First sick fish in a while...help?

boobookitty · 11/21/2007, 09:01 AM

Hi...

I've had a reef tank for more years than I care to mention, and I've had my 240g tank for about 4 years now. The tank was great for most of that time, but it had a DSB that I believe eventually caught up with me. Over the span of about 6 months I lost a couple of fish and several pieces of coral, and finally bit the bullet to remove the DSB. I did that about 2 months ago, and the first month was rough, but I'm much happier and the tank is starting to rebound nicely.

I hadn't lost a single fish, or even had so much as a case of ich, in the 3+ years prior to the problems, and after putting the fish back in the rebuilt tank (19 hour day, whew!) I watched them closely...they seemed fine. This was a blue tang, a yellow tang, a vlamingi tang (shoot me, I love tangs ) and a couple of clown fish. After a month I bought 2 new fish to replace the ones I lost, a gorgeous powder blue tang and a butterfly fish.

Things seemed fine the first couple weeks, no noticeable health problems, but this last week I noticed two of the fish getting sick. The first was the blue tang, which was not a new fish...enclosed are a couple of pictures.

Looks like he lost some color around the eyes, and on his side there are a couple of slanted white marks. He seems to be fighting it off, but I'm concerned. Not a great pic, but best I could do.

The real problem is the powder blue tang, the last 4 days. At first I thought it was a bruise, but skin is sloughing off one side (and now seems to be spreading to other). Pics:

Any ideas? I'm not equipped for a hospital tank, but I don't want him to die, so I'll do what I have to.

For the record, the tank params are normal: 1.035 salinity, 8dkh, 425 Calcium, Mg 1300, temp stable at 81 degrees. The corals are doing well...mostly SPS, some LPS.

Any help would be appreciated...thanks.

Arthur

Blown 346 · 11/21/2007, 09:22 AM

I know the blue tangs as they get older there color will change. They most likely get lighter or get white blotches around there face eyes, and sides.

It almost looks like the Powder blue has a skin infection.

boobookitty · 11/21/2007, 10:48 AM

Thanks for the response.

Nah, for the blue it changed suddenly, doesn't look healthy, and there are the white diagonal marks on his body. I'll try to get a better picture.

For the PBT, yah, that's what I've been thinking. Should I just remove to a hospital tank and treat with antibiotics, or is this something he'll fight off himself? Should I remove all the fish and treat, if it's infectious?

Not a happy prospect...

Arthur

Blown 346 · 11/21/2007, 11:18 AM

I would take both fish out and QT. I would treat them, not sure with what since Im not real sure what they have.

boobookitty · 11/21/2007, 12:11 PM

That's my concern...even if I can get a hospital tank set up quick, what am I treating for? Use antibiotics and hope for the best? The PBT looks like a skin infection so that's probably a good way to go, but I have no idea what the blue tang has, except that it isn't ich.

Blown 346 · 11/21/2007, 03:41 PM

You could try to treat with MelaFix and Pimaflex. It is used to treat bacterial infections and fungal infections for both salt and fresh. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=11269

Maroxy would work as well.

boobookitty · 11/23/2007, 11:44 AM

Well, the good news I got him out of the tank. The bad news is that it was because he was swimming in a circle near the top. Struggled once netted, but he's not looking good. I started treating with antibiotics. What the hell is this?

11/21/2007, 09:01 AM	#1
boobookitty Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,340	First sick fish in a while...help? Hi... I've had a reef tank for more years than I care to mention, and I've had my 240g tank for about 4 years now. The tank was great for most of that time, but it had a DSB that I believe eventually caught up with me. Over the span of about 6 months I lost a couple of fish and several pieces of coral, and finally bit the bullet to remove the DSB. I did that about 2 months ago, and the first month was rough, but I'm much happier and the tank is starting to rebound nicely. I hadn't lost a single fish, or even had so much as a case of ich, in the 3+ years prior to the problems, and after putting the fish back in the rebuilt tank (19 hour day, whew!) I watched them closely...they seemed fine. This was a blue tang, a yellow tang, a vlamingi tang (shoot me, I love tangs ) and a couple of clown fish. After a month I bought 2 new fish to replace the ones I lost, a gorgeous powder blue tang and a butterfly fish. Things seemed fine the first couple weeks, no noticeable health problems, but this last week I noticed two of the fish getting sick. The first was the blue tang, which was not a new fish...enclosed are a couple of pictures. Looks like he lost some color around the eyes, and on his side there are a couple of slanted white marks. He seems to be fighting it off, but I'm concerned. Not a great pic, but best I could do. The real problem is the powder blue tang, the last 4 days. At first I thought it was a bruise, but skin is sloughing off one side (and now seems to be spreading to other). Pics: Any ideas? I'm not equipped for a hospital tank, but I don't want him to die, so I'll do what I have to. For the record, the tank params are normal: 1.035 salinity, 8dkh, 425 Calcium, Mg 1300, temp stable at 81 degrees. The corals are doing well...mostly SPS, some LPS. Any help would be appreciated...thanks. Arthur __________________ It's a reeftank thing; you wouldn't understand. Check out my little red house above for pics Current Tank Info: 400G custom Titan tank, 8 x Radion xr30w pro, zeovit, Reef Octopus SRO6000 skimmer, Ecotech MP60, 3 x Neptune Wav

11/21/2007, 10:48 AM	#3
boobookitty Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,340	Thanks for the response. Nah, for the blue it changed suddenly, doesn't look healthy, and there are the white diagonal marks on his body. I'll try to get a better picture. For the PBT, yah, that's what I've been thinking. Should I just remove to a hospital tank and treat with antibiotics, or is this something he'll fight off himself? Should I remove all the fish and treat, if it's infectious? Not a happy prospect... Arthur __________________ It's a reeftank thing; you wouldn't understand. Check out my little red house above for pics Current Tank Info: 400G custom Titan tank, 8 x Radion xr30w pro, zeovit, Reef Octopus SRO6000 skimmer, Ecotech MP60, 3 x Neptune Wav

11/21/2007, 12:11 PM	#5
boobookitty Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,340	That's my concern...even if I can get a hospital tank set up quick, what am I treating for? Use antibiotics and hope for the best? The PBT looks like a skin infection so that's probably a good way to go, but I have no idea what the blue tang has, except that it isn't ich. __________________ It's a reeftank thing; you wouldn't understand. Check out my little red house above for pics Current Tank Info: 400G custom Titan tank, 8 x Radion xr30w pro, zeovit, Reef Octopus SRO6000 skimmer, Ecotech MP60, 3 x Neptune Wav

11/23/2007, 11:44 AM	#7
boobookitty Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,340	Well, the good news I got him out of the tank. The bad news is that it was because he was swimming in a circle near the top. Struggled once netted, but he's not looking good. I started treating with antibiotics. What the hell is this? __________________ It's a reeftank thing; you wouldn't understand. Check out my little red house above for pics Current Tank Info: 400G custom Titan tank, 8 x Radion xr30w pro, zeovit, Reef Octopus SRO6000 skimmer, Ecotech MP60, 3 x Neptune Wav

11/21/2007, 09:22 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I know the blue tangs as they get older there color will change. They most likely get lighter or get white blotches around there face eyes, and sides. It almost looks like the Powder blue has a skin infection.

11/21/2007, 11:18 AM	#4
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I would take both fish out and QT. I would treat them, not sure with what since Im not real sure what they have.

11/21/2007, 03:41 PM	#6
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	You could try to treat with MelaFix and Pimaflex. It is used to treat bacterial infections and fungal infections for both salt and fresh. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=11269 Maroxy would work as well.