Clown fish look like they are shedding

|sCRIBe| · Mar 12, 2019

I woke this morning and noticed that a couple of my fish look like they are shedding a layer of skin off. It’s like a white film type layer with white bumps and the black looks pale in color. One is moving slow and won’t eat appears to be breathing fast and struggling.

geddavis · Mar 12, 2019

That is not good.
#reefsquad

Crabs McJones · Mar 12, 2019

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

BellaCoop · Mar 12, 2019

Have you added any new fish into the tank recently?

|sCRIBe| · Mar 12, 2019

Crabs Mcjones said:
Brooklynella https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brooklynella.247938/

That’s what I am thinking also but I have no treatment available and I can’t catch them either.

BellaCoop said:
Have you added any new fish into the tank recently?

Sunday I added 5 blue chromis and 1 foxface.

ngoodermuth · Mar 12, 2019

Unfortunately, if left untreated it will undoubtedly take out fish... and quickly

Can you throw together an emergency QT? Even a large Rubbermaid container if that’s all you can find? Just need a cheap HOB filter, airstone/small powerhead, and a heater? And some biospira or other bottled bacteria, and hiding spots (pvc elbows work well)

Treatment is metronidazole (metroplex) Some have used it in-tank, but “reef safe” results can vary and it’s not recommended. You can give the fish a freshwater dip to help buy you some time to gather supplies/medication.

QT doesn’t have to be fancy, but it’s the best chance you have to save your fish, without tanking your tank...

Big G · Mar 12, 2019

+1 ^^^ this exactly. Sorry

Big G · Mar 12, 2019

Drastic measures: Ruby Reef Rally's mfg claims it to be reef safe. So if you are willing to risk it, you could carefully consider dosing the tank.

http://rubyreef.net/rally/

|sCRIBe| · Mar 12, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
Unfortunately, if left untreated it will undoubtedly take out fish... and quickly

Can you throw together an emergency QT? Even a large Rubbermaid container if that’s all you can find? Just need a cheap HOB filter, airstone/small powerhead, and a heater? And some biospira or other bottled bacteria, and hiding spots (pvc elbows work well)

Treatment is metronidazole (metroplex) Some have used it in-tank, but “reef safe” results can vary and it’s not recommended. You can give the fish a freshwater dip to help buy you some time to gather supplies/medication.

QT doesn’t have to be fancy, but it’s the best chance you have to save your fish, without tanking your tank...

Yes I can throw together an emergency qt and will do that today. I ordered formeldaline 37% off amazon today arriving tomorrow but maybe I shouldn’t use that and try metroplex? I don’t have time to wait for delivery so not sure where to get this. Also catching the fish is difficult since they won’t eat for a fish trap and when they see the net they hide. I have a 160 gal mixed reef. I’m headed to the lfs now to get what I can

ngoodermuth · Mar 12, 2019

Do you have a trap already? Roe season is in, check your local seafood market. That's how I caught all of my fish for QT, just clipped it inside my acclimation box with an algae clip and caught them one at a time. Otherwise, this is one of those... re-scape or re-purchase all of my fish... kind of decisions.

I personally don't care for formalin, because it's pretty harsh and a known carcinogen, but in an emergency situation it will do the job! Just take care while handling.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/formalin.290925/

Frtdrmrose7 · Mar 12, 2019

Brook kills extremely fast. Dose the metro at the higher dosage of 2 scoops per 10G. Time is not on your side.

A FW dip can offer some temporary relief while you get your QT together

|sCRIBe| · Mar 12, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
Do you have a trap already? Roe season is in, check your local seafood market. That's how I caught all of my fish for QT, just clipped it inside my acclimation box with an algae clip and caught them one at a time. Otherwise, this is one of those... re-scape or re-purchase all of my fish... kind of decisions.

I personally don't care for formalin, because it's pretty harsh and a known carcinogen, but in an emergency situation it will do the job! Just take care while handling.

Yes I have a trap already. I’m pretty sure my lfs has metroplex I’ll go that route first. Only my clowns seem to have this. Do I use water from my tank to treat them? What’s the full process for this?

ngoodermuth · Mar 12, 2019

Even though the clown are the only ones with symptoms (for now at least), all of the fish will need to be treated and the display left fallow for 6-weeks to get it out of your tank