Sick Kole Tang in Quarantine

RonMidtownStomp · 12/26/2008, 04:37 PM

Any chance for treating this guy? Anyone know what he has? Fortunately, he was slow and easy to get out of the tank. I'd love to save him.

I think I'm only buying fish from now on that are happily living in the tank of someone I trust. I've killed two fish store purchased fish (assuming this one dies) in the last week, both were alive for about 6-8 weeks then went downhill fast. Granted, my PBT has only been missing for a day, but I'm assuming he's dead, too. I've decided I'm willing to pay a premium for known healthy captive fish. Both fish were in separate systems, so their passing is unrelated unless my reef crystals have an anti-fish store fish poison in them.

He never was particularly happy in the aquarium, hiding most of the time and never ate aggressively. If he recovers in quarantine, I can try him in a different tank in case he isn't happy with the Red Sea Sailfin and the Blue Jaw Trigger (the only inhabitants of the tank other than peppermint shrimp, snails and blue leg hermit crabs.)

Water parameters were all fine. I took water out of the system he was in to quarantine him so the temperature and water parameters would match.

Thank you for any help you can provide,
Ron

buzzbombtom · 12/26/2008, 05:37 PM

you are losing fish that have a high mortality rate in captivity, there are things you need to look for when buying fish, one great thing to remember is that you need to ask the fish store to feed the fish before you buy them. go to the reef fish forum here and look for the difficult to keep fish thread, it should help you out. sadly im not one that is good with tangs, never had one but jim_s may jump on here and help you out.

RonMidtownStomp · 12/26/2008, 05:41 PM

The PBT is/was a pig, and I watched him eat before buying him. I knew both were risky. The Kole tang ate, too, just not aggressively.

Ron

P.Kelly · 12/26/2008, 05:52 PM

When Kelly Jedliki (sp?) came and talked, she said that from her experience, every single tang comes in with gill flukes, and many other diseases are inevitable. I'd highly recommend checking out her forums on marinedepot.com. The problem with some of the diseases and parasites, is that is may take 6+ weeks for them to die, as parasites consume much of the nutrients from fish that otherwise appear healthy and are eating...

RonMidtownStomp · 12/26/2008, 06:19 PM

Your Reef is recommending a product for treatment. I'll take their recommendation and see if it helps. Going to pick it up, now. I also need a new Alk test kit since I ran out yesterday.

How aggressive would ya'll be in treating the other apparently very healthy fish in the tank?

Ron

buzzbombtom · 12/26/2008, 06:45 PM

depends on what you think may be in your tank. and how willing you are to risk harm to coral/fish. if you think your tank has ich i would treat all the fish in some way or another.

RonMidtownStomp · 12/26/2008, 06:51 PM

See picture? Seems to match symptoms of fluke to me. I sure can't find good example pictures, though.

At Your Reef,
Ron

12/26/2008, 04:37 PM	#1
RonMidtownStomp You can edit this? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orangevale (Sacramento Area) Posts: 3,993	Sick Kole Tang in Quarantine Any chance for treating this guy? Anyone know what he has? Fortunately, he was slow and easy to get out of the tank. I'd love to save him. I think I'm only buying fish from now on that are happily living in the tank of someone I trust. I've killed two fish store purchased fish (assuming this one dies) in the last week, both were alive for about 6-8 weeks then went downhill fast. Granted, my PBT has only been missing for a day, but I'm assuming he's dead, too. I've decided I'm willing to pay a premium for known healthy captive fish. Both fish were in separate systems, so their passing is unrelated unless my reef crystals have an anti-fish store fish poison in them. He never was particularly happy in the aquarium, hiding most of the time and never ate aggressively. If he recovers in quarantine, I can try him in a different tank in case he isn't happy with the Red Sea Sailfin and the Blue Jaw Trigger (the only inhabitants of the tank other than peppermint shrimp, snails and blue leg hermit crabs.) Water parameters were all fine. I took water out of the system he was in to quarantine him so the temperature and water parameters would match. Thank you for any help you can provide, Ron

12/26/2008, 05:41 PM	#3
RonMidtownStomp You can edit this? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orangevale (Sacramento Area) Posts: 3,993	The PBT is/was a pig, and I watched him eat before buying him. I knew both were risky. The Kole tang ate, too, just not aggressively. Ron __________________ Back in a hobby with an island 4-side viewable 4' cube with center overflow. Old school SPS dominant with a nice zoa collection and a few chalices. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t

12/26/2008, 05:52 PM	#4
P.Kelly Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,828	When Kelly Jedliki (sp?) came and talked, she said that from her experience, every single tang comes in with gill flukes, and many other diseases are inevitable. I'd highly recommend checking out her forums on marinedepot.com. The problem with some of the diseases and parasites, is that is may take 6+ weeks for them to die, as parasites consume much of the nutrients from fish that otherwise appear healthy and are eating... __________________ Pete Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 170

12/26/2008, 06:19 PM	#5
RonMidtownStomp You can edit this? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orangevale (Sacramento Area) Posts: 3,993	Your Reef is recommending a product for treatment. I'll take their recommendation and see if it helps. Going to pick it up, now. I also need a new Alk test kit since I ran out yesterday. How aggressive would ya'll be in treating the other apparently very healthy fish in the tank? Ron __________________ Back in a hobby with an island 4-side viewable 4' cube with center overflow. Old school SPS dominant with a nice zoa collection and a few chalices. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t

12/26/2008, 05:37 PM	#2
buzzbombtom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,415	you are losing fish that have a high mortality rate in captivity, there are things you need to look for when buying fish, one great thing to remember is that you need to ask the fish store to feed the fish before you buy them. go to the reef fish forum here and look for the difficult to keep fish thread, it should help you out. sadly im not one that is good with tangs, never had one but jim_s may jump on here and help you out.

12/26/2008, 06:45 PM	#6
buzzbombtom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,415	depends on what you think may be in your tank. and how willing you are to risk harm to coral/fish. if you think your tank has ich i would treat all the fish in some way or another.

12/26/2008, 06:51 PM	#7
RonMidtownStomp You can edit this? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orangevale (Sacramento Area) Posts: 3,993	See picture? Seems to match symptoms of fluke to me. I sure can't find good example pictures, though. At Your Reef, Ron