]

Is he breathing rapidly, swollen gills?

 

[happy camper]

He is breathing rapidly. Nothing looks swollen and his color is good.

 

[happy camper]

Every now and then its like he gets a burst of energy and moves around alot. When he swims he sometimes does it upside down or looks like he is bouncing on his tail

 

[beth]

Wow. Start treating with Maracyn Two.

 

[happy camper]

Ok. I can run and try to find some. What is it? What do ya think is the problem?

 

[happy camper]

Ok. Got the meds and put in the first treatment. Should I still do the water changes and raise the salinity while I am treating?

 

[beth]

Tomorrow when its time for the next dose of Maracyn Two, you will need to do a small water change. When you do the change, use water from your display, which is full strength salt water. This will bring the salinity up slowly wo any major water changes that might stress this fish further.
Also, keep tank lights off, except when you are attempting to get the fish to eat. At this point, I wouldn't even try that because the fish seems way to sick. Don't leave the tank in complete darkness, use lighting in the room during the day, and maybe a room light all night. Don't leave the fish completely in the dark, but don't use the tank lights.

 

[happy camper]

Thanks for all your help. Keep your fingers crossed!