is my dragon fish sick?

ok so i have a dragon fish in a brackish tank, hes really skinny and doesn't eat much, he is whiteish, and has red near his gills, and he always goes to the top looking like its to breathe. Any suggestions? is he sick? should i put in more rocks so he can get out of the light better? any suggestions will help

 

What are your readings for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte (actual numbers please)? How big is the tank and what other fish, if any, are in it?

-Chelle

 

If you are talking about a violet goby, then they commonly go to the surface for air. They also will fall back to the substrate as if dead. Their skin will appear pale. Make sure and provide some sinking food at the substrate level, which is where they eat.

 

They do like to have a place to hide out during the day where they can be completely concealed. Food wise, I've found that they really like frozen bloodworms and the like and prefer to eat just after the lights go out for the night.
Mine will occasionally go to the surface for air, but for the most part they stay on the bottom or in thier hiding places.
How is the salinity of your tank? There are actually a few subspiecies of dragon fish and some in fact prefer hard fresh water as opposed to brackish...