Damsel killing chromis
- Thread starter RynoBrooks
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Rob's Reef
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Damsels are a pain in the butt. I had the same one a long time ago that was a little a**hole. He ended up living in my sump til I got rid of him... goodluck
The disease with the red vertical line is called uronema marinum. It is currently usually only found in chromis but has been seen on yellow tangs. From what I have read you can treat them with copper or other meds but they will catch it again as soon as they go back in the infected tank. I cupramined my entire 150g tank and so far 4 of 10 are still living. I had no inverts so cupramine was safe and can be removed rather easily with cuprasorb. It also has the benefit of wiping out other problems like brooklynella, velvet and ich. But again not reef or invert safe. Usually meant for QT tanks.
You can look it up but it is a nasty problem for poor chromis. Basically if your tank has it, it will forever unless treated. It does not need a host to survive like ich.
You can look it up but it is a nasty problem for poor chromis. Basically if your tank has it, it will forever unless treated. It does not need a host to survive like ich.
+1 for Uronema. I would never attempt to put another chromis or anthias in your DT; as those two species seem to be the most susceptible.
Uronema marinum:
Symptoms - These are the red sores often seen on chromis damsels. The disease seems mostly confined to damsels and clownfish, but I have seen some exceptions to that.
Treatment options - This is a very difficult disease to treat. Possible treatment options include: Metronidazole (ex. Seachem MetroPlex), acriflavine (ex. Acriflavine-MS), Chloroquine phosphate and copper. The problem is the fish can never be returned to the infected tank from which it came. Uronema is a “free living” parasite which does not require a fish host. So, going fallow will not eradicate it. Most fish seem protected from it via their natural immune system; but for some reason, chromis and some other fish are not always afforded this protection. Once a tank has Uronema, it must be assumed that the disease can survive in there almost indefinitely.
Formalin bath or freshwater dip may provide temporary relief for Uronema.
Uronema marinum:
Symptoms - These are the red sores often seen on chromis damsels. The disease seems mostly confined to damsels and clownfish, but I have seen some exceptions to that.
Treatment options - This is a very difficult disease to treat. Possible treatment options include: Metronidazole (ex. Seachem MetroPlex), acriflavine (ex. Acriflavine-MS), Chloroquine phosphate and copper. The problem is the fish can never be returned to the infected tank from which it came. Uronema is a “free living” parasite which does not require a fish host. So, going fallow will not eradicate it. Most fish seem protected from it via their natural immune system; but for some reason, chromis and some other fish are not always afforded this protection. Once a tank has Uronema, it must be assumed that the disease can survive in there almost indefinitely.
Formalin bath or freshwater dip may provide temporary relief for Uronema.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
Yes, another vote for Uronema marinum. The damsel is not to blame for these deaths.
I agree with humble and eatbreakfast, I have had this before with chromis and unfortunately it never ended well. Take this as an opportunity to learn proper QT processes. It can obviously add to the health of your overall DT but also lessen your frustrations when adding new fish. Most diseases are easily treatable in a QT which cannot be done in a reef tank. Very easy info to find on here. Good luck!
