Sigh...I have seen this look before

[banditpowdercoat]

Originally Posted by naesco

We can do our part by buying farm raised fish whereever possible. ie seahorses, clowns, regal tangs, pseudochromis, bangaii etc.

A closure of the fishery will mean tragic economic loss to the legitimate fishers which depend on our hobby to feed themselves.

If we stop buying known cyanide caught fish, the problem goes away because the bad guys have nothing to sell.

But if we have no proof that its cyanide caught or not. How can we quit buying them??? I for one will not, to the best of my knowledge, buy cyanide caught fish. But, even with a "stamp of approval" how can one be 100% sure, unless we start drug testing every fish?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

But if we have no proof that its cyanide caught or not. How can we quit buying them??? I for one will not, to the best of my knowledge, buy cyanide caught fish. But, even with a "stamp of approval" how can one be 100% sure, unless we start drug testing every fish?

Thats the problem and actually drug testing will not show anything. The cyanide does not stay in the fish long. By the time they are in the wholesalers tanks, the cyanide is gone. Cyanide is not something that keeps degrading a fish over time. It does its damage and then is expelled. The problem is that it does a lot of damage quickly that is irreversible. There is only so long a fish can survive without gut fauna or a working liver. This is why they generally will die between 4-6 months. I think some who come in less direct contact with the cyanide have a better chance obviously and do survive.

After a fish dies, it can be tested but it involves very expensive lab equipment, a lot of knowledge and putting the fish in a blender. Not something most LFS or most of us will ever do.

Officials in Hong Kong were trying to test for cyanide in groupers imported for food but it never worked out. Its thought that they didn't actually care anyways since the cyanide is not in the fishes system by the time it is eaten but they wanted to "look good" by testing. One of the big wholesalers of coral trout (for food) in Hong Kong even publicly said he did not care whether the fish were cyanide caught or not because the poison was gone before people ate them--kind of missed the point

I believe live fish are worth 4-5 times the amount of dead (whether for food or the hobby) so there is a big incentive for collectors...the problem is, with nets it can take all day to catch two coral trout (groupers) of the right size but with cyanide they can catch dozens and with little effort/cost. I know with large groupers they will scare them into the rocks and then squirt a bunch of cyanide into their face and simply pull them back out of the rocks. Unfortunately the size that is preferred for eating is right when the fish is becoming sexually active.

[fishoholic]

I've had my 1st CBB for a year and a half now he eats mysis and keeps my tank aptasia free. I bought a second one (in hopes of saving it) from a not so great source and he died two days later. I bought another one and he was eating mysis and was doing very well for a little over a month and then one day I never saw him again I guess he died and the bristle worms ate him, but I still don't know for sure what ever happened to him, just that he disappeared.

I will honestly admit that even though I know they have a poor survival rate I do plan on getting one for my other 230g. The CBB's eat aptasia and I hate the look of aptasia and therefor I will always try to keep one in my tanks. I will do my best to pick out a healthy one and I will not buy one that isn't already eating, and if I even remotely think it's cyanide caught forget it, but other then that...

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Anyone ever noticed a dark spot on their CCB before it died? I have seen this in a previous one and now in this little guy. Its kind of a darker area (easy to see on the white) about half way down this body. Its under the skin and almost looks like something inside him ruptured.

Oh and he is "swimming" upside down and sideways today

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Anyone ever noticed a dark spot on their CCB before it died? I have seen this in a previous one and now in this little guy. Its kind of a darker area (easy to see on the white) about half way down this body. Its under the skin and almost looks like something inside him ruptured.

Oh and he is "swimming" upside down and sideways today

I haven't noticed any spots before, sorry to hear your CBB isn't doing well.

[Rbacchiega]

GSP...can you grab a picture of it if possible?? Whereabouts on the body is the spot located??

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Yes I will try to take one tonight. The spot is kind of like a dark spot mid way down his body. Its only on one side.

He has now stopped eating and has slightly clouded eyes. I feel so bad for him. I think the last time he ate was about three days ago. Too bad because he had such a great appetite.

I know there is ich in the tank right now too (Hippo tang has it) and I am amazed the CCB has been able to fight that off so far.

Don't know if there is much I can do for him at this point. He is still swimming around but looks rough. Every other fish looks great and acting normal (besides Hippo who is rubbing a bit). Same old story as EVERY CCB I have tried.

Great for a few months and then suddenly its health deteriorates rapidly for no apparent reason. Certainly do not think he is going to make it and will not try another one.

[Whatigot]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Anyone ever noticed a dark spot on their CCB before it died? I have seen this in a previous one and now in this little guy. Its kind of a darker area (easy to see on the white) about half way down this body. Its under the skin and almost looks like something inside him ruptured.

Oh and he is "swimming" upside down and sideways today

totally...
I had almost thought someone had stung him or something as he had been eating fine up until one day, randomly, he started to act as you have described.
Never really considered it might be cyanide...

[untamed]

Eye looks cloudy also....

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by untamed

Eye looks cloudy also....

Yeah I mentioned that earlier. Both eyes were cloudy for a day. They are back to normal today but he still will not eat. I think its just a matter of days now