file fish hiding - update my fish died :(

Hi All: I've had my (not sure what it's called, it's multi-colored) file fish has started hiding and isn't coming out during feeding. I saw him yesterday and he came out for a bit but didn't eat much. He's usually the biggest pig among the fish. Has eaten a variety of food for some time.

He's now hiding in the rocks right above my pistol shrimp's burrow who comes and goes under him. No obvious signs of discoloration, spots, although I did note he seemed a little thinner yesterday than how he usually is. Should I just use a food enhancer? Could he possibly now be "tied" in somehow with my pistol shrimp? Sorry if that sounds completely bizarre...

The only change I can think of is the flood I had on Wednesday where I lost about 3 gallons of water which did drop my salinity. However, in hindsight, I haven't noticed him swimming around as much as usual.

Any ideas on what could be wrong?

 

How long have you had him, and what do you feed? Some fish will "pig" on whatever is available, even though it doesn't have the proper nutrients for their system, until they become weak and lethargic from malnutrition, which can take several months.

Also, how low did your SG get, and how quickly did you raise it back to normal? Changes should be made slowly- even corrections; otherwise, he could be suffering from a double-dose of pH or salinity shock.

 

it was down to 1.021 and I'm adding saltwater as top off so it's up to 1.023 at this point. I tried to raise it back slowly. I've had the fish about 7 months or so. I don't even see him tonight I feed flakes, and mainly Rod's food. I also throw in some brine and mysis along with a mixture "reef" frozen.

 

found it today after a few days missing I really liked that fish but I think maybe not eating or my diet wasn't varied or correct?

 

I'm sooooo sorry

 

booooooooooooooo

 

I know! *sigh*

 

I'm sorry OFK. Seems like you had a varied diet that's good.

 

Sorry to hear that

 

Sorry for your loss...

FWIW, your diet sounded OK; from what I can find, a standard variety of meaty foods and algae is fine for most filefish. The only thing I can offer is the possibility that he was more sensitive to the drop in salinity. While we have "general rules" for different species, pretty much anything can also vary by individuals.