Dyin' Chromis

b0bab0ey · 01/03/2011, 12:19 PM

I bought 5 Chromis Damsels about two weeks ago, and put them in a 30g quarantine tank. One didn't look good in the bag (didn't notice this until after I got home). He looked pretty beat up... was all bent over and swam erratically. But the other 4 looked fine, ate fine, etc. Well, the beat up one died about a week after I got them and since then, I've lost two more. They both acted the same way before dying. First, they go hide in one of the rocks, breathing rapidly. Then they come out, thrashing about, swimming erratically... it's almost like they're going into convulsions. The next morning I find them dead on the bottom. The first one looked like it had "bruises" on his body, this last one looked perfectly fine even after he had died. Other than that, no external visible signs of any disease. The remaining 2 chromis are acting fine, looking fine, eating, etc.

I've checked my water parameters repeatedly, as my first thought was "ammonia poisoning". Always have 0 nitrite & ammonia, pH is 8.1 - 8.2. I've got air running to a powerhead to ensure there is enough dissolved oxygen in the tank. TDS Meter reads 0 on my RODI water. I've read that these symptoms could indicate internal parasites, flukes, even cyanide poisoning. Any thoughts?

davidwillis · 01/03/2011, 03:21 PM

5 Chromis Damsels in a 30 gal can cause problems. They are very territorial. Do you see them fighting? Do you have lots of hiding places? It may not be your problem though. It may be flukes like you said. If you get another one acting crazy, give him a freshwater dip and see if it helps.

There are much more knowledgeable people on here than me, so we will wait and see what they say.

b0bab0ey · 01/03/2011, 05:32 PM

Another chromis on the bottom of the tank, breathing heavily. Gave him a freshwater dip using RODI water for 5 mins. He perked up a little after I put him back in the tank but now is back on the bottom of the tank.

Having seen any of the chromis really fighting. And no marks/torn fins on them after they die.

davidwillis · 01/03/2011, 06:07 PM

did you see any flukes in the water after the dip? Maybe do the dip for a little longer?

b0bab0ey · 01/03/2011, 08:48 PM

He's dead now

Yogre · 04/22/2011, 12:30 PM

I've read that chromis are particularly susceptible to Uronema infections, and the bruising you describe can be a symptom of that disease.

I've never found any really effective treatment for Uronema, maybe others have heard of something.

P.S. Just realized this thread is pretty old, sorry about that folks.

01/03/2011, 12:19 PM	#1
b0bab0ey Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,564	Dyin' Chromis I bought 5 Chromis Damsels about two weeks ago, and put them in a 30g quarantine tank. One didn't look good in the bag (didn't notice this until after I got home). He looked pretty beat up... was all bent over and swam erratically. But the other 4 looked fine, ate fine, etc. Well, the beat up one died about a week after I got them and since then, I've lost two more. They both acted the same way before dying. First, they go hide in one of the rocks, breathing rapidly. Then they come out, thrashing about, swimming erratically... it's almost like they're going into convulsions. The next morning I find them dead on the bottom. The first one looked like it had "bruises" on his body, this last one looked perfectly fine even after he had died. Other than that, no external visible signs of any disease. The remaining 2 chromis are acting fine, looking fine, eating, etc. I've checked my water parameters repeatedly, as my first thought was "ammonia poisoning". Always have 0 nitrite & ammonia, pH is 8.1 - 8.2. I've got air running to a powerhead to ensure there is enough dissolved oxygen in the tank. TDS Meter reads 0 on my RODI water. I've read that these symptoms could indicate internal parasites, flukes, even cyanide poisoning. Any thoughts?

04/22/2011, 12:30 PM	#6
Yogre Cheesehead Reefer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,351	I've read that chromis are particularly susceptible to Uronema infections, and the bruising you describe can be a symptom of that disease. I've never found any really effective treatment for Uronema, maybe others have heard of something. P.S. Just realized this thread is pretty old, sorry about that folks. __________________ "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." ~ Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 215 gal TBS Reef

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01/03/2011, 03:21 PM	#2
davidwillis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 129	5 Chromis Damsels in a 30 gal can cause problems. They are very territorial. Do you see them fighting? Do you have lots of hiding places? It may not be your problem though. It may be flukes like you said. If you get another one acting crazy, give him a freshwater dip and see if it helps. There are much more knowledgeable people on here than me, so we will wait and see what they say.

01/03/2011, 05:32 PM	#3
b0bab0ey Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,564	Another chromis on the bottom of the tank, breathing heavily. Gave him a freshwater dip using RODI water for 5 mins. He perked up a little after I put him back in the tank but now is back on the bottom of the tank. Having seen any of the chromis really fighting. And no marks/torn fins on them after they die.

01/03/2011, 06:07 PM	#4
davidwillis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 129	did you see any flukes in the water after the dip? Maybe do the dip for a little longer?

01/03/2011, 08:48 PM	#5
b0bab0ey Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,564	He's dead now