Brooklynella Spreading?

Remmy · Mar 2, 2019

We had two clownfish die of Brooklynella about two weeks ago. We do not have a QT tank ( I know we need one). Everything else seemed fine for a little over a week. We have 2 Banggai Cardinals. One has sat in the corner and has not eaten or showin interest in anything since we got them (6 weeks?). The other was the best eater in the tank. Now it doesn’t eat at all. It’s color seems to be the same and they both seem to be breathing the same. Could it have Brooklynella as well? Or something else? They each like to sit in opposite corners of the tank. When all was good in the tank the one that ate well seemed to bully the other. We did get Paraguard delivered, but don’t have all the stuff to set up a QT tank. Could it be something else or Brooklynella?

Current fish
1 small yellow tang
1 mandarin
2 cardinals
1 cleaner shrimp
2 peppermint shrimp
7-8 emerald crabs
A few snails/ hermits
75 gallon tank
Tank has been up since the beginning of January
After that fish stopped eating we did a 20 gallon water change and also added calcium and magnesium

ngoodermuth · Mar 2, 2019

Unfortunately, brook doesn't just go away without treatment. As long as fish are present, it can continue it's life cycle and effect the fish in your tank. While clown fish are known to be prone to brook infestations, any fish can become ill or overcome with it. I know I'm telling you what you already know, but the best course of action would be to QT your current fish for treatment and allow your display to remain fallow (fishless) for at least 6-weeks.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brooklynella.247938/

RamsReef · Mar 2, 2019

Fortunently brook is treated with metro which is "reef safe" you could try in tank treatment.

Best practice is qt and fallow though, like @ngoodermuth states.

reef lover · Mar 3, 2019

I thought metro was only reef safe when bound to food with focus??

ngoodermuth · Mar 3, 2019

reef lover said:
I thought metro was only reef safe when bound to food with focus??

^^Yes, I would not treat in the water column in a DT. Soaking foods works only for internal parasites, brook will need to be treated externally.

RamsReef · Mar 3, 2019

That's why I put it in " "

I've added it to my tank with mixed results.

Others have added into there tanks with mixed results as well.

Remmy · Mar 3, 2019

Thank you everyone. I we will be setting up a quick QT tank.

vetteguy53081 · Mar 3, 2019

YOU WILL NEED TO qt AND/OR TREAT WITH FURAN OR NEOMYACIN. BROOK WHEN ACCELARATED IS A BATTLE BUT CAN BE OVERCOME. Also- increase oxygen.
What is current tank temperature?

Remmy · Mar 3, 2019

They are in the DT currently. Temp is 77.6. We will be setting up a QT with Paragaurd for now. We don’t have any fish stores that carry much SW supplies.

Remmy · Mar 3, 2019

We are working on getting a QT set up. In the mean time, we have been home all day and able to observe the fish better. This fish has been very active today. Swimming all over (just like it did before). The yellow tang seems to “swim at” it and follows it around (maybe chasing it?) I’m wondering if that is why it has stopped eating....

RamsReef · Mar 3, 2019

I lost my whole QT to brook recently because I thought it was velvet and or flukes. If you don't have to many expensive coral I would even consider dosing in main tank.

As I stated myself and others have used metro to fight Dino's in main tank, there is a threat of it on here.

Remmy · Mar 3, 2019

I do not have any corals, but there are shrimp/ crabs/ snails. I’m just afraid to move all fish to a smaller QT if the yellow tang is bullying in the big one

RamsReef · Mar 3, 2019

Well your call, but if it's brook you got like 0 time. Just letting you know.

Remmy · Mar 3, 2019

I know. Thanks for all the advice

RDMVann · Jan 5, 2021

I've lost all 3 of my fish to brook. Everything I'm seeing says my corals and cuc should be safe. I've seeing various responses to how long to go fallow, anything from 4 to 10 weeks. I of course want to play it safe, so will likely go the full 10 weeks but would be interested in any thoughts on that. My real question is there any reason I couldn't add a few corals during this time? Pics of my tank as of today.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 5, 2021

Go fallow at least 6 weeks. Preferably 10 weeks and treat an aquarium that has been infested with Brooklynella. They range from adding copper, malachite green, and other remedies, with some of those recommended being used in conjunction with formaldehyde. The consensus is that the best and most effective treatment for Brooklynella is formaldehyde alone.