Blue Damsel dying

[mhartley276]

Anyone have any idea what is killing this fish? Got this blue damsel about 5 days ago. 2 days in he started to look like he had white patches on top of head that looked almost like he was losing scales there. He wouldn’t eat so I moved him to quarantine tank because I thought he might have been bullied by my clowns. The white patches have turned into this brownish red color and it looks like skin is sloughing off. Still won’t eat and is breathing rapidly. I tried melafix for 2 days and today put Ichx in tank per LFS advice. If anything he looks worse now

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

#reefsqaud

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi, Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Melafix is more of a tonic than a cure for acute disease issues. Ich-X is malachite green and is used for freshwater protozoan diseases (less effective on marine fish).

This looks to me to be mechanical damage followed by a secondary bacterial infection. The not feeding and rapid breathing are really serious symptoms. The only thing I can suggest is to try a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic (like Maracyn 2), but to be honest, the way the fish is laying on the sand, and the symptoms it has, I don't think any treatment is going to be successful - sorry.

Jay

 

[mhartley276]

Hi, Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Melafix is more of a tonic than a cure for acute disease issues. Ich-X is malachite green and is used for freshwater protozoan diseases (less effective on marine fish).

This looks to me to be mechanical damage followed by a secondary bacterial infection. The not feeding and rapid breathing are really serious symptoms. The only thing I can suggest is to try a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic (like Maracyn 2), but to be honest, the way the fish is laying on the sand, and the symptoms it has, I don't think any treatment is going to be successful - sorry.

Jay

Thank you! I read that about the melafix, that it’s not really an antibiotic but an all natural treatment with tea tree oil. Unfortunately that was the only thing at Petsmart that said it would help with bacterial infections. I will probably just have to order something online antibiotic wise. But the little guy probably won’t make it until morning I guess it’s good to know though that it probably isn’t something that will affect my other fish. All other fish look great with no problems. I did see a pic of a tang with HLLE and it’s looks a lot like that. From what I read about that though it says it’s usually not fatal and this fish is definitely struggling. You don’t think it could be that do you?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That isn't HLLE, fish develop that syndrome over weeks to months and damselfish rarely develop it at all.

Jay

 

[mhartley276]

That isn't HLLE, fish develop that syndrome over weeks to months and damselfish rarely develop it at all.

Jay

Thanks again for your help! He didn’t make it

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

The same thing is happening to mine help, I got him four days ago from LFS. He's eating and swimming around not raely gasping though but the scales surround the white patch are leaving a grey color bright blue color though. Pls help"Jay Hemdal"!

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

anyone have any ideas? Pls help

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

anyone have any ideas? Pls help

Can you post a video of your fish? Also, background info is important, this post explains all that:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

So I got the fish about five days ago, Acclimated him and everything and was fine for the first couple of days. swam around and ate well then about 2 days ago it broke out. He's the only one in this qt tank and has live rock but no sand scales are missing with I with a white patch and then no flesh is exposed so its pretty clean.(white stringy poop to pls help gasping but swimming fine

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

"Jay Hemdal"!

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

help

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

Looks like this just with a blue damselfish and white patches.

 

[Spare time]

Thank you! I read that about the melafix, that it’s not really an antibiotic but an all natural treatment with tea tree oil. Unfortunately that was the only thing at Petsmart that said it would help with bacterial infections. I will probably just have to order something online antibiotic wise. But the little guy probably won’t make it until morning I guess it’s good to know though that it probably isn’t something that will affect my other fish. All other fish look great with no problems. I did see a pic of a tang with HLLE and it’s looks a lot like that. From what I read about that though it says it’s usually not fatal and this fish is definitely struggling. You don’t think it could be that do you?

Petsmart usually carries fish antibiotics

(whoops just saw the date lol)

 

[PlumbTuckered]

help

Maybe you can start your own thread instead of hijacking this one.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Looks like this just with a blue damselfish and white patches.

Can you please read the link I provided, and follow those instructions? We need video/pictures of your fish.

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe you can start your own thread instead of hijacking this one.

Doubtful, they can't even take the time to read the link Jay posted and provide the info needed to receive assistance.

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

sorry I lost him today