Constipated Kole Tang?

lockus · 01/07/2010, 01:29 PM

My Kole tang looks like it swallowed a marble. This has been noticeably growing over the last 4-5 days. It still eats when fed and grazes constantly so eating is not a problem. I have never had any problems with this fish in the past and it has been in the tank about 2 years.

The tank is a 75 that has been set up for about 5 years. Never had any fish disease problems in the past. Currently the only other fish in the tank is a 13 yr old Purple Tang.(here come the police) Mostly mixed coral tank. A few Montiporia capricornis, ricordea Flordia, leather, a few acans, etc. etc. All coral health is fine and appears to be unchanged.

The only thing is I occasionally see my tangs nip at common brown button poylps feeder tentacles. Could this possibly be the cause?

Any advice or suggestions to make my fish "regular" is appreciated.

I will try to get a pic up today if I can.

-Ryan

sedor · 01/07/2010, 01:37 PM

Makes me think nematode worm, but I can't be certain. Maybe try and find some pics and see if it matches up.

lockus · 01/07/2010, 03:16 PM

I don't think it is worms but could be wrong. The reason I think it is not is because the fish is still eating normally.

Here are some pics. Sorry about the quality but taking pics of fish is not the easiest without dedicating some time to do so.

You can see the "bulge" more predominate on the right side of the fish than the left. The size of the fish is about 4" and the bulge is about the size of a marble.

lockus · 01/08/2010, 04:24 PM

Going to try selcon, vita chem, garlic soaked foods. Usually use these products but not all at the same time. Usually once a week for each product. Also going to pick up some Thera+A Spectrum pellets to feed with.

Any other suggestions, explinations are appreciated.

-Ryan

sedor · 01/08/2010, 04:28 PM

oh I see...I was imagining something much different. Wow, I have no idea what that could be. Hopefully a disease expert can chime in. If the fish is eating normally that's a good sign and I guess there's not much to do besides continue feeding well.

ctripi · 01/08/2010, 04:48 PM

Is the fish having issues maintaining its position in the water column?

lordofthereef · 01/08/2010, 05:54 PM

I doubt that it is a constipation issue. Generally speaking animals cease eating once they stop being bale to void their wastes.

lockus · 01/09/2010, 01:32 PM

Behavior is normal. Swimming and eating. Really see no difference.

Any other treatments without removing and QT, that are reef safe?

If condition does not improve in a few days I may treat with prazipro or Gel Tek Ultra Cure PX.

30% Water change tonight.

Sullyman · 01/09/2010, 02:21 PM

I wouldn't wait to try the gel tek, something is growing in that fish, mix it in food the tang will eat, it has pheramones in it that will stimulate feeding. I used it for a clown that had something, worked well.

01/07/2010, 01:29 PM	#1
lockus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The armpit of the U.S.A. Dyer (NW Indiana) Posts: 252	Constipated Kole Tang? My Kole tang looks like it swallowed a marble. This has been noticeably growing over the last 4-5 days. It still eats when fed and grazes constantly so eating is not a problem. I have never had any problems with this fish in the past and it has been in the tank about 2 years. The tank is a 75 that has been set up for about 5 years. Never had any fish disease problems in the past. Currently the only other fish in the tank is a 13 yr old Purple Tang.(here come the police) Mostly mixed coral tank. A few Montiporia capricornis, ricordea Flordia, leather, a few acans, etc. etc. All coral health is fine and appears to be unchanged. The only thing is I occasionally see my tangs nip at common brown button poylps feeder tentacles. Could this possibly be the cause? Any advice or suggestions to make my fish "regular" is appreciated. I will try to get a pic up today if I can. -Ryan __________________ Solving the world's problems one beer at a time. It does not suck to be me. Current Tank Info: 75 reef that is in the process of upgrading all the equipment

01/07/2010, 01:37 PM	#2
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Makes me think nematode worm, but I can't be certain. Maybe try and find some pics and see if it matches up. __________________ Ryan

01/08/2010, 04:24 PM	#4
lockus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The armpit of the U.S.A. Dyer (NW Indiana) Posts: 252	Going to try selcon, vita chem, garlic soaked foods. Usually use these products but not all at the same time. Usually once a week for each product. Also going to pick up some Thera+A Spectrum pellets to feed with. Any other suggestions, explinations are appreciated. -Ryan __________________ Solving the world's problems one beer at a time. It does not suck to be me. Current Tank Info: 75 reef that is in the process of upgrading all the equipment

01/08/2010, 04:28 PM	#5
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	oh I see...I was imagining something much different. Wow, I have no idea what that could be. Hopefully a disease expert can chime in. If the fish is eating normally that's a good sign and I guess there's not much to do besides continue feeding well. __________________ Ryan

01/08/2010, 05:54 PM	#7
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I doubt that it is a constipation issue. Generally speaking animals cease eating once they stop being bale to void their wastes. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

01/08/2010, 04:48 PM	#6
ctripi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Easy bay , ca Posts: 677	Is the fish having issues maintaining its position in the water column?

01/09/2010, 01:32 PM	#8
lockus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The armpit of the U.S.A. Dyer (NW Indiana) Posts: 252	Behavior is normal. Swimming and eating. Really see no difference. Any other treatments without removing and QT, that are reef safe? If condition does not improve in a few days I may treat with prazipro or Gel Tek Ultra Cure PX. 30% Water change tonight. __________________ Solving the world's problems one beer at a time. It does not suck to be me. Current Tank Info: 75 reef that is in the process of upgrading all the equipment

01/09/2010, 02:21 PM	#9
Sullyman Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Buffalo Grove, Il. Posts: 3,764	I wouldn't wait to try the gel tek, something is growing in that fish, mix it in food the tang will eat, it has pheramones in it that will stimulate feeding. I used it for a clown that had something, worked well.