Diseased chromis What to do?

Lyscer · 01/31/2006, 03:14 PM

So I introduced 2 chromis into my tank to see how they would do about two weeks ago. 1 of the chromis was pretty "shy" it would stay hidden in the rocks and wouldn't come out even to eat. The 2nd day it was in my tank I got a good look at it, and there were purplish spots all over it and it died that night. I made the mistake of purchasing 3 other chromis from the same place and they all have gotten the symptoms and I'm down to my last 2 chromis after 2 weeks. So here is my question, what can I do to stop this disease and get it out of my tank? It is basically like the chromis turn more white than blue and then their scales basically fall off where the disease is.

http://epudge.com/Dale/Tank/Fish/ChromisBattleWound.jpg

The only fish in my tank are snails, hermits and the 2 chromis. 1 dead one stuck in the depth of the rock work.

Lyscer · 01/31/2006, 03:17 PM

so 2 are alive and 1 is dead. (3 total in tank)

j0tca · 01/31/2006, 04:00 PM

Looks like hole in head diesease but I've only ever seen it on fresh water fish, Oscars, Pacu and other large FF fish.

HIH disease is incurable and fatal in fresh water fish. Their are some specific antibiotics that deal with it but I would be very hisitant to try them out in my tank for the sake of some damsels.

Lyscer · 01/31/2006, 04:17 PM

How do I stop it from spreading? After these fish die off will future fish get it?

Lyscer · 01/31/2006, 10:41 PM

anyone?

jun41 · 01/31/2006, 10:51 PM

I'm having really bad luck with chromis as well. I bought 5 on saturday and today there are only 2 left. I don't know if that's a disease, they look more like wounds from getting beat up by the other chromis.

If you search lots of people have had their chromis beat up on their other chromis. Something like that.

It sucks. I guess it's just bad luck. Wait it out.

zimmy1979 · 01/31/2006, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jun41
I'm having really bad luck with chromis as well. I bought 5 on saturday and today there are only 2 left. I don't know if that's a disease, they look more like wounds from getting beat up by the other chromis.

If you search lots of people have had their chromis beat up on their other chromis. Something like that.

It sucks. I guess it's just bad luck. Wait it out.

Bigger chromis will usually beat the crap out of smaller Chromis..just how they are. You will usually only have the 1 or 2 bigger ones left I noticed unless the tank is big.

j0tca · 02/01/2006, 07:54 AM

I doubt once the current fush die of wether any new ones will get it but I really don't know. Do you have any other fish than the chromis in there?

Pandora · 02/01/2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by j0tca
Looks like hole in head diesease but I've only ever seen it on fresh water fish, Oscars, Pacu and other large FF fish.

HIH disease is incurable and fatal in fresh water fish. Their are some specific antibiotics that deal with it but I would be very hisitant to try them out in my tank for the sake of some damsels.

It's not HITHD... his photo is of a patch on the top of the head. HITHD affects the lateral line sensory pores on the sides of the body and head. You can see some good photos if you go to my webpage and click on the Disease icon.

I don't know if the original poster is still dealing with issues, but this is a secondary bacterial infection of the skin. I believe he posted more than once and I answered it in another thread.

Lyscer · 02/01/2006, 10:26 AM

Pandora, yes you did but I could not find the other thread on it. I was also curious as to wether or not it would stay in the water or what other actions I could take against it.

And Chromis are the only thing in the tank:
tank info found here http://epudge.com/Dale/

Pandora · 02/01/2006, 10:40 AM

Hey Lyscer: I'm sorry I didn't give you the direct link to that thread! I forgot that they scroll off the page in the Disease forum really fast. Here it is:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=756932

Of course, every case is different, so it may not be exactly the same issue. When you say they are the only thing in the tank, anything else in there at all, like invertebrates? I saw a pic of coral there...

How are they doing now? Has the wound gotten any bigger, have other patches opened up elsewhere? How many chromis do you still have?

Lyscer · 02/01/2006, 10:48 AM

So is my main tank now infected with this disease forever more until I treat it? or once all of the chromis are out should it disappear?

3 chromis in the tank - 1 is dead behind all of my freaking rock
3 SPS corals - (2)Montipora Digita (1)Green Slimer
some Zoanthids
4 heads of Fuzzy grass mushrooms
1 Electric blue hermit
2 scarlet hermits
various turbo, bumble bee, asthea(or whatever) snails.

Pandora · 02/01/2006, 10:58 AM

It's not really that your main tank is "infected forever", but you should QT to avoid complicating things for now. Fish parasites generally don't last long in a dormant stage when there is no host (other fish) present; there are a few parasites such as ich that can "hang out" on inanimate objects (includes sessile corals) for debatable amounts of time. But generally, if you remove fish to QT, it breaks the cycle, especially when we are talking bacterial infections. Frequently the bacteria species aren't even ones that only cause disease... some are pretty benign, but are opportunistic and will take advantage of a fish that is stressed, weak or wounded.

So what is the situation now? Are the 2 chromis in the main tank doing ok? Do you have QT? I would try to remove the dead one from the rock if at all possible.

I ask the QT questions mostly in case things are getting worse, and you want to consider treatment (using antibiotics in the main tank not a great idea, it can cause a crash that can disturb the balance of your system). Not so much because of contamination issues.

Lyscer · 02/01/2006, 02:44 PM

They are looking weaker every day. I am going to setup my quarantine tank today most likely.

Chad-Man · 02/01/2006, 03:04 PM

For general FYI, chromis are a schooling fish and will generally fare much better in schools of 6 or more....... Years ago when I first had chromis in my tank I had one or two and always had problems, but when I went with a school of 8 they fared great and got some of my more lazy fish moving around.

Lyscer · 02/01/2006, 11:12 PM

Well I got home from work and both had deceased so I pulled them out and then pulled a lot of my rock out and got the one that was behind the rock... or at least what was left of him. So how long should I wait before adding others? And should I remove my carbon now?

Black Mammoth · 02/01/2006, 11:35 PM

Also, Chromis should be kept in odd numbers. I would go with at least 5. As Pandora said, you should QT them. It keeps you from infecting other fish and it is easier to treat them. QT at least for a week. I QT my Chromis for 2 to 2.5wks. They got sick in the QT and I was able to cure them. Now they are as happy as they can be in my main tank.

I admit QT is a pain and costs money (initial setup), but it saves you so much more in the long run.

01/31/2006, 03:14 PM	#1
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	Diseased chromis What to do? So I introduced 2 chromis into my tank to see how they would do about two weeks ago. 1 of the chromis was pretty "shy" it would stay hidden in the rocks and wouldn't come out even to eat. The 2nd day it was in my tank I got a good look at it, and there were purplish spots all over it and it died that night. I made the mistake of purchasing 3 other chromis from the same place and they all have gotten the symptoms and I'm down to my last 2 chromis after 2 weeks. So here is my question, what can I do to stop this disease and get it out of my tank? It is basically like the chromis turn more white than blue and then their scales basically fall off where the disease is. http://epudge.com/Dale/Tank/Fish/ChromisBattleWound.jpg The only fish in my tank are snails, hermits and the 2 chromis. 1 dead one stuck in the depth of the rock work.

01/31/2006, 03:17 PM	#2
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	so 2 are alive and 1 is dead. (3 total in tank) __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

01/31/2006, 04:17 PM	#4
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	How do I stop it from spreading? After these fish die off will future fish get it? __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

01/31/2006, 10:41 PM	#5
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	anyone? __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

02/01/2006, 10:26 AM	#10
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	Pandora, yes you did but I could not find the other thread on it. I was also curious as to wether or not it would stay in the water or what other actions I could take against it. And Chromis are the only thing in the tank: tank info found here http://epudge.com/Dale/ __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

01/31/2006, 04:00 PM	#3
j0tca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 916	Looks like hole in head diesease but I've only ever seen it on fresh water fish, Oscars, Pacu and other large FF fish. HIH disease is incurable and fatal in fresh water fish. Their are some specific antibiotics that deal with it but I would be very hisitant to try them out in my tank for the sake of some damsels.

01/31/2006, 10:51 PM	#6
jun41 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Burlingame, Ca Posts: 683	I'm having really bad luck with chromis as well. I bought 5 on saturday and today there are only 2 left. I don't know if that's a disease, they look more like wounds from getting beat up by the other chromis. If you search lots of people have had their chromis beat up on their other chromis. Something like that. It sucks. I guess it's just bad luck. Wait it out.

02/01/2006, 07:54 AM	#8
j0tca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 916	I doubt once the current fush die of wether any new ones will get it but I really don't know. Do you have any other fish than the chromis in there?

02/01/2006, 10:40 AM	#11
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	Hey Lyscer: I'm sorry I didn't give you the direct link to that thread! I forgot that they scroll off the page in the Disease forum really fast. Here it is: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=756932 Of course, every case is different, so it may not be exactly the same issue. When you say they are the only thing in the tank, anything else in there at all, like invertebrates? I saw a pic of coral there... How are they doing now? Has the wound gotten any bigger, have other patches opened up elsewhere? How many chromis do you still have? __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank

02/01/2006, 10:48 AM	#12
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	So is my main tank now infected with this disease forever more until I treat it? or once all of the chromis are out should it disappear? 3 chromis in the tank - 1 is dead behind all of my freaking rock 3 SPS corals - (2)Montipora Digita (1)Green Slimer some Zoanthids 4 heads of Fuzzy grass mushrooms 1 Electric blue hermit 2 scarlet hermits various turbo, bumble bee, asthea(or whatever) snails. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

02/01/2006, 10:58 AM	#13
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	It's not really that your main tank is "infected forever", but you should QT to avoid complicating things for now. Fish parasites generally don't last long in a dormant stage when there is no host (other fish) present; there are a few parasites such as ich that can "hang out" on inanimate objects (includes sessile corals) for debatable amounts of time. But generally, if you remove fish to QT, it breaks the cycle, especially when we are talking bacterial infections. Frequently the bacteria species aren't even ones that only cause disease... some are pretty benign, but are opportunistic and will take advantage of a fish that is stressed, weak or wounded. So what is the situation now? Are the 2 chromis in the main tank doing ok? Do you have QT? I would try to remove the dead one from the rock if at all possible. I ask the QT questions mostly in case things are getting worse, and you want to consider treatment (using antibiotics in the main tank not a great idea, it can cause a crash that can disturb the balance of your system). Not so much because of contamination issues. __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank

02/01/2006, 02:44 PM	#14
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	They are looking weaker every day. I am going to setup my quarantine tank today most likely. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

02/01/2006, 03:04 PM	#15
Chad-Man Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 180	For general FYI, chromis are a schooling fish and will generally fare much better in schools of 6 or more....... Years ago when I first had chromis in my tank I had one or two and always had problems, but when I went with a school of 8 they fared great and got some of my more lazy fish moving around. __________________ Chad Current Tank Info: 24 Gal Nano ... 125 Gal. Oceanic Reef Tank

02/01/2006, 11:12 PM	#16
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	Well I got home from work and both had deceased so I pulled them out and then pulled a lot of my rock out and got the one that was behind the rock... or at least what was left of him. So how long should I wait before adding others? And should I remove my carbon now? __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

02/01/2006, 11:35 PM	#17
Black Mammoth Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lovettsville, VA Posts: 434	Also, Chromis should be kept in odd numbers. I would go with at least 5. As Pandora said, you should QT them. It keeps you from infecting other fish and it is easier to treat them. QT at least for a week. I QT my Chromis for 2 to 2.5wks. They got sick in the QT and I was able to cure them. Now they are as happy as they can be in my main tank. I admit QT is a pain and costs money (initial setup), but it saves you so much more in the long run.