PJ cardinal lost color.. Stressed?

[pristinephoenix]

The pajama cardinal I transferred from the quarantine tank this evening (coming out of a 6wk copper treatment for marine velvet) has lost a lot of his color. Normally this is a sign that he's not doing very well. However, the parameters in the tank I have transferred him into are terrific, and not much different from where he came from (10 gal quarantine treated with copper to 40 gal reef). I drip acclimated over the span of an hour, draining the water twice (in the acclimation bucket). I give him this: I'm sure he's stressed. I netted him quickly, but he's not in his own private tank anymore where he basically gets spoon fed. He's in a much larger tank where feeding is more difficult and he has lots of neighbors and rocks (and a scarlet cleaner shrimp he's not too fond of).. I'm considering leaving the light off for most of tomorrow to help with the stress. I also poured in some Fritz zyme #9 to help possibly reduce any of the stress. Can it just be stress why he is losing his color, and can fish regain their color intensity after a few days?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by pristinephoenix http:///t/396012/pj-cardinal-lost-color-stressed#post_3527480
The pajama cardinal I transferred from the quarantine tank this evening (coming out of a 6wk copper treatment for marine velvet) has lost a lot of his color. Normally this is a sign that he's not doing very well. However, the parameters in the tank I have transferred him into are terrific, and not much different from where he came from (10 gal quarantine treated with copper to 40 gal reef). I drip acclimated over the span of an hour, draining the water twice (in the acclimation bucket). I give him this: I'm sure he's stressed. I netted him quickly, but he's not in his own private tank anymore where he basically gets spoon fed. He's in a much larger tank where feeding is more difficult and he has lots of neighbors and rocks (and a scarlet cleaner shrimp he's not too fond of).. I'm considering leaving the light off for most of tomorrow to help with the stress. I also poured in some Fritz zyme #9 to help possibly reduce any of the stress. Can it just be stress why he is losing his color, and can fish regain their color intensity after a few days?
Stress can be a factor, as well as diet...I would just leave it alone to figure things out for himself. The dark is stressful as well, since he doesn't know where he can hide, and what fish has territory where. That information is available when lights are on. Not to mention that scarlet shrimp stays in his area in the light, but roams all over after lights out...and if the fish is already afraid of it, the dark wouldn't be the best idea. You have just the one??? They are so small, I always purchased a few cardinals at a time, so they had each other. He has had a rough go, give it some time to just exist without a giant (you) always looking in on him. I'm sure you are much more frightening then any scarlet shrimp.
Stop adding Fritz zyme #9 to the tank. That tiny fish isn't going to disturb the bacteria load, and it won't do a thing for stress.

 

[pristinephoenix]

Yeah and I have two family members that like to put their faces right up against the glass and move around a lot. Trying to keep them away from the tanks today too.
I just have the one PJ. I lost everyone else with the attack of velvet. He was the only survivor out of 5 others.
He did eat last night, some brine shrimp. That's his favorite. He was a little nervous but ended up nibbling around on stuff. I plan on definitely giving him his space for the weekend.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by pristinephoenix http:///t/396012/pj-cardinal-lost-color-stressed#post_3527490
Yeah and I have two family members that like to put their faces right up against the glass and move around a lot. Trying to keep them away from the tanks today too.
I just have the one PJ. I lost everyone else with the attack of velvet. He was the only survivor out of 5 others.
He did eat last night, some brine shrimp. That's his favorite. He was a little nervous but ended up nibbling around on stuff. I plan on definitely giving him his space for the weekend.
I'm going to say that if a stressed fish eats, it's going to be okay.

 

[pristinephoenix]

He's doing much better today. Maybe just a rough night! He's eating great and his color is back. Still hates the shrimp