Blue/Green Chromis hiding in rocks

[jsiker]

I just purchased 6 blue/green chromis for my tank. One was DOA but the other five went through acclimation fine for the QT. Four of them were schooling around together nicely yesterday with one pretty much going into hiding in the nooks and crannies of the rock I have in the tank. It refuses to come out for anything, even to eat. Today one of the other chromis started hovering over/around it like it is trying to protect it.

I'm not sure what to do here in order to find out if the fish is hurt/sick/dying.

Any help would be great.

 

[Humblefish]

Notice any red sores or white mucous on any of the fish? Chromis are notorious for developing Uronema marinum.

 

[jsiker]

No. No sores or mucous, or any outward signs of stress. One of them is now pretty much at the bottom of the tank and swimming upside down and in circles.

I'm trying to decide if I should remove it now or wait.

 

[Humblefish]

One of them is now pretty much at the bottom of the tank and swimming upside down and in circles.

Could be cyanide poisoning (see quote below):

In their presentation, Umberger and Downs explained how they bought fish from retailers in five US states. Of the 89 fish they purchased, just over half tested positive for cyanide exposure, including 13 of the 16 green chromis tested—a species previously not thought to be frequently caught with cyanide.

Source: https://www.hakaimagazine.com/article-short/fishing-cyanide

 

[jsiker]

I actually had read about that a week or so ago, but hadn't put that together with the symptoms I am seeing. I bet you are correct in that.

I didn't see anything in the article stating that tanks the get the cyanide poisoned fish are in danger. Any thoughts on that? Should I remove the problem fish now before it passes and starts to decay in the tank?

 

[Humblefish]

I didn't see anything in the article stating that tanks the get the cyanide poisoned fish are in danger. Any thoughts on that? Should I remove the problem fish now before it passes and starts to decay in the tank?

Only traces of cyanide remain in the gills & organs, so I doubt there is much risk of it leaching out into the water if your chromis were exposed to cyanide.

 

[jsiker]

That makes me feel better. Thank you so much for the info.

Best forum for ANYTHING I've ever been involved with. You guys and gals are the best.

 

[Humblefish]

FYI; I would give all your chromis a Methylene Blue bath or dose it into the QT. There is some evidence that MB can detoxify a fish which has been exposed to cyanide. Its a gentle medication, so no harm in treating with it even if I am wrong about this being cyanide poisoning.

 

[jsiker]

Well the chromis that started showing signs of stress died overnight yesterday. The others all seem to be doing well though.

I appreciate all the help and advice!