Blue Hippo Tang, Sick or prolonged stress?

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

Good afternoon everyone,

I have been reefing for the last 3 years with a successful sps/lps reef that includes many inverts as well as leopard wrasse, foxface, yellow tang, snowflake clowns, green mandarin, etc.

I finally decided to get a Blue Hippo Tang. He has been in QT for 2 full days at this point and has been sitting at the bottom wedged against different PVC pipes. Still alive, breathing, but seems to want to play dead. I have a camera setup to see if it was just when I was in the room but I haven't seen him active yet.

Parameters:
Temp: 77.1
SG: 1.025
Alk: 8
PH: 8.2
NO3: Less than 1.0
No levels of Ammonia or NO2 detected

I used water from my display tank to get the QT started. I have done 1 water change since the tang has been in there.
QT setup:
29g
Sponge filter
2 small powerheads for flow
HOB protein skimmer (had it laying around so I figured why not)
Plastic plants and pvc pipe
Bare bottom
Started lights on today for 8 hours.

Flippers4pups · Jul 19, 2020

HewFoE said:
Good afternoon everyone,

I have been reefing for the last 3 years with a successful sps/lps reef that includes many inverts as well as leopard wrasse, foxface, yellow tang, snowflake clowns, green mandarin, etc.

I finally decided to get a Blue Hippo Tang. He has been in QT for 2 full days at this point and has been sitting at the bottom wedged against different PVC pipes. Still alive, breathing, but seems to want to play dead. I have a camera setup to see if it was just when I was in the room but I haven't seen him active yet.

Parameters:
Temp: 77.1
SG: 1.025
Alk: 8
PH: 8.2
NO3: Less than 1.0
No levels of Ammonia or NO2 detected

I used water from my display tank to get the QT started. I have done 1 water change since the tang has been in there.
QT setup:
29g
Sponge filter
2 small powerheads for flow
HOB protein skimmer (had it laying around so I figured why not)
Plastic plants and pvc pipe
Bare bottom
Started lights on today for 8 hours.

Likely stress or parasite/disease.

Turn off all lights and use only ambient room light. Keep any and all activity around the QT tank to a bare minimum, sound and movement.

Tell me how you acclimated the tang to the QT tank.

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

thank you for the response.

I drip acclimated the tang over a period of roughly 2.5-3 hours.

Should I put some frozen food in? He hasn't eaten yet.

The 8 hour light is facing the wall away from the tank for ambient lighting. Tank is in the basement with no traffic.

As you can see in the pic, colors are good (light was for picture)

Big G · Jul 19, 2020

Was the fish shipped or did you pick it up at your LFS? What was the salinity level in the fish's bag?

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

Big G said:
Was the fish shipped or did you pick it up at your LFS? What was the salinity level in the fish's bag?

It was shipped from live aquaria. I would be lying if I said I knew the salinity of the shipped water. I figured slow acclimation would be all that is needed vs matching bag salinity then slowly increasing over time in QT.

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

Double post by accident.

fishguy242 · Jul 19, 2020

following,hoping just normal hippo ,weird behavior

Big G · Jul 19, 2020

The last few times I've received fish from LA the salinity was 1.014-5
Apparently it's pretty common from the comments and reports from others too. Could be your fish is suffering from osmotic shock from the change in salinity. Usually take raising the salinity slowly over several days. So matching the QT to the incoming salinity is key. And holding it there for a couple of days before slowly raising it.
Raising 0.001 each day is recommended.

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

HewFoE said:
It was shipped from live aquaria. I would be lying if I said I knew the salinity of the shipped water. I figured slow acclimation would be all that is needed vs matching bag salinity then slowly increasing over time in QT.

Thanks, after reading a few posts (prior to my posting) that is what I am hoping. Figured I would seek some knowledge just in case it isn't and I can get ahead of any issues. I recently had my first failed QT so it has me nervous (Anthias.... which yes, I know are hard to QT but still has me nervous).

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

Big G said:
The last few times I've received fish from LA the salinity was 1.014-5
Apparently it's pretty common from the comments and reports from others too. Could be your fish is suffering from osmotic shock from the change in salinity. Usually take raising the salinity slowly over several days. So matching the QT to the incoming salinity is key. And holding it there for a couple of days before slowly raising it.
Raising 0.001 each day is recommended.

Whelp, we are 2 days past that, (will take this advice in the future, so thank you!) Do we have any other options?

Big G · Jul 19, 2020

HewFoE said:
Whelp, we are 2 days past that, (will take this advice in the future, so thank you!) so any other options?

Not much you can do at this point. The fish is possibly suffering from the equivalent of the "bends" a diver can get. Often they slowly recover; but it's not uncommon for them to perish 2-3 days after being placed into the new higher salinity.
Could try treating with methylene blue. It's an old school "wonder drug" of sorts that can often help the fish's internal organs quickly. Could treat the QT or give it a bath. It will stain the plastics and silicone, just so you know. Best of luck with your beautiful fish. Crossing my fingers for it

Methylene Blue

What It Treats – Healing agent which treats ammonia burn, abrasions, cuts. Mild antiparasitic/antibacterial properties. Will possibly detoxify a fish that has been exposed to cyanide poisoning. Probably one of the best “first response” treatments for a sick fish.

How To Treat – Comes in both liquid and powder form, sometimes mixed in with another medication (e.g. Nitrofuracin Green Powder). So, follow the directions on the label. Generally used in a 30 minute bath at double dose, but you can also dose it directly into a quarantine tank. Aerate heavily.

Dosing instructions for using 2.303% Methylene Blue solution:

1) 30 min bath (preferred): 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per 5 gallons.

2) In a quarantine tank: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per 10 gallons every other day for 10 days with water changes before each treatment.

Pros – Highly effective “first response” treatment with minimal risk to fish.

Cons/Side Effects – Methylene Blue can destroy nitrifying bacteria (i.e. your QT biofilter), and will stain plastic, silicone, clothing, your skin, etc.

Flippers4pups · Jul 19, 2020

Yep, match the salinity of the shipping bag water in the QT tank is best. Temp acclimate while adjusting the salinity. Once the QT tanks water is at bag salinity, open the bag and in it goes. No need for a long drip.

Hoping for the best outcome!

fishguy242 · Jul 19, 2020

please keep us updated

Letterkenny · Jul 19, 2020

Sorry if I missed this but have you tried to feed or just asked if you should?

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

Letterkenny said:
Sorry if I missed this but have you tried to feed or just asked if you should?

Pretty much asked if I should try at this point. I normally wait for some normal behavior but at this point its going too long I think.

I have frozen mysis, brine, krill

fishguy242 · Jul 19, 2020

would try to feed something before you start process that big g stated,he is the dr you want to listen to!!

HewFoE · Jul 19, 2020

Alright, thanks everyone will let you know! Funny.. was so concerned about possible Ick and instead this crap happens.

Letterkenny · Jul 19, 2020

My experience with my blue in QT was that he acted dead all the time and his all the time. However, when food came out everything changed. He still plays dead in the DT by the overflow but once it eats, it all changes.