Help! Very Sick Needlefish

[maloneranger60]

I have been taking care of my adult son's needlefish for over a year and he's been fine until about a week ago. he at first seemed to develop almost eye cataracts and is now pale and listless where he used to be jumpy and active. I noticed yesterday he has developed some red spots on his side. He is about 7 inches long and eats minnows. Any suggestions for helping this poor guy would be much appreciated!

 

[fluttermoth]

What size is the tank, what filtration are you running and what's your maintenance regime?

 

[maloneranger60]

Thanks for taking a look at this request...i've got a 20-gallon tank and i do a partial water change with an aquarium siphon every 7-10 days. Maybe every 2-3 months i do a total replacement and scrub out the tank. he is co-habitating with a big Pleco. the filter is an Aqueon Quiet Flow 30 and change out the cartridge every 2-3 weeks. it's the same maintenance regime i've done for the past year, though i am more faithful and regular the last 6 months.