Ann

My daughter's fish (which I'm taking care of while she's in college) seems to be sick and won't eat. I have cleaned the tank and replaced the filter but the fish hasn't eaten in at least 5 days. He was hanging around on the bottom for about a week but after I cleaned the tank he started swimming around again. He holds his fins up well but has lost his bright coloring and just swims slowly without much energy. Tried 3 different fish foods including some he used to love, and even tried frozen brine shrimp which he liked before. He seems to be fading away slowly. Any ideas what's wrong with him?

Skadunkadunk

Have you been testing the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels?

Gunnie

With him perking up after the water change, I'd say it might be a water quality problem. Can you post the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels for us? Also, how big is the tank? JD's get big and need at least 55 gallons. Let us know these things so we can help you. He can go without food for quite awhile, but it would be good to get him eating again. Can you try and entice him with live food like a nice live earthworm? Also, do you see any red or white spots on him?