Another fish treatment question

[Gungo]

Hello,

Over the last few days, I've noticed most of my fish hitting the sand and scratching themselves with everything they can. This is not the first time they do that but I've noticed that some days they do it more than others. They do not seem stressed about it or breathing heavily and they never stopped eating but I know something is wrong with my fish. Nothing has been introduced to the tank for at least two or three months. Same fish population for probably six months. I've never quarantined anything and probably is late to take action but I am interested in starting a QT tank and doing things right. I have my doubts so I'm looking for a guide. I know that there is a lot of post regarding this but sometimes I get lost with all the information that is around.

My fish list is the following:

Sailfing tang
Scopas tang
Lawnmower blenny
Leopard Wrasse
Pijama Cardenal

1. Will the "parasite" go away on its own?
2. Should I take them all out to a quarantine tank or just leave them there living with the "parasite"?
3. In the case of treating the fish, will 76 days of a fish-free system remove all possible parasites on the display?
4. Which treatment should I use? (Prazi, copper, etc)?

Thanks

 

[bnord]

the experts will join in here soon but, questions regarding last fish added, (6 months) close observations for evidence of spots etc,

te QT system you have planned may become your treatment tank first (tomorrow?) and with a better diagnosis the treatment regime - but I would have copper bought, ready to go and a reliable copper test kit (like Hanna) ready to go
if it is ich, you will have some time to get ready if it is velvet the only chance is to start right away and the treatment tank has to be set up now. Velvet will include more respiratory distress than you have reported so watch for that

And yes, a fallow phase will follow

AND best of luck, hope, IF IT IS A PARASITE you caught it just in time

 

[MnFish1]

It would be nice to see pictures under white light if possible.

It could be any number of things. And I agree with @bnord to have things prepared to treat. It could be Cryptocaryon, velvet, skin flukes - or some other irritation (ammonia, etc) - do you have your parameters?

 

[SlugSnorter]

Hello,

Over the last few days, I've noticed most of my fish hitting the sand and scratching themselves with everything they can. This is not the first time they do that but I've noticed that some days they do it more than others. They do not seem stressed about it or breathing heavily and they never stopped eating but I know something is wrong with my fish. Nothing has been introduced to the tank for at least two or three months. Same fish population for probably six months. I've never quarantined anything and probably is late to take action but I am interested in starting a QT tank and doing things right. I have my doubts so I'm looking for a guide. I know that there is a lot of post regarding this but sometimes I get lost with all the information that is around.

My fish list is the following:

Sailfing tang
Scopas tang
Lawnmower blenny
Leopard Wrasse
Pijama Cardenal

1. Will the "parasite" go away on its own?
2. Should I take them all out to a quarantine tank or just leave them there living with the "parasite"?
3. In the case of treating the fish, will 76 days of a fish-free system remove all possible parasites on the display?
4. Which treatment should I use? (Prazi, copper, etc)?

Thanks

have you added any: rocks, corals, inverts, nems, used equipment or media, etc. recently?

 

[Gungo]

Nothing added. No changes to the system recently.

I uploaded a video. Fish seems healthy but notice the leopard wrasse. That's what all of the fish are doing. No white spots, no signs on the skin or body. Just scratching a lot.

Video

 

[SlugSnorter]

Nothing added. No changes to the system recently.

I uploaded a video. Fish seems healthy but notice the leopard wrasse. Thats what all of the fish are doing. No white spots, no signs on the skin or body. Just scratching a lot.

check all the params (including temp and salinity) and watch for any other symptoms, heavy breathing, "yawning", not eating as much.

 

[Gungo]

The tank is about 16 months old. All parameters are in check.

Salinity 1.025
Temp 26.1-26.5
Ph 8.2 to 8.5
Kh, Ca, Mg has been stable for the past months.

I've noticed them yawning too.

 

[SlugSnorter]

The tank is about 16 months old. All parameters are in check.

Salinity 1.025
Temp 26.1-26.5
Ph 8.2 to 8.5
Kh, Ca, Mg has been stable for the past months.

I've noticed them yawning too.

maybe flukes

 

[MnFish1]

Nothing added. No changes to the system recently.

I uploaded a video. Fish seems healthy but notice the leopard wrasse. That's what all of the fish are doing. No white spots, no signs on the skin or body. Just scratching a lot.

Video

I saw the wrasse - and some of the tang 'jerky' swimming - I cant see spots on the video (hate to ask) - but can you get some good still pictures? It could be non-specific irritation - or a parasite (early)/or skin flukes.

 

[SlugSnorter]

I saw the wrasse - and some of the tang 'jerky' swimming - I cant see spots on the video (hate to ask) - but can you get some good still pictures? It could be non-specific irritation - or a parasite (early)/or skin flukes.

fish were "yawning" too, I think maybe flukes since there are no visible marks on fish according to OP

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Nothing added. No changes to the system recently.

I uploaded a video. Fish seems healthy but notice the leopard wrasse. That's what all of the fish are doing. No white spots, no signs on the skin or body. Just scratching a lot.

Video

Slightly elevated respiration rate, definite flashing/scratching. Combined with the yawning, I'd say gill flukes. That said - tangs will sometimes flash against tank walls(glass) as an aggressive behavior and some wrasses will flash on the gravel to look for food.

Prazipro, dosed 3x, nine days apart with good aeration is the standard treatment. However, with egg laying species of flukes, it is difficult to break the life cycle, as prazi does not harm the eggs.

Jay

 

[MnFish1]

fish were "yawning" too, I think maybe flukes since there are no visible marks on fish according to OP

Yes - I agree. I didnt see that until after I posted. When I first posted I thought skin flukes - but that should not cause yawning - which I assume would be more 'gill related'

 

[Gungo]

More pics here :

 

[Gungo]

Better video here:

Video 2

 

[Gungo]

Slightly elevated respiration rate, definite flashing/scratching. Combined with the yawning, I'd say gill flukes. That said - tangs will sometimes flash against tank walls(glass) as an aggressive behavior and some wrasses will flash on the gravel to look for food.

Prazipro, dosed 3x, nine days apart with good aeration is the standard treatment. However, with egg laying species of flukes, it is difficult to break the life cycle, as prazi does not harm the eggs.

Jay

This means I can treat that in the tank or I need to take the fish to another tank to break the cycle? Thanks

 

[MnFish1]

Prazipro you can use in the tank - just be careful with the dosing - whenever I dose a medication - I always increase aeration. You will need to keep your skimmer either 'off' - or let it overflow. Also remove UV, carbon, etc - that could take the prazipro out of the water

 

[MnFish1]

More pics here :

NIce fish - I cant tell if the spots I'm seeing - are on the glass or the fish - but it looks like on the glass. Thanks for posting the pics - and your description initially was excellent IMHO

 

[MnFish1]

Slightly elevated respiration rate, definite flashing/scratching. Combined with the yawning, I'd say gill flukes. That said - tangs will sometimes flash against tank walls(glass) as an aggressive behavior and some wrasses will flash on the gravel to look for food.

Prazipro, dosed 3x, nine days apart with good aeration is the standard treatment. However, with egg laying species of flukes, it is difficult to break the life cycle, as prazi does not harm the eggs.

Jay

Curious - (for my and everyone else education) - seems to me - if you treated with Prazipro - until all of the eggs hatch - it would eliminate them?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nice desjardini
Often flukes are barely visible but last pics in batch shows what appears to be some
I prefer prazi treatment in a separate quarantine setting and monitor ammonia levels and use air stone as prazi will reduce oxygen and appetite
Treat for an 8 day period, change water and then one more 8 day treatment

 

[Gungo]

Thank you all for the support! I will plan and set up everything to start removing the fish from de DT and treat them in QT. As I am in the Dominican Republic getting the treatment medicines will take up to 10 to 14 days as I need to import them. I'll post updates and wish me luck.