Sick Fish... First one in Four Years

[elfloyd]

JennM;906185 wrote: Wow... that's an unexpected plot twist. I'm sorry for your loss. Any odd symptoms on the butterfly?

I am a bit surprised about this.

Only one thing I've noticed with the butterfly. I would see her early in the morning and late into the evening out in open water while everyone else is in their night time hiding places. (Territorial dispute?) This started with the move to the new tank.

Of course its easy to assume the Purple killed the Butterfly so I need to look for other causes as well.

Now we'll see where the story goes... Infection or healing of the Purple, and is the Purple becoming aggressive toward any other fish. I may put the Purple in QT to try to prevent infection when I get back home (and perhaps as a time out).

 

[jennm]

Could have been a territory issue, but usually moving to a new tank puts everybody on the same level playing field.

Of course, fish don't "read the books"... so who knows? Definitely cause for concern, that's for sure.

 

[elfloyd]

Closure... I hope.

I finally stopped traveling the first week in November, and that was the first time I could start any actions / cure.

First: Tank stats on 2nd Nov.
<ul>
<li>Salinity = 1.026</li>
<li>Temp. = 77.8 - 78.2</li>
<li>pH = 8.3 - 8.6</li>
<li>Ammonia = 0</li>
<li>Nitrates = 2</li>
<li>Nitrites = .25</li>
</ul>
(pH, Nitrates, and Nitrites are a little high)

Fish stats and symptoms up to 2nd Nov (while traveling).
<ul>
<li>Purple Tang developed cloudy eyes.</li>
<li>Royal Gamma developed same symptoms as the Purple Tang... blotches and cloudy eyes. He died.</li>
<li>Ditto for the Powder Brown minus the cloudy eyes.</li>
<li>Citron Goby also died... no symptoms noticed... just its skeleton.</li>
</ul>

Additional reading led me to think a parasite might be the cause. Hard to think a parasite could live so long without being noticed, and I am still not convinced parasites caused the problem. I've had these fish for 3 - 4 years. No new fish were added in a couple years... only CUC replacements and corals. But I had a hard time getting them out of the old tank. A lot of 'stuff' was stirred up when I removed the rock before getting them out. Perhaps they were weakened. I really don't know.... only a guess.

On 11th Nov I treated the tank with PraziPro (whole tank... not the best idea). After seven days the Purple Tang started showing signs of healing. The eyes were clear and blotches were getting lighter. No other fish showing symptoms.

19th Nov I lost the male Clown - no symptoms except for hovering near the bottom the preceding 24 hours.

23rd Nov I lost the female Clown - again no symptoms except she wasn't acting right.

23rd - 30th Nov: Traveling again... no further fish loss.

01 Dec: Started another round of PraziPro.

Today, 16 Dec. All looks well. No symptoms on any fish, no further losses since 23rd Nov.

I don't know what the issue was, and can only hope it's over. I don't plan on adding any fish back for another 60 days or so.

Today's fish population (and survivors) include:
<ul>
<li>1 - Purple Tang</li>
<li>1 - Flame Anglefish</li>
<li>1 - Sixline Wrasse</li>
<li>3 - Firefish</li>
</ul>

And.... here are before and after photos of the Purple Tang. Spots on the last photo are on the glass.

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[jennm]

Wow. Still somewhat of a mystery, eh?

The Purple made a remarkable comeback though - that's a victory, IMO.

Jenn

 

[elfloyd]

After four years you think you are not a rookie anymore.... but then something strikes you haven't been through and you end up scratching your head wondering what the...?

 

[jennm]

After 25 years there are still things that stump me. It just makes one realize how little we really do know, collectively speaking.

Jenn

 

[ralph atl]

That's awesome!

Fwiw, I've used prazi in my display 10-20 times over the years, can't remember how many.....lol.

Great job!