mattic_7 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 We've had this fish for about six weeks in our 72B (fish only) and the last few days his color has been really clouded....it's almost like when he blends himself in with the rock at night but now it's all day too. The other concerning thing is he has two string-like pieces of mucus coming off of his body. He's eating about the same amount that he always has, so I don't think lack of food is the issue. He's not aggressive, so I'm wondering if he's just too mellow to be in our tank with some of these other fish...? We added a uv-sterilizer after noticing more algae than we liked and that's the only change other than the newer fish....anybody have experience with these fish or would like to offer advice? It'd be greatly appreciated! In the tank is a blackbar trigger, the hawaiian puffer, snowflake eel, blue-faced wrasse, pacific blue tang, and yellow tang (added in that order at two week intervals...two at a time). ...I'll add a picture as soon as I figure out how... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gill Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Sounds like you added your fish rather quickly. Not sure if I understand you right, but you added 6 fish in a month and a half? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Shot in the dark here... but check your water temp. I had a heater go out once and the water was really cold. A few fish didn't look their best when the temp dropped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gradth Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Read up on them, they are hard to keep and very sensitive to changes. We had one for a bit and it seemed great for a few weeks, then it just basically curled up and died. no real explanation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubberduck9 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Boxfish are extremly passive fish due to the fact that they are poisonous to most fish. When they are stressed and/or threatend they secreat a noxtious mucus. They should only be housed in a tank with passive/peacefull fish. He is definatley to chill to be in there with the trigger and tangs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattic_7 Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 All great advice -- thank you. We did get up to this full load rather quickly (about two months) but the tank gets weekly 10% water changes and a ton of attention from my husband. I had recently read about how sensitive they are, so gradth I think you're spot on. Paul @ aqua serene suggested some anti-parasitic meds, so just did that. Currently setting up our 10gal quarantine tank (again) and gonna try to de-stress him a little in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acuraguy55 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Make sure you run carbon in the tank that he is in just in case he released some of his toxins. They are known for killing off the whole tank. also double check the water chemistry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 DONT USE COPPER! it will kill it...be very careful with medicines...it is very hard on puffers/boxfish. Make sure he isnt being picked on, the slighest stress is bad. They are expert fish for sure. have saltwater and carbon ready.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.